Health Information Technology Curriculum

In this module students will learn to use the Vista® operating system, navigate the Internet, create documents in Microsoft Word®, develop and deliver presentations in PowerPoint®, and use Outlook e-mail®, calendars, Acrobat Reader® and more. Students also will be working on their keyboarding and alpha/numerical data entry skills. This module includes lab work that focuses on hand placement, accuracy, and speed. Students work on many projects. By the end of the module, students should be able to apply the skills they have learned to the workplace.
Prerequisite: none

This module introduces students to the administrative practices used in a variety of health care facilities. Students will learn administrative skills, electronic and manual medical records maintenance, health insurance concepts, business writing, telephone answering techniques, cash management concepts, and to calculate insurance fees. Students also will be taught workplace professionalism and effective communication skills needed in the medical field. Upon completion of this module students will understand the tasks and skills needed to succeed in a healthcare organization. Upon completion of the module students will be able to sit for the NHA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam.
Prerequisite: Completion of HCP 101 or some knowledge of medical terminology

Through this module students develop knowledge of the language of medicine, human anatomy and physiology, pathology, and diagnostic treatments related to the 15 body systems. Students study common terms and abbreviations, learn about Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes, and root words that are the building blocks for communicating to other healthcare professionals. Upon completion of this module, students will have gained an understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy, and the framework and structure of the body as well as the physiology of the bodily systems that work together to support life.
Prerequisite: none

This module focuses on diagnostic coding. Students learn pertinent information on how to utilize the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) coding system to make an accurate decision to determine codes for maximum reimbursement. Students apply ICD-9-CM instructional notations, conventions, rules, and follow official coding guidelines when assigning ICD-9-CM codes to case studies and actual medical record documentation. Upon completion of this module, students will know how to apply special terms, marks, abbreviations, and symbols used in the ICD-9-CM coding system.
Prerequisite: Completion of HCP 101

In this module students are taught Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding. Students acquire skills to identify and utilize modifiers and symbols, in order to properly code the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and Relative Value System (RVS) for maximum reimbursement. Students will have an understanding of the current procedural terminology format, conventions, instructional notes, and section guidelines. In addition, students will be able to code from operative reports, encounter forms, medical records, and laboratory reports using CPT levels I and II. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to apply codes for services and procedures using the current versions of CPT Procedural Coding and HCPCS for all possible medical services.
Prerequisite: Completion of HCP 101

Students in this module will learn about the healthcare revenue cycle, fundamental concepts of public and private insurance, regulatory compliance, and ethics. Students will also practice claim processing using both manual methods and electronic medical billing software. Emphasis is placed on the billing cycle including: posting payments, processing information from encounter forms, and completing Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS-1500) and Uniform Bill (UB-04) medical claim forms. Additionally, students learn about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), confidentiality regulations, and Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs). Upon completion of this module, students will be able to maintain patient financial records and process medical claims for public and private insurance while maintaining patient confidentiality.
Prerequisite: Completion of CIT 090

The HIT externship provides the student with hands-on work experience in a medical setting. Under the direction of the externship site’s professional staff and BIR’s Site Coordinator, students will be applying the skills gained in a medical setting. Through the duration of externship, students will perform patient intake, maintenance of patients’ records, insurance verification, medical appointment scheduling, collection and posting of copayments, telephone techniques, demographic data entry, medical claims processing, and other office duties as assigned. Students also are expected to apply their medical software skills and general office computer productivity tools. The NHA Certified Billing and Coding Specialist Exam will be proctored during this module.
Prerequisite: Completion of HCP 100, HCP 102, HCP 103, and HCP 104

In this module students are taught how to gain employment in the field of health information technology by performing related activities such as resume writing, proper interviewing techniques, and job search methods. They also will have acquired job seeking skills by producing a program-specific purposeful resume, responding to interview questions, and conducting employment searches. Upon completion, the student will gain skills to produce different types of field-specific and position-specific resumes, be able to search and apply for employment, and hone their job interviewing skills.
Prerequisite: Completion of HCP 307