Health Information Management Technology (AAS) (HI13)  Degree


The Health Information Technology program is a sequence of courses designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and skills necessary to process, maintain, analyze, and report health information data according to legal, accreditation, licensure and certification standards for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assessment and research; program graduates will develop leadership skills necessary to serve in a functional supervisory role in various components of the health information system.

General Education Core (15 Credits)
Area I: Language Arts/Communication (3 Credits)
ENGL 1101
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010

Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice revision and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences (Choose ONE course below.) (3 Credits)
ECON 1101

Provides a description and analysis of economic operations in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of economic concepts and policies as they apply to everyday life. Topics include basic economic principles; economic forces and indicators; capital and labor; price competition and monopoly; money and banking; government expenditures federal and local; fluctuations in production employment and income; and United States economy in perspective

3
ECON 2105

Provides a description and analysis of macroeconomic principles and policies. Topics include basic economic principles macroeconomic concepts equilibrium in the goods and money markets macroeconomic equilibrium and the impact of fiscal and monetary policies.

3
ECON 2106

Provides an analysis of the ways in which consumers and business firms interact in a market economy. Topics include basic economic principles consumer choice behavior of profit maximizing firms modeling of perfect competition monopoly oligopoly and monopolistic competition.

3
HIST 1111

Emphasizes the study of intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from the prehistoric era to early modern times. Topics include the Prehistoric Era the Ancient Near East, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, Ancient Africa, Islam, the Americas, Japan, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.

3
HIST 1112

Emphasizes the study of intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from the prehistoric era to early modern times. Topics include the Prehistoric Era the Ancient Near East, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, Ancient Africa, Islam, the Americas, Japan, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.

3
HIST 2111

Emphasizes the study of U. S. History to 1877 to include the post-Civil War period. The course focuses on the period from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War to include geographical intellectual political economic and cultural development of the American people. It includes the history of Georgia and its constitutional development. Topics include colonization and expansion; the Revolutionary Era; the New Nation; nationalism sectionalism and reform; the Era of Expansion; and crisis Civil War and reconstruction.

3
HIST 2112

Emphasizes the study of the social cultural and political history of the United States from 1865 to the beginning of the twenty-first century and will equip the student to better understand the problems and challenges of the contemporary world in relation to events and trends in modern American history. The course also provides an overview of the history of Georgia and the development of its constitution. Topics include the Reconstruction Period; the great West the new South and the rise of the debtor; the Gilded Age; the progressive movement; the emergence of the U. S. in world affairs; the Roaring Twenties; the Great Depression; World War II; the Cold War and the 1950*s; the 1960*s and 1970*s; and America since 1980.

3
POLS 1101

Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework federalism civil liberties and civil rights public opinion the media special interest groups political parties and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include foundations of government political behavior and governing institutions.

3
PSYC 1101

Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design the organization and operation of the nervous system sensation and perception learning and memory motivation and emotion thinking and intelligence lifespan development personality psychopathology and interventions stress and health and social psychology.

3
SOCI 1101

Explores the sociological analysis of society its culture and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts socialization social interaction and culture social groups and institutions deviance and social control social stratification social change and marriage and family.

3
Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Credits)
MATH 1127

Emphasizes the concepts and methods fundamental to utilizing and interpreting commonly used statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics basic probability discrete and continuous distributions sampling distributions hypothesis testing chi square tests and linear regression.

3
Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts (Choose ONE course below.) (3 Credits)
ARTS 1101

Explores the visual arts and the relationship to human needs and aspirations. Students investigate the value of art, themes in art, the elements and principles of composition, and the materials and processes used for artistic expression. Well-known works of visual art are explored. The course encourages student interest in the visual arts beyond the classroom.

3
ENGL 2130
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.

3
HUMN 1101
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Explores the philosophic and artistic heritage of humanity expressed through a historical perspective on visual arts music and literature. The humanities provide insight into people and society. Topics include historical and cultural developments contributions of the humanities and research.

3
MUSC 1101

Explores the formal elements of musical composition, musical form and style, and the relationship of music to historical periods. The course includes listening and analysis of well known works of music. This course encourages student interest in musical arts beyond the classroom.

3
RELG 1101
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Introduction to World Religions is a survey course of the history, practice, and modern relevance of the world's religious traditions. Through the study of religion and its influence on history and culture, greater insight and understanding of diverse populations can be attained. Topics include an overview of significant religious traditions from around the world, critical analysis of the relationships between religions and artistic traditions, and critical analysis of the influence of religion on culture, politics, and history.

3
Elective: General Education (Choose ONE course option below). (3 Credits)
ENGL 1102
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Emphasizes the student's ability to read literature analytically and meaningfully and to communicate clearly. Students analyze the form and content of literature in historical and philosophical contexts. Topics include reading and analysis of fiction, poetry, and drama; research; and writing about literature.

3
SPCH 1101

Introduces the student to the fundamentals of oral communication. Topics include selection and organization of materials preparation and delivery of individual and group presentations analysis of ideas presented by others and professionalism.

3
BIOL 1111L

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 1111. The laboratory exercises for this course include chemical principles related to cells, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, protein synthesis, genetics, biotechnology, and evolution.

1
BIOL 1112L
Prerequisite: BIOL 1111L

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 1112. The laboratory exercises for this course include classification and characterizations of organisms, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, principles of ecology, and biosphere.

1
CHEM 1211L

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in CHEM 1211. The laboratory exercises for this course include measurement, physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry and gas laws.

1
CHEM 1212L
Prerequisite: CHEM 1212L

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in CHEM 1212. The laboratory exercises for this course include equilibrium theory, kinetics, thermodynamics, solution chemistry, acid-base theory, and nuclear chemistry.

1
MATH 1113

Prepares students for calculus. The topics discussed include an intensive study of polynomial rational exponential logarithmic and trigonometric functions and their graphs. Applications include simple maximum and minimum problems exponential growth and decay.

3
MATH 1127

Emphasizes the concepts and methods fundamental to utilizing and interpreting commonly used statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics basic probability discrete and continuous distributions sampling distributions hypothesis testing chi square tests and linear regression.

3
MATH 1131

Topics include the study of limits and continuity derivatives and integrals of functions of one variable. Applications are incorporated from a variety of disciplines. Algebraic trigonometric exponential and logarithmic functions are studied.

4
MATH 1132

This course includes the study of techniques of integration, application of the definite integral, an introduction to differential equations,improper integrals, sequences, and series.

4
BIOL 1111

Provides an introduction to basic biological concepts with a focus on living cells. Topics include: chemical principles related to cells; cell structure and function; energy and metabolism; cell division; protein synthesis; genetics; biotechnology and evolution.

3
BIOL 1112

Provides an introduction to basic animal and plant diversity, structure and function including reproduction and development, and the dynamics of ecology as it pertains to populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere. Topics include classification and characterizations of organisms, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, principles of ecology, and biosphere.

3
PHYS 1110L
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in PHYS 1110. The laboratory exercises for this course include systems of units and systems of measurement, vector algebra, Newtonian mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics, heat, light, and optics, mechanical waves, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics.

1
CHEM 1211

Provides an introduction to basic chemical principles and concepts which explain the behavior of matter. Topics include: measurement, physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions, and stoichiometry and gas laws.

3
CHEM 1212

Continues the exploration of basic chemical principles and concepts. Topics include equilibrium theory, kinetics, thermodynamics, solution chemistry, acid-base theory, and nuclear chemistry.

3
PHYS 1111L
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in PHYS 1111. The laboratory exercises for this course include units of measurement, Newton's laws, work energy and power, momentum and collisions, one- and two-dimensional motion, circular motion and law of gravity, rotational dynamics and static equilibrium, elasticity theory, harmonic motion, theory of heat and heat transfer, thermodynamics, wave motion, and sound.

1
PHYS 1110

Introduces some of the basic laws of physics. Topics include: systems of units and conversion of units, vector algebra, Newtonian mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics, heat, light, and optics, mechanical waves, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics.

3
PHYS 1111

The first course of two algebra and trigonometry based courses in the physics sequence. Topics include material from mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum and collisions, rotational motion, static equilibrium, elasticity theory, and simple harmonic motion), mechanical waves, theory of heat and heat transfer, and thermodynamics.

3
PHYS 1112L

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in PHYS 1112. The laboratory exercises for this course include material from electricity and magnetism, geometric optics, and physical optics.

1
PHYS 1112

The second of two algebra and trigonometry based courses in the physics sequence. Topics include material from electricity and magnetism (electric charge, electric forces and fields, electric potential energy, electric potential, capacitance, magnetism, electric current, resistance, basic electric circuits, alternating current circuits, and electromagnetic waves), geometric optics (reflection and refraction), and physical optics (interference and diffraction).

3
Occupational Courses (49 Credits)
Required Courses:
ALHS 1090

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots prefixes and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots prefixes and suffixes) word building abbreviations and symbols and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
BIOL 2113L
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Selected laboratory exercises reinforcing the topics of BIOL 2113. The laboratory exercises for this course include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous sensory systems. Emphasis is placed on the identification of anatomical structures.

1
BIOL 2113L
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Selected laboratory exercises reinforcing the topics of BIOL 2113. The laboratory exercises for this course include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous sensory systems. Emphasis is placed on the identification of anatomical structures.

1
BIOL 2114L
Prerequisite: BIOL 2113L

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2114. The laboratory exercises for this course include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

1
BIOL 2114L
Prerequisite: BIOL 2113L

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2114. The laboratory exercises for this course include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

1
HIMT 1100

This course focuses on orienting the student to health information management. Topics include introducing students to the structure of healthcare in the United States and its providers, and the structure and function of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

3
HIMT 1151

Designed to provide students with computer and software skills used in medical offices. Topics include hardware and software components of computers for medical record applications; database software and information management; specialized information management systems in healthcare; methods of controlling confidentiality and patient rights; accuracy and security of health information data in computer systems as well as future directions of information technology in healthcare.

4
HIMT 1200

This course focuses on the study of legal principles applicable to health information, patient care and health records. Topics include: working of the American Legal System, courts and legal procedures, principles of liability, patient record requirements, access to health information, confidentiality and informed consent, the judicial process of health information, specialized patient records, risk management and quality assurance, HIV information, and the electronic health record.

3
HIMT 1250

This course provides a study of content, storage, retrieval, control, retention, and maintenance of health information. Topics include: health data structure, content and standards, healthcare information requirements and standards.xx

2
HIMT 1360
Prerequisites: ALHS 1090, BUSN 2300D

Introduces drug therapy with emphasis on safety, classification of drugs, their action, side effects, and/or adverse reactions. Also introduces the basic concept used in the administration of drugs. Topics include: introduction to pharmacology, sources and forms of drugs, drug classification, and drug effects on the body systems. 

3
HIMT 2150
Prerequisite: MATH 0098D

This course analyzes the study of methods and formulas used in computing and preparing statistical reports for health care services and vital records. It also focuses on the study of methods and techniques used in presenting statistical data.

3
HIMT 2200

This course introduces the students to the peer review and the role health information plays in evaluating patient care. The course investigates the components of performance improvement programs in health care facilities, including quality assessment, utilization management, risk management, and critical clinical pathways. State and local standards are included as well as review of the federal governments role in health care and accreditation requirements of various agencies.

3
HIMT 2300

This course will engage in the functions of a manager, planning, organizing, decision making, staffing, leading or directing, communication and motivating. Further study will include principles of authority/ responsibility, delegation and effective communication, organization charts, job descriptions, policies and procedures, employee motivation, discipline and performance evaluation.

3
HIMT 2460
Prerequisites: HIMT 1200, HIMT 1250 Corequisites: HIMT 2375, HIMT 2400

This course will allow students to perform advanced functions of a health information management (HIM) department. Students will work in realistic work environments in either a traditional, non-traditional, or lab setting. Activities will include application of all HIMT coursework. The student will also learn professional skills to prepare them for employment in the HIM career field.

3
Specializations (Choose ONE)
Data Analytics Specialization
HIMT 2375
Prerequisite: ALHS 1090

Provides an introduction to medical coding skills and the application of international coding standards as it applies to healthcare billing for insurance purposes. Topics include: current procedural terminology, International Classification of Diseases, code book formats, coding techniques, formats of the ICD and CPT manuals, and collections. 

3
HIMT 2600
Prerequisite: HIMT 1151

Designed to provide students with an introduction to healthcare data analytics. The digital environment demands interpretation and evolving uses of an organizations data that impacts patient care, revenue cycle, performance improvement activities, and strategic decisions. This course will provide the foundation for data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting through the use of open source statistical software, R, data modeling and mining techniques. This course will afford an understanding of data analytics through applications of different data types, data collection and storage, and the transformation of data into meaningful data that facilitates quality patient care. 

5
CIST 1220

Includes basic database design concepts and solving database retrieval and modification problems using the SQL language. Topics include: database Vocabulary Relational Database Design Date retrieval using SQL Data Modification using SQL Developing and Using SQL Procedures.

4
BUSN 2370

Provides an introduction to medical coding skills and the application of international coding standards as it applies to healthcare billing for insurance purposes. Topics include: current procedural terminology, International Classification of Diseases, code book formats, coding techniques, formats of the ICD and CPT manuals, and collections.

3
Revenue Cycle Specialization
HIMT 1400

This course provides the student an introduction to Medical Coding & Classification of diseases, injuries, encounters, and procedures using standard applications of Medical Coding Guidelines to support reimbursement of healthcare services.

4
HIMT 1410
Prerequisite: HIMT 1400

This course provides the student with case studies for in-depth review of inpatient and outpatient record formats as found in current healthcare settings. Advanced coding skills and use of industry applications to apply coding and billing standards will be the focus to develop auditing and compliance strategies in the work setting

3
HIMT 2400

This course provides an introduction to, and application of, codes using CPT/HCPCS system. Codes will be applied to workbook exercises, case studies, and actual outpatient charts. Codes will be assigned manually as well as by an encoder.

3
HIMT 2410
Prerequisite: HIMT 1400

This course focuses on how the revenue cycle is impacted by various departments within the facility such as patient access/registration, case management/quality review, health information management, and patient accounting. Subjects include insurance plans, medical necessity, claims processing, accounts receivable, chargemaster, DRGs, APCs, edits, auditing and review. ICD and CPT coding as they relate to the billing function will be reviewed. The importance of revenue cycle management for fiscal stability is emphasized.xx

3
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