Health Information Technology

        General Information for the H.I.T. Program

 The Health Information Technology (HIT) degree prepares the student for employment as a health information professional with the knowledge and skills to accurately code diagnoses and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients and to collect, maintain, and analyze clinical data in electronic health records that physicians, nurses, and other healthcare staff rely on to deliver quality healthcare. The HIT associate degree program comprises of the 49-51-unit coursework plus the general education courses needed to get the associate’s degree. Since the associate degree in HIT is a high unit degree (more than 60 units), it typically takes longer than 2 years or 4 semesters to complete. A 2-year time frame for completion would require taking a full load each semester plus summers.  Without any credit for prior learning, full-time students typically complete in 2.5 years, and part-time students complete in 3.5 years. The program provides training through didactic instruction and directed practice.  Facilities employing health information technology professionals include hospitals, ambulatory care centers, physician offices, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, medical supply companies, rehabilitation centers, managed care organizations, behavioral and mental health facilities, law firms, and insurance firms. Students are required to hold a valid basic life support CPR card for healthcare providers, complete a health clearance, and background check, and carry professional liability insurance prior to commencing their directed practice.

The Health Information Technology program accreditor of Saddleback College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associates degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2025-2026. 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.

• RHIT exam pass rate of 100%
• 83% of AY 2019-2020 graduates were employed in the healthcare field within 1 year of graduation
• 100% of first-time students who graduated in AY 2019-2020 completed the program within 150% time typically required to complete

REQUIRED STUDENT DOCUMENTS

• Initial HIT Procedures
• HIT Student Intake Form (download here & email to LHefter@saddleback.edu)

 For those applicants who do not reside in the U.S. :                                                                                                               
To enroll in the Saddleback H I T on-line program you will need to apply to the college  as a Non-Resident .  Do not  
check the "international student" option as that implies you would be attending classes on campus.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HIT Program Fully Online Courses in 8-Week Format now available

Accreditation and Certification

The HIT Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).  As a graduate, students are eligible to apply for writing the national examination for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).  For more information about the RHIT exam visit the AHIMA website.

Mission Statement

The mission of the HIT program at Saddleback College is to provide comprehensive and high quality courses that enable students to become proficient and innovative health information professionals, and to prepare students to pursue advanced learning opportunities in the health information field and become lifelong learners.

Associate in Science Degree

Completion of the minimum of 60 units including the total units in the major, and general education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 qualify the student for the Associate in Science degree.  A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College. 

To earn the Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Health Information Technology, students must complete BOTH HIT department requirements and General Education requirements.  A previous Associate Degree or Bachelor's Degree does not automatically meet general education requirements.  All outside transcripts must be evaluated toward Saddleback College's requirements.  In order to be eligible for the RHIT credential, you must earn the A.S. degree from Saddleback College. 

General Education Requirements for Associate Degree

Refer to the Graduation Requirements or to the CSU-GE and IGETC patterns in the course catalog for specific courses which meet general education requirements.  Refer to ASSIST.org and to the transfer institution's catalog for transfer requirements. 

***Don’t forget you must apply for a degree, certificate, occupational skills award, or transfer at Saddleback College. These are not automatically issued. You MUST apply for them. Please review the links provided below for further information.***

Graduation / Degree and Certificate Information | Saddleback College

Application Deadlines

Location: SSC 102 map
Phone: (949) 582-4555
Email us

Regular Office & Telephone Hours:
Monday - Thursday
9:00am to 6:00pm

Friday
8:30am to 2:00pm

The Health Information Technology Program (HIT) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

CAHIIM (https://www.cahiim.org(link is external)/)
233 N. Michigan Ave 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60602-5800
(312) 233-1100
Fax (312) 223-1948
info@Cahiim.org

***FAFSA***

Students may be eligible for financial aid. If interested in applying, please visit Saddleback College's Student Financial Assistance & Scholarship Office https://www.saddleback.edu/fao

FACULTY AND STAFF

Faculty:

Safiah Mamoon, MS, RHIA, CPC
Department Chair/Program Director
Health Information Technology
(949) 582-4974                                                        

Tracey Magrann, DPM, PhD., RHIA
Assistant Professor of HIT
(949) 582-4387

Staff:

Lori Hefter
Program Specialist of HIT
(949) 582-4731