HCTC to offer Health Information degree this fall

HCTC will start a new program this fall in the health field. Students can apply now for the Associate in Applied Science in Health Information Technology (HIT). This selective admissions program will be taught by Program Coordinator Stephanie Vergne and part-time faculty. Courses will be primarily on-line along with in-person experience working with a professional in the field of HIT.

The Health Information Technology degree will prepare students to work with health information technology interacting with physicians, health professionals, and financial and administrative staffs to ensure protection of information systems. Graduates will be trained to help determine health information budgets, resources, and policies utilizing current and accurate data.

HCTC received approval June 17 from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to offer the degree. HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner noted, This new program will fulfill a need in the region in the health information industry. Projected job growth in Health Information Technology is expected to increase by about 20 percent through 2018.

Dr. R. Kathy Smoot, Provost and Vice President of Academics, noted, Several healthcare organizations in the Hazard area have been encouraging the college to establish a Health Information Technology Program. In addition to the request from major healthcare organizations for this program, local professionals on the Medical Information Program Advisory Committee have expressed the need for a Health Information Technology program within our local community. The number of inquiries from potential students has also been growing steadily, and with the upcoming changes in medical coding and electronic medical records, those numbers are expected to increase significantly.

Academic Dean Anna Napier stated, Locally and regionally, this program will assist hospitals, out-patient clinics, and private doctor offices with meeting local workforce needs. Additionally, such a program will create opportunities for job retraining and continuing education. At present the closest health information technology program is approximately one-hundred miles from the HCTC Hazard Campus.

A total of 68 credit hours in the program include classes in: Medical Office Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Health Data Content and Structure, Pathophysiology of Human Diseases, Pharmacology for Health Information Professionals, and Legal/Ethical Issues in Health Information.

To enroll in this or any HCTC program, call 487-3102. For information about the HIT program, contact Anna.Napier@kctcs.edu or at 487-3090 or 800-246-7521, ext. 73090.