Health Information Technology Degrees & Programs

Program Overview

The A.S. degree program provides students with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of health science as well as the topics of:

• Health information technology
• Database management
• Health law
• Healthcare performance improvement
• Financial aspects of healthcare services
• Effective communication skills
• Other soft skills needed in the workplace

An A.S. degree in Health Information Technology opens the door to many areas within the healthcare industry, including management, medical coding, consulting, patient privacy and information security. Graduates of the program can enter the work force immediately or continue their studies at the university level.

The A.S. degree in Health Information Technology requires the completion of a 40-hour supervised, professional practice experience in a Health Information Management (HIM) related department of an assigned hospital or alternative healthcare setting.  The required hours are generally completed in a face-to-face environment with the student physically at the assigned hospital or alternative healthcare site.  Other required coursework for the program is completed online.

Select health information technology courses from the A.S. degree may transfer for students wishing to pursue a related bachelor's degree, such as the University of Central Florida's Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management. An Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be required for admission to the university. The A.A. degree is designed for transfer to an upper-division public college or university in the State of Florida.

Health Information Technology Handbook

View Seminole State's Health Information Technology student handbook to learn more about the program's degree guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• 2023-24 Health Information Technology Student Handbook

Accreditation

The Health Information Technology accreditor of Seminole State College of Florida is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for the Associate in Science degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2030.  All inquires about the program's 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.

Program Outcomes

In the 2022-23 reporting year, the passage rate on the Registered Health Information Technician exam was 47%.

In the 2022-23 reporting year, the associate degree program’s graduation rate was 13%. 

In the 2022-23 reporting year, 0% (based on two graduate responses) of graduates reported obtaining employment within one year.  Graduate placement rates for 2020-21 graduates indicate 94% are working in a degree-related field, continued postsecondary education, or are serving in the military.

Employer Outcomes

Accredited programs are also required to routinely survey healthcare entities that employ HIM professionals to assess employer satisfaction of graduates. CAHIIM requires a satisfaction rating of at least 80%. The employer satisfaction rating of “above average” for Seminole State graduates for 2022 is 100%. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Health Information Technology Program can embark on careers with hospitals, healthcare IT vendors, government agencies, the insurance industry and more. Opportunities in the field, including managing, analyzing and coding medical information, are expected to continue expanding.

Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population, especially in Florida, will require more medical services, and health information technicians will be needed to organize and manage the health information data. Prospects will be best for those who hold the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification. In 2022, the median hourly wage for medical records and health information technicians in Florida was $21.42 per hour ($44,560 annually).

Admission Requirements

All students enrolled in a nursing or healthcare professional program with a clinical or practicum component will be required to complete a full background check with drug/alcohol screening. Students are encouraged to review the clinical facility requirements prior to beginning their coursework.
Before requesting and paying for background check services, applicants with concerns should email the health professions career program advisor or call 407.404.6196.

Additional Information

Students are encouraged to visit a counselor or academic advisor for assistance with course selection, sequencing and scheduling. Financial assistance and scholarship opportunities are available. All services are free and available at each Seminole State campus. For more information, review the Seminole State College Online Catalog.

Program Overview

Medical coders/billers are usually detail-oriented, analytical and investigative. They like to read and thrive in the pursuit of medical knowledge. If you fit this profile, then Seminole State's Medical Coder/Biller Program may be right for you!

Health Information Technology Handbook

View Seminole State's Health Information Technology student handbook to learn more about the program's degree guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• 2023-24 Health Information Technology Student Handbook

Accreditation

The program is approved by the AHIMA Professional Certificate Approval Program.  This designation acknowledges the coding program as having been evaluated by a peer review process against a national minimum set of standards for entry-level coding professionals.  This process allows academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and private companies to be acknowledged as offering an approved coding certificate program.

What Does a Medical Coder/Biller do?

Medical coders/billers are integral members of the professional healthcare team. They are familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human body and disease processes and are needed nearly every time a healthcare professional treats a patient.

Typical responsibilities of a medical coder/biller include:

• Analyzing medical records and assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures
• Processing charges for patient billing, insurance claims and account management
• Tabulating information for health surveys, research studies and improved patient care
• Communicating with other healthcare personnel to clarify diagnoses or obtain additional information

Career Opportunities

Medical coders/billers impact several aspects of healthcare, including billing, reimbursement and statistics. Job opportunities exist for medical coding and billing specialists within hospitals, insurance companies, physician offices, managed care organizations and medical billing companies. Students who are unsure of their career path can research these opportunities on the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) Health Information Careers website.

Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission into the Medical Coder/Biller College Certificate Program, students must:

• Apply and be accepted to Seminole State College of Florida and complete the Steps to Enroll
• Successfully complete all prerequisite coursework prior to taking any core courses.

Additional Information

Students are encouraged to visit a counselor or academic advisor for assistance with course selection, sequencing and scheduling. Financial assistance and scholarship opportunities are available. All services are free and available at each Seminole State campus. For more information, review the Seminole State College Online Catalog.