Start Your Career: By the Numbers
Apply To This ProgramCredentials
Prepare for AHIMA national credentialing including RHIT, CCA, CCS, and CCS-P.
Information Drives Care
Curious about health care, but more interested in the tech and data side? Health Information Technology may be the path for you! Health Information Technicians (HITs) are essential members of the behind-the-scenes health care team. They manage vital databases that store patients’ medical and treatment records.
This two-year program prepares you with the skills you need to manage this data. In the first year you earn your coding certificate. Then, continue your training to broaden your career options with advanced skills in data analysis, privacy and security. You’ll build skills for:
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Coding and classifying healthcare data
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Analyzing health information for trends and accuracy
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Protecting patient privacy and ensuring compliance
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Managing and organizing healthcare data systems
- Maintaining and organizing medical records
At the end of the program, you will be eligible to take the AHIMA exam. This will qualify you as a registered health information technician (RHIT). You can find work in any institution that uses health information. Start your journey today and play a vital role in the healthcare industry.
Program Information
Explore our accreditation information and learn more about how to apply to Ozarks Tech
Health Information Technology Essential Functions
Health Information Technology Academic Pathway Planner
General Admissions to Ozarks Tech
Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.
At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.
We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.
Denise Baer
Health Information Technology Program Director
417-447-8821
Accreditation
The Health Information Technology accreditor of Ozarks Technical Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Associates of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at [email protected].
CAHIIM-accredited associate program graduates can take the Registered Health Information Technology exam and earn the RHIT Credential. Our program prepares our students for this well-recognized and essential credential. We are proud that our students exceed the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) credential standards each year.
OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more on OTC Accreditation.
Mission Statement
The Health Information Technology program provides accessible, high-quality technical education in health information management, designed to meet the needs of the communities it serves. Our mission statement is part of our strategic plan and aligns with the OTC Mission Statement.
Program Outcomes
Our Academic Year 2023-2024 Program Highlights:
- Employment rate is an impressive 100% as confirmed by our graduates’ feedback
- Students who sat for the RHIT Credential Exam demonstrated exceptional performance achieving an outstanding 92% first-time pass rate.
- Our graduation rates are 100% for full-time and 53% for part-time students.
Interested in learning more?
Watch an informational session video to learn more about the program.
Thinking about earning your bachelor’s degree?
After your A.A.S., you may continue your education at a four-year institution. Bear in mind:
- Admission requirements vary
- Credits may transfer on a course-by-course basis
Course Information
Discover overview information, course sequences and specific course descriptions. Or, view the full catalog to see all the details.
Health Information Technology (A.A.S.)*
A.A.S. Degree: 65 Hours
Health Information Technology is an Associate of Applied Science degree open admission program designed to lead to employment throughout the healthcare industry in hospitals, office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the AHIMA certification examination for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). AHIMA reserves the right to accept and approve each application and transcript.
The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 235-3255 https://www.cahiim.org/
A grade of “C” or better is required for all Health Information Technology Program required courses.
Coding Specialist Certificate
Certificate: 33 Hours
The Health Information Technology Certificate represents coding training that includes; anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic/procedural, and CPT coding as required by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for national certification.
Students who complete this certificate are eligible to sit for the national coding credential exam CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) or CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based) administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
National certification can lead to employment in the healthcare industry by obtaining the knowledge and skills to become a qualified coder. Areas of employment for coders are generally hospitals (outpatient and inpatient), physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, and specialty centers.
The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 235-3255 https://www.cahiim.org/
A grade of “C” or better is required for all Health Information Technology Certificate – Coding Program required courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the HIT program is an open admission program, so no application is necessary.
The HIT program is an entirely online program. It is important for you to have a reliable computer with dependable internet access, camera, audio and microphone to complete your course requirements.
During the Program
As a student you are responsible for your tuition and fees, textbook costs and AHIMA Student Membership along with any immunizations or travel costs that may be necessary for professional practice experiences.
View information about Costs and Aid
View immunization requirements
After Graduation
You are responsible for your credential exam fees. The HIT programs prepare you to sit for the industry’s AHIMA credentials:
- CCS
- CCS-P
- RHIT
Students enrolled in the two-year program may sit for the RHIT credential exam early while in their final Professional Practice Experience course, which offers a textbook/exam bundle to assist students with the exam cost.
AHIMA (the American Health Information Management Association) is the national professional organization for health information professionals.
AHIMA supports HIT students and graduates by setting industry standards, offering national credentials such as the RHIT, providing exam and career resources, promoting a professional Code of Ethics, and offering a Career Map to help students explore career paths, plan education, and advance professionally in health information technology.
The job outlook for HIT careers is strong and continues to grow as health care relies more on electronic health records, data quality, privacy, and reimbursement accuracy.
View detailed information on job outlook, career duties and employment trends on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook:
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Medical Records Specialist: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Some options available online.
More Tools for Finding Your Path
Notices & Disclaimers
*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.
**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.