Health Information Technology Program

Are the HITT programs completely online?   

Yes, all courses are online with the exception of the clinical courses.  For the associate degree, two clinicals are required.  For the coding certificate, there is one clinical required.

Students will complete clinicals at an approved facility to practice skills learned in the program.  Clinical sites may be added to meet the needs of the distance learning students as needed.  Some travel may be required.

I am not sure that online courses are right for me?

With online classes, students do best when setting regular times each week for study and completion of assignments.  Having good reading comprehension, and taking the opportunity to ask questions, when necessary, is important in student success. The Distance Education department of Midland College offers the Smarter Measure tool.  Smarter Measure allows you to see how well you are prepared for learning online.   Questions on topics such as: how well you can use a computer; how motivated, organized, and self-directed you are; your preference in learning new information (learning style), etc.  Please visit http://www.midland.edu/students/academics/distance_readi.php for your free self-assessment.

What are the requirements for the programs?

• APPLY: Beginning Fall 2009, students will be required to apply to the HITT programs for all Certificates and the Associate Degree. The application is located at www.midland.edu/hitt
• TSI REQUIREMENT: Associate Degree students must meet all Midland College requirements, including complete TSI completion for Math, Reading, and Writing (unless exempt).  Students must show that all 3 scores have met the TSI requirements before being accepted into the Associate Degree by transcript evaluation or by the Admissions department.
• PREREQUISITES: Before students will be accepted into the Associate degree, students must complete with a "B" or better the following courses as prerequisites:
  • 1) HITT 1305 Medical Terminology,
  • 2) A computer application course (3 or 4 hour) from BCIS 1405 or ITSC 1409, and
  • 3) one semester of Anatomy and Physiology from courses BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, or Applied Anatomy and Physiology SCIT 1407, or SCIT 1408.
• OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Students enrolled in HITT Programs (degree and/or certificate) will require a background check, proof of insurance for the clinical semesters, current immunizations, drug screen, TB tests, OSHA module completion, and HIPAA and Confidentiality statements on file before Clinical Experience may begin.
  • Students that will not take any classes on the Midand College campus are not required to have teh Meningitis vaccine; however, if students participate in traditional face-to-face classes (such as English, math, speech, etc), they must show proof of the administered vaccine 10 days prior to the first day of the class.
• ON-SITE CLINICALS: Clinical courses will require students to visit facilities to practice skills learned in the courses.  Travel may be required, but students may complete clinicals at a facility near their home. (Associates Degree and Coding Certificate)

What computer capabilities do I need for these classes?

• It is strongly recommend that students have High-Speed Internet.  Dial-up connections may cause problems loading and completing assignments.
• Students should have a reliable computer with Microsoft Office that includes Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Student should have working knowledge of basic computer skills, i.e., email, internet surfing, and downloading files.
• More information can be found at MC’s System Requirements for Online Courses.

How much does the program cost?

*Estimates do not include insurance or proctored exam fees if applicable

(Estimate for academic year 2011-2012)

Tuition estimates are based on full-time hours for each program with the assumption that no previous coursework (general education hours) have been completed.  Book estimates are based on the purchase of new books.  Used books are sometimes available.

I am interested in the program. How do I get started?

1. Apply to Midland College online at https://www.midland.edu/admissions/application-form.php
2. Complete your financial aid forms at  www.fafsa.ed.gov
3. Request OFFICIAL transcripts from previous colleges attended to be mailed to the Admissions Office at Midland College (3600 N Garfield, Midland, TX 79705, ATTN: Admissions. Please NOTE on your application when the transcript was requested. Evaluation of the transcript may take the Registrar’s Office up to 6 weeks to review.
4. Once you have completed the above steps, contact Melinda Teel, Director of HITT Programs, at mteel@midland.edu or call 432-685-5573 for an advisement.
5. Complete an Admission Packet  to the HITT program after the prerequisites have been completed (including TSI requirements).
6. Contact the Financial Aid office to verify your status prior to the beginning of the semester.

Will my previous courses transfer to Midland College? 

For credit consideration, an official transcript must be sent to the admissions office for evaluation by the registrar. 

HIT program courses must meet the following requirements before transfer will occur:

1.   Transferring HIT courses must be from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
   *Transferring courses must have comparable course objectives equivalent to  

         MC Health Information Technology courses.
   *Transferring courses must have a minimum course grade of “B”.
   * Courses must have been completed within 4 years of starting the program at

         Midland College (exception HITT 1205 Medical Terminology).

2.  Computer Applications skills course must have been completed within 4 years (BCIS 1405 or ITSC 1409).

3.General academic courses within the HIT program must be completed with a “C” or better and be equivalent to current Midland College courses as proven by a Degree Audit done through the MC Registrar’s Office.

I am already working in the field of health information technology. 

Can my work experience be applied to my courses for credit? 

Students with experience in the healthcare field will be taken under consideration on a case-by-case basis.  Proof of employment on letterhead, a current resume, and job description are part of the requirements to request Life Experience Credit.   Clinical courses (HITT 2160 and HITT 2361) will not be waived, however, the number of clinical hours may be reduced.

I am attending MC on Pell grant and have vouchers to purchase books from the bookstore. How does this work?

Students shopping with vouchers:

1.  They must fax or e-mail back and forth with financial aid to get their signature on the voucher.

2. Financial aid then brings the bookstore the voucher and the student's schedule.  It is really helpful if the student e-mails the bookstore staff at bookstore@midland.edu (or select Contact Us, on the bookstore website, which is linked to the MC website) or calls to let them know they will have a voucher for their books. They also need the student's mailing address and phone number, which is not on the voucher or the schedule. 

It's very simple, but during the crush of students on Pell release date, sometimes the distance students get lost in the shuffle. Sometimes it's financial aid's fault, sometimes it's ours, and sometimes it's the students'.

The students who get the best results, contact the bookstore a week or so before voucher release date.  We have their books pulled and ready to go as soon as we receive the voucher. Additionally, they already have the student contact information, if the bookstore does not receive an expected voucher from financial aid.

What does a coder do, and how does a coder get credentialed?

Visit www.hicareers.com for more information about coding careers and credentials.  Students who complete the associate program will have these coding courses plus courses in computers, statistics, quality assessment, management and other competencies in HIM healthcare professions.

Do coding credentials waive the requirement for the coding courses? 

Students who have proof of a current CCA, CCS or CCS-P credential and maintain their CE credits while attending college may receive credit for the following classes: 

• HITT 1205 Medical Terminology
• HITT 1341 Coding and Classification Systems
• HITT 1342 Ambulatory Coding
• HITT 2335 Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies
• HITT 2340 Advanced Medical Billing and Coding

I am having trouble with my student account on Campus Connect.  What do I do?

Contact the Admissions office at:

https://www.midland.edu/admissions/contact for issues related to:

--Application to Midland College has not been processed - no

   confirmation email received.

--Campus Connect student ID user name and password

--Admission "holds".

(Email is preferred, but the telephone number is 432-685-4531.)

--Registration and cashier departments can be reached at

432-685-4513.

How long does the program take to complete?

The Certificates can be completed from one semester to one year, including the summer semester.  Associate Programs can be completed in two years, including summers. 

Many students choose to take classes on a part-time basis due to family, employment, or other obligations.  Courses are arranged so part-time students can complete the programs according to developed course progression.  For a part-time schedule, go to http://www.midland.edu/hitt/course_progression.php or contact Melinda Teel, Program Director at mteel@midland.edu.

When can I start the program?

Students who submit the application and complete prerequisites are accepted each semester for the HITT Associate degree and the Coding & Billing certificate on a first  come - first serve basis.  See Associate degree requirements above. Not all classes are offered every semester, so check with the program director for a course progression to stay on track.  It is important to follow the set progression because many classes have prerequisites, and some classes are only offered once a year.  Students are accepted each semester to fill open seats in the program.  (Note:  There is a four-year window to complete all required HITT courses.  Completing all supporting and prerequisite courses prior to admission into the program can be beneficial for part-time students.)

What if I miss the deadline for application?

If the program fills before you are accepted or you miss the deadline for applications, there are many courses that can still be taken to work on your degree completion.  These include coursework for your basic requirements such as ITSC 1409 Software Applications, both anatomy and physiology courses (SCIT 1407, SCIT 1408 or BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402), speech, humanities, physiology, and medical terminology.  If there are vacancies in any semester, students may be admitted.  Course schedules, upcoming enrollment dates, and course schedules can be found on the college’s main webpage at www.midland.edu.   By the way, enroll early because even supporting classes can fill up fast.

Can I get a job when I graduate?

The opportunities for HIM Professionals are growing each year.  There is a high demand for credentialed professionals, and it is expected that there will be a 49% vacancy rate by 2012.  AHIMA recently published an article that said the growth of needed credential professionals is 75,000 by 2013. For more information about careers in health information, go to www.hicareers.com.  Midland College works with students and communities to meet employment needs. 

There is a large demand for credentialed individuals.  With an Associate’s degree, a graduate may sit for the national exam, Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT).  Students completing the Coding Certificate are encouraged to take the CCS-P, (Certified Coding Specialist – Physician based).  By passing this exam, graduates are able to prove coding knowledge and competency in coding and billing. 

To read more credentialing exam opportunities and requirements, go to www.ahima.org.

Notice*

As future health information technicians, transcriptionists, and coders, there are important ethical and professional considerations of which you should be aware.  Felony convictions may prevent your from being placed for professional practice experiences in health care facilities and other types of organizations (e.g., insurance companies).  Felony convictions may also preclude you from obtaining gainful employment as a health information technician or coder.  Even after obtaining your professional credential (e.g., RHIT, CPC, CCS, and so on) convictions of such crimes may cause your credential to be suspended or revoked.  It is, therefore, very important that you conduct yourself professionally and ethically as a law abiding citizen.