2006-07 Catalog Archive (Archived July 31, 2006)
One College Avenue, Williamsport PA 17701 · (570) 326-3761 or (800) 367-9222
Health Information Coding Specialist (HL)
Certificate
This program will prepare students to identify and use a variety of informational resources and technologies to effectively perform entry-level skills in medical coding positions. The program will provide students basic training in human sciences, medical terminology, computers, and coding and reimbursement. Correct application of coding guidelines will be emphasized.
Career Opportunities: Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions for inpatient coder, outpatient coder, physician office coder, and coder/data analyst. With additional experience and education, students may progress to supervisory positions in the health information field. Students would be eligible to sit for a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam that is offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). An individual who passes the CCA certification exam will distinguish themselves from non-credentialed coders and will improve his/her employment prospects.
Recommended High School Subjects: Biology and/or anatomy, medical terminology, keyboarding, and some computer experience are beneficial.
Remediation Strategies: Students should remediate any mathematics or communications deficiencies during the first semester.
Transfer Procedures: This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College and detailed in the Information section (see "Transferring Credits") of this catalog. Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
Program Goals: A graduate of this major should be able to:
- use, organize, analyze and evaluate health records according to established guidelines for coding purposes.
- evaluate documentation to support diagnoses, tests, and treatment modalities.
- apply appropriate definitions and guidelines to determine the principal and other diagnoses and procedure codes.
- sequence diagnoses and procedures correctly when more than one are present.
- validate diagnostic and procedural coding.
- assign accurate codes to diseases and procedures by applying knowledge of coding guidelines, anatomy, clinical disease processes, pharmacology and medical terminology.
- demonstrate an understanding of the importance of preserving the security and integrity of confidential patient information.
| First Semester | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO103 | Human Anatomy and Physiology Survey | 4 | |
| CSC110 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 | |
| HIT110 | Health Data Content and Structure | 4 | |
| MTR104 | Basics of Medical Terminology | 3 | |
| 14 | |||
| Second Semester | Credits | ||
| HIT225 | Introduction to ICD-9-CM Coding | 3 | |
| HTH115 | Pathology and Disease I | 3 | |
| ENL010 | Communications | 3 | |
| OIT101 | Keyboarding and Its Applications | 1 | |
| MTH011 | Career Mathematics | 3 | |
| 13 | |||
| Summer Session | Credits | ||
| HIT226 | Introduction to CPT Coding | 3 | |
| HIT232 | Advanced Coding and Reimbursement | 3 | |
| 6 | |||