Health Information Technology

Associate of Applied Science Degree

(575) 527-7579

Health Information Technicians are counted among the many highly qualified health professionals necessary to meet the growing needs of the healthcare industry. One of the things that sets this field apart is that there is little or no direct contact with patients.

The following are a sampling of the duties health information technicians typically perform:

• analyzing and evaluating health records that comply with health information standards and regulations;
• compiling various types of administrative and health statistics for research and public policy planning and assessment;
• coding symptoms, diseases, operations, procedures, and other therapies for maximum reimbursement;
• transcribing medical records and reports;
• ensuring that health information is complete and available to legitimate users while protecting patient privacy and information security; and
• maintaining and utilizing a variety of health record indexes and storage and retrieval systems.

DACC offers a rigorous course of study to prepare graduates for employment as health information technicians. It includes computer literacy, professional practice skills, and life skills such as critical analytical thinking, problem solving, and good study habits.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have numerous options. Job prospects for HIT professionals are very good because their skills are necessary throughout the entire healthcare industry. Typical work settings are physician practices, hospitals, managed care organizations, long-term care facilities, behavioral health facilities, ambulatory care facilities, rehabilitation centers, home healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, consulting and law firms, skilled nursing facilities, and federal and state governmental agencies.

Associate Degree (67 credits)

NOTE: Courses appearing in italics are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.