Health Information Technology - Data Management Degree

Please see the CT State catalog for updated program information pertaining to the 2023 school year and beyond.

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE

Health Information Management Degree

The Health Information Technology – Data Management Degree provides an understanding of the many aspects of the emerging field of healthcare technology and information management. Health Information Technology professionals are involved in the design, collection, storage, utilization, and transmission of data required to meet the professional, legal, financial, and administrative record-keeping requirements of healthcare delivery systems. They work with clinical, financial, epidemiological, administrative, and coded healthcare and insurance data. This associate’s degree program will provide students the skills necessary to enter the job market as an Health Information Technology technician.

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

CAHIIM accredited logo

The Health Information Management accreditor of Middlesex Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Technology – Data Management has been reaffirmed through 2029-2030. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org

Students interested in learning more about program accreditation may visit the CAHIIM website student resources page at https://www.cahiim.org/resources/for-students.


NC-SARA LogoPer Federal Regulation, 34 CFR 668.43-Institutional Information for Disclosure for Licensure Program requires the institution to disclose whether completion of a covered licensure program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements in a State for that occupation.

  • Disclosure is not applicable to this program.  Professional licensure, certification, and/or education are not state requirements to work in Health Information Management.
  • Our program(s) lead to eligibility for nationally recognized professional certification(s) that are preferred by employers but not required by the state for employment in the field.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Graduates of the Health Information Technology – Data Management degree program are eligible to sit for AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) certification exam.

A credential provides proof of competency in the field and is often a requirement for Health Information Management positions.

More information about health information careers can be found in the AHIMA Career and Student Center at http://www.ahima.org/careers.

Health Information Technology – Data Management program outcomes for academic year 2020-2022:

Graduation rate definition: The percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who complete their program within 150% of the published time for the program. 

2021 Graduation Rate for first-time, first-year students: 18%
2021 Graduation Rate for transfer students: 33% 

2022 Graduation Rate for first-time, first-year students: 25%
2022 Graduation Rate for transfer students: 100%


Employment rate definition: The percentage of graduates from a program who are employed within a specified time frame (6 months).  Generally, graduates pursuing further education are not included in the total.

2021 Graduates Employment Rate: 100%
2022 Graduates Employment Rate: 66%


Retention rate definition: The percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who continue at that school the next year.

Fall 2020-Fall 2021 Retention Rate: 57%
Fall 2021-Fall 2022 Retention Rate: 50% 


4-year undergraduate program entry rate/Academic progression rate definitionThe percentage of a school’s graduates who progress to a 4-year undergraduate program upon completion.

2021 Graduates Academic Progression Rate: 50%
2022 Graduates Academic Progression Rate: 25%  


Certification exam pass rate: – The percentage of students who tested and passed the AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam for the program.

Pass rate for first-time test takes for RHIT exam dates 8/1/2020-7/31/2021: 100% pass
Pass rate for first-time test takes for RHIT exam dates 8/1/2021-7/31/2022: 33% pass

Note: Health Information Technology –Data Management students are required to complete an externally supervised Professional Practice Experience (PPE) during their last semester in the program. Learn more here.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of data content structure and standards to evaluate data sources, apply classification system guidelines including ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, HCPCS II, and SNOMED, and ensure health record documentation is complete and accurate.
  2. Protect health information by controlling access, ensuring information security, and understanding the legal and ethical issues in the use of health data.
  3. Participate in the implementation and use of information technology in the healthcare organization including establishing data standards, ensuring data quality, utilizing decision support tools, and performing data analysis.
  4. Utilize healthcare data to manage the revenue cycle of the healthcare organization through understanding of payment methods and systems in all care settings.
  5. Evaluate organization compliance with regulations and standards to support licensing, accreditation, and reimbursement.
  6. Apply information governance principles by collecting, storing, protecting, and using organizational data strategically, especially in performance improvement activities.
  7. Understand and apply knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy & physiology, medical terminology, computer concepts and computer applications as they relate to health information management.

OUTLOOK

Health Information Technology – Data Management graduates with the RHIT® credential are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce.  AHIMA completed a salary survey in 2019 and found the average salary for certificated Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT®) was $70,300 (AHIMA 2019 Salary Survey Report).

Additional salary information is available in the US Salary Survey Report: HIM Professionals in 2019.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for Health Information Technicians is expected to grow by 8% from 2019-2029. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm )

TRANSFERABILITY

The Health Information Technology – Data Management Degree program provides a fully articulated pathway to the Health Information Management baccalaureate program at Charter Oak State College.

JOBS IN CONNECTICUT

Health Information Technology – Data Management skills are in demand in a number of workplace settings, including:

  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Home Health Agencies
  • Insurance Companies
  • Physicians’ Offices
  • Long-term Care

Program Coordinator

Jill Flanigna
Jill Flanigan

Professor & Program Coordinator, Health Information Management
Phone: 860-343-5791
Email: jflanigan@mxcc.edu Indicates Email address
Office Location: Wheaton Hall, Room 313
See office hours here
Read Biography


Note About Financial Aid 
Federal regulations stipulate that a student may only receive financial aid for courses that count towards their degree/certificate. To comply with this regulation, MxCC must track the courses that a student is registered for that count towards their degree/certificate program.  Courses identified as not meeting program requirements will not be included in the calculation of financial aid eligibility. Pre requisites will be covered. This procedure is now in effect. Eligibility ceases once a student attempts 90 credits for a typical 60 credit program.


Becoming Connecticut State Community College 
STUDENTS: The Community Colleges are undergoing a merger with a plan to become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to select your courses accordingly. Click here for more details about this merger.