Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
Health Information Technology AS Degree
Associate in Science | SC Program: AS.1604
The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology at Shasta College prepares you for a rewarding career managing health data in a wide range of healthcare and health-related settings. As a Health Information Technology professional, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the accuracy, security, and accessibility of patient information—key to delivering quality care. You can find employment in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, law firms, pharmaceutical companies, and more. Once the program is accredited, you’ll be eligible to sit for the national RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) certification exam. This degree is ideal if you’re looking to enter the healthcare industry directly or continue on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. If you plan to transfer, be sure to complete the 34-unit Cal-GETC GE pattern and meet with a counselor to plan your path.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Submit your interest form.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
15 Units TotalBIOL 5
GE
M
3
Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 5
This is a one-semester introductory course in human anatomy and physiology presented with a medical emphasis. Selected topics on eleven organ systems are covered. This course is intended to serve medical assistants, licensed vocational nursing, and fire science majors. It also complements child development and nutrition majors. BIOL 5 is a prerequisite for the LVN program. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 10
M
3
Introduction to Health Information
HIT 10
Advisory: ENGL C1000 with a grade of C or better.
This course is an introduction to the Health Information Technology profession. It includes an overview of the American healthcare delivery system, health information functions and responsibilities, health services organization and delivery methods, health data, structure and use, regulatory standards and requirements, information systems, and health information privacy and security. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to the Health Information Technology profession. It includes an overview of the American healthcare delivery system, health information functions and responsibilities, health services organization and delivery methods, health data, structure and use, regulatory standards and requirements, information systems, and health information privacy and security. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HIT 11
M
2
Computer Info for Health Info Technology
HIT 11
Advisory: CIS 1 with a grade of C or higher
This course is an introduction to computer systems used in healthcare and health information management (HIM). Emphasis is placed on basic computer and networking technologies as well as on specialized software and electronic health record (EHR) applications. This course is designed for students interested in the use of computers in the health information technology field. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to computer systems used in healthcare and health information management (HIM). Emphasis is placed on basic computer and networking technologies as well as on specialized software and electronic health record (EHR) applications. This course is designed for students interested in the use of computers in the health information technology field. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
HEOC 11
M
3
Medical Terminology
HEOC 11
This course provides students with an understanding of the language of medicine through the study of basic word structures and etymology related to various body systems, diagnostics, and pathology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 30
M
1
Basic Pharmacology
HIT 30
This course is an introduction to pharmacology. Topics include an introduction to the principles of pharmacology, terminology, drug forms, routes of administration, drug classifications, and mechanisms of drug action. This course is intended for students in the health information technology program and healthcare professionals who want to refresh their working knowledge of basic pharmacology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year
15 Units TotalHIT 20
GE
M
3
Hospital and Health Statistics
HIT 20
Advisory: MATH 114 or MATH 102 with a minimum grade of C, or Math Placement Level 4 or higher.
This course provides instruction for the health information technology student in the basic principles of data collection and calculation of hospital and non-acute facility health statistics. Calculation of Health Information Management department statistics is included. In addition, the course covers the calculation of specific vital statistics as well as discharge analysis reporting. There is instruction in the preparation of monthly and annual medical, administrative, and outside agency reports utilizing tables and graphs. Practice in the interpretation of statistical reports is also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course provides instruction for the health information technology student in the basic principles of data collection and calculation of hospital and non-acute facility health statistics. Calculation of Health Information Management department statistics is included. In addition, the course covers the calculation of specific vital statistics as well as discharge analysis reporting. There is instruction in the preparation of monthly and annual medical, administrative, and outside agency reports utilizing tables and graphs. Practice in the interpretation of statistical reports is also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HIT 15
M
3
Legal Aspects of Healthcare
HIT 15
Advisory: HIT 10 with a minimum grade of C
This course covers the legal aspects of health information management including legal procedures, evidence, tort law, corporate and contract law. Other topics include consent to treatment, the legal health record, HIPAA privacy and security rules, patient rights and responsibilities, release of information, required reporting, risk management, healthcare fraud and abuse, medical staff, and workplace law. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course covers the legal aspects of health information management including legal procedures, evidence, tort law, corporate and contract law. Other topics include consent to treatment, the legal health record, HIPAA privacy and security rules, patient rights and responsibilities, release of information, required reporting, risk management, healthcare fraud and abuse, medical staff, and workplace law. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HIT 25
M
2
Health Info in Alternative Settings
HIT 25
This course is an introduction to health information management practice in alternative healthcare settings including long-term care, mental health, ambulatory care, hospice, home health, and rehabilitation medicine. Focus is on the role of the health information practitioner, regulatory issues, accreditation and licensing requirements, documentation, funding and reimbursement, and electronic information systems. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year
14 Units TotalHIT 7
M
3
Introduction to Human Disease Process
HIT 7
This course focuses on disease processes in the human body from a systems approach. Analysis of the most common and significant diseases is included. The signs and symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of disease are examined along with the appropriate medical terminology. This course is designed for students in allied health programs, but is also open to those who wish to broaden their medical background or review this information. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 35
M
3
CPT Coding
HIT 35
This introductory course for Health Information Technology students includes the use of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding. The course covers the purpose of CPT, CPT Manual format, code format, and coding steps used to code from the six divisions of CPT: Evaluation & Management, Anesthesia, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology & Laboratory, and Medicine. In addition, the course includes national and category III codes. It also includes an overview of reimbursement issues involving physician and hospital payment for outpatient services. This course is also available to hospital and doctors' office employees. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 42
M
2
Principles of Leadership
HIT 42
This course introduces the basic concepts of leadership including team leadership, change management, training, and developing employees. Other topics include using enterprise-wide information assets in support of organizational strategies and objectives, company culture, and diversity in the workplace. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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HIT 40
M
3
ICD Diagnostic Coding
HIT 40
This course provides an overview of the organization and format of the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), and the role of diagnostic coding in the Prospective Payment System. Provides instruction in diagnostic coding of health records by applying ICD guidelines. Students are introduced to coding software applications (encoder). This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year
16 Units TotalHIT 45
M
2
ICD Procedure Coding
HIT 45
This course provides an overview of the structure and organization of the International Classification of Diseases Procedure Classification System (ICD-10-PCS). Provides instruction in procedure coding of health records by applying ICD guidelines. Coding software applications (encoder) will be used in this course. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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HIT 50
M
2
Healthcare Reimbursement
HIT 50
This course integrates information about all US healthcare payment systems. The topics covered include reimbursement methodologies, clinical coding and coding compliance, voluntary and government sponsored insurance plans, managed care plans, revenue cycle management and value-based purchasing. Medicare and Medicaid prospective payment systems are also addressed in acute, post-acute, ambulatory, physician fee schedule, hospice, and long term care settings. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 55
M
3
Healthcare Quality Management
HIT 55
Advisory: HIT 10 and HIT 20 with a grade of C or higher
This course for Health Information Technology students is an introduction to quality and performance management and improvement, utilization review, and risk management. The course includes the purpose, principles, historical development, assessment and analysis techniques, and application and program development strategies used in quality management and improvement, utilization review, and risk management activities. Also included is the integration of performance improvement activities with the medical staff appointment and reappointment process. Regulatory and privacy requirements will also be addressed. The key concepts, background, and statistical tools used in the continuous quality improvement process (CQI) are also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course for Health Information Technology students is an introduction to quality and performance management and improvement, utilization review, and risk management. The course includes the purpose, principles, historical development, assessment and analysis techniques, and application and program development strategies used in quality management and improvement, utilization review, and risk management activities. Also included is the integration of performance improvement activities with the medical staff appointment and reappointment process. Regulatory and privacy requirements will also be addressed. The key concepts, background, and statistical tools used in the continuous quality improvement process (CQI) are also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HIT 60
M
3
Professional Practice Experience
HIT 60
Limitations on Enrollment:
1. Special Admission - students must meet with HIT director or health sciences counselor for approval.
2. Health and safety requirements must be met prior to enrollment, including a physical exam, up-to-date immunizations, TB clearance, background check and drug screening at student's own expense.
This course provides Health Information Technology students with supervised onsite experience performing CAHIIM entry-level competencies in an assigned affiliated healthcare organization. Professional practice experience may include a partial virtual lab practicum. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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1. Special Admission - students must meet with HIT director or health sciences counselor for approval.
2. Health and safety requirements must be met prior to enrollment, including a physical exam, up-to-date immunizations, TB clearance, background check and drug screening at student's own expense.
This course provides Health Information Technology students with supervised onsite experience performing CAHIIM entry-level competencies in an assigned affiliated healthcare organization. Professional practice experience may include a partial virtual lab practicum. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Please contact the ACE office to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
Contact Us for More Information
ACE Program
Contact Info
Email
ace@shastacollege.edu
Phone
(530) 242-7676
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am -12:30 pm
Academic/Instructional Division Office
Health Sciences
Contact Info
Phone
(530) 339-3600
Fax
(530) 225-4780
Location
Downtown Redding Campus | 1400 Market Street, Suite 8204 | Redding, CA 96001
Mailing
Health Sciences Division | PO Box 496006 | Redding, CA 96049-6006
Alternative Phone
(530) 339-3661
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