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.  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.

• RHIT exam pass rate of 100%

• 90% retention of students in the program and 10% attrition

• 100% overall satisfaction of employers and graduates based upon responses received

REQUIRED STUDENT DOCUMENTS

• Initial HIT Procedures
• HIT Student Entrance 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

Fall 2018 HIT Program Fully Online Courses in 8-Week Format now available

Health Information Technology (HIT) Information Meeting

TBD  No reservations necessary.

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. 

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