Health Services

To prepare the students to communicate and interact effectively with consumers and members of the health care delivery team.

• Students will communicate and interact effectively with instructors and peers through on-line interactions.
• Students will communicate and interact effectively with consumers and health care delivery team at health related agency.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to respect differences that may be a result of cultural heritage.

To prepare competent entry-level health information technicians (RHIT) in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of appropriate legal and ethical behaviors.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of knowledge of HIPAA regulations.
• Student will demonstrate appropriate judgment to ensure confidentiality and security of health information.

To prepare students to pass a national credentialing examination.

• Graduates of the program will successfully pass a national credentialing examination.
• Graduates will demonstrate a pass rate for first time examinees, which meets or exceeds the National pass-rate.

To prepare graduates to successfully transfer to a four-year institution in a related field of study or to secure employment in the HIM field

• Graduates of the program transfer with full junior level status to a four-year institution in a related field of study.
• Graduates will be employed in the HIM field within 6 months of graduation.
• Graduates are satisfied with the preparation provided by the program.
• Employers of the graduates express satisfaction with the preparation provided by the program.

To prepare students to calculate, display, and interpret statistical information related to the health care field.

• Students will demonstrate the ability to display and interpret health information data.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of formulas that are used in health care statistics.

To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy.

• Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
• Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

College Seminar is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to improve the chances for success in the college environment. General College procedures, the fundamental notions of time management and study skills, and the specific responsibilities of today's students in a variety of local and global environments are discussed. One or more collaborative projects will be an integral part of the course. Corequisites: The course must be taken in the student's first thirty hours of study. General first year courses would usually be taken at the same time.

English 1 is a composition course. By focusing on several kinds of writing--self expressive, informative, argumentative/persuasive, and others--it teaches the student to produce the clear, correct and effective prose required in a wide variety of professions and occupations. Class meetings are a blend of lecture and discussion with frequent in-class writing activities. Conferences may be required. Readings are studied as models of good writing and for the ideas they contain. There are eight writing assignments altogether, including an in-class essay, a research-based assignment, and a business writing assignment. Prerequisites: Appropriate evaluation on the placement test writing sample, or successful completion of EN099 Introduction to College English, or successful completion of SL116 ESL4 Advanced Composition, or permission of Humanities Department Head or course instructor.

This course is designed to introduce the health information technology/medical record student to the health care field today. An in-depth study of the health information technology/medical records field, the profession, its functions and origins will be covered. Technical functions such as abstracting, discharge analysis, microfilming, storage and retention of health information will also be included. In addition, the responsibilities of other health care providers, including the medical staff, will be reviewed. (Fall semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course concentrates on spelling, pronunciation, and the meaning of medical word components, common terms used in selected body systems, and medical abbreviations.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course covers the structure and function of the human organism and the regulatory processes that operate within a living system. It introduces general anatomical, physiological, and chemical organization, and includes the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or equivalent preparation, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework.

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

Health Information Technology/Medical Records students are required to complete professional practice experiences (PPE) that utilizes the knowledge and practices the skills learned from lecture and laboratory assignments. The main focus is on the technical functions in the Health Information Medical Records Department of an acute care health facility. Prerequisite: MR101 Health Information Introductory Concepts. (Intersession only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course introduces indexing conditions and procedures using the Current Procedural Terminology. It covers how to code from actual medical records and introduces the current prospective payment system(s). (Spring semester) Prerequisite: MR103 Medical Terminology.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course introduces indexing diseases and operations using the International Classification of Disease. It covers how to code from actual medical records and introduces DRGs and the Prospective Payment System. (Spring semester) Prerequisite: MR103 Medical Terminology.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

Students gain information regarding the pharmacological, pathophysiological, therapeutic and diagnostic aspects of medicine. This course reviews basic concepts and medical word components for selected body systems and disorders frequently encountered in the health care setting will be reviewed. Discussions include pharmacological agents and the diagnostics test(s) utilized for selected disease processes; why a particular pharmacological intervention is selected, how its effectiveness is monitored using diagnostic interventions, and the value of particular laboratory tests. Prerequisites: MR103 Medical Terminology. (Spring semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course, which is a continuation of BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, involves the study of structure, function, and regulation in the human organism. Topics include blood, peripheral nerves, the cardiovascular system, lymphatics, the respiratory system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive systems, the digestive system, and metabolism. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework. Students with transfer credit for BI106 Anatomy and Physiology 1 must complete a three-hour orientation to the use of prosected human cadavers before participating in the BI107 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 laboratory. Transfer students must meet with the Life Science Department Head thirty days before beginning this course.

This course examines the physiological consequences of various disease states. Diseases are treated as threats to homeostasis. The effects of pathology on normal bodily processes are discussed at various organizational levels, including biochemical, cellular, histological, and organ systems. This course is designed for allied health students. Prerequisites: BI106 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or Department Head. Corequisite: BI107 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2.

Health Information Technology/Medical Records students are required to complete professional practice experiences (PPE) that utilizes the knowledge and practices the skills learned from lecture and laboratory assignments. The focus of this PPE is Coding and Data Entry in the Medical Record/Health Information Department of an acute care health facility. Prerequisites: MR104 Procedural Coding, MR105 International Classification Systems, and MR210 Professional Practice Experience 1.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course seeks to deepen the students' understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in both imaginative literature and a full-length book of non-fiction. To this end, students use and develop critical thinking and language skills. They do so mainly in their attempts to raise and answer questions in their readings, discussions, and expository writing tasks, which may include exploratory writing, an academic journal, reports and essays. A library-oriented research project is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages

The student will gain an in-depth knowledge of the non-acute care settings such as mental health facilities, home care, ambulatory care and long term care. Emphasis will be placed on the documentation requirements, differences in reimbursement systems, utilization management and quality management. Prerequisites: MR101 Health Information Introductory Concepts, MR104 Procedural Coding, and MR105 International Classification Systems. (Fall semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course introduces computer applications in the health care field with emphasis on Health Information systems in acute care facilities. Prerequisites: MR101 Health information Introductory Concepts, MR104 CPT Procedural Coding, MR105 International Classification Systems (Health Information Technology majors only), IS101 Computer Applications & Concepts. Corequisites: MR200 Allied Health and MR204 Quality Review in Health Care.

The student will gain an in-depth knowledge of quality improvement and the evaluation of quality medical care including the quality review, utilization management and risk management components. The student will also learn basic hospital and vital statistics and their applications. Prerequisite: MR101 Health Information Introductory Concepts. (Fall semester only)

This course is designed to introduce students to the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis throughout the course will be on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral and emotional experiences and training.

SO101 is an introductory sociology course. Its main objective is not to make sociologists, but rather to give an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed in this course relate to humanity, its culture and society, to those forces which contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces which contribute to conflict and social problems. Key topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population and patterns of social organization. Various forms of media will be used to present the topics of this course.

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result or MA045 Basic Math Skills or MA050 Introductory Mathematics.

The student will gain an in-depth knowledge of management and supervisory topics such as motivation, planning, actuating, controlling, organizing, span of control, unity of command and inter and intradepartmental relationships. Prerequisite: MR200 Allied Health and MR204 Quality Review in Health Care (Health Information Technology/Medical Records majors only) or permission of department Head. Corequisites: MR203 Health Information Systems, MR206 Professional Practice Experience 2.(Health Information/Technology Medical Records majors only). (Spring semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the legal aspects of health information. Emphasis is placed on civil law and how the various health care settings are affected by law and by nongovernmental rulemaking bodies. Some of the topics included are a review of the history of common law, the primary sources of law. Tort law (medical malpractice, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, fraud, etc.), the court system (both the civil and criminal processes), corporate liability, medical staff issues (delineation of clinical privileges, peer review, the fair-hearing process), consent to treatment (including withholding and refusal of), confidentiality, reporting obligations and patient's rights. Also discussed are the principles guiding the control, security and usage of health information. (Spring semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course combines the knowledge and experience gained through Professional Practice Experiences 1 and 2 applying these skills to a variety of non-acute care settings. The student will be introduced to different management styles, record keeping systems, reimbursement methods, documentation requirements, and performance improvement/corporate compliance activities. Prerequisite: MR211 Professional Practice Experience 2. (Spring semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

Students employ existing coding skills to enhance their clinical and coding knowledge using the current versions of CPT Procedural Coding and HCPCS. Students review and code clinical scenarios related to various body systems. Prerequisites: MR104 CPT Procedural Coding, MR105 International Classification Systems, AH110 Professional Practice Experience 1 MC. Corequisites: MR215 Advanced ICD-9-CM Coding and AH111 Professional Practice Experience 2 MC. (Spring semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

Students employ existing coding skills to enhance their clinical and coding knowledge using the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision. Students review and code medical scenarios related to various body systems. Prerequisites: MR105 International Classification Systems and MR104 CPT Procedural Coding. Corequisites: MR214 Advanced CPT Procedural Coding and AH111 Professional Practice Experience 2 MC. (Spring semester only)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

The course introduces medical insurance billing, and credit and collection procedures. It provides an understanding of the insurance options and the laws governing the payors/insurers.Topics include preparing and reviewing claims forms, the significance of coding, electronic and computerized billing, and fraud and abuse. (Spring semester)

This course will enhance the knowledge of the student who is already familiar with basic database concepts. The course will focus on designing and structuring databases to meet the objectives of management. Students will use various database management systems. There will be an in-depth exploration of query capabilities and report generation. The course will be taught in a lecture and lab format. Students will take tests and complete projects of increasing complexity. Prerequisite: IS101 Introduction to Personal Computers.

This course assists students in making intelligent health-conscious decisions through the study of topics such as wellness, aging, sexuality, drugs and alcohol and communicable diseases. In addition, students are introduced to activities and skills for leading healthy lifestyles including fitness assessment, weight management and exercise.