Health Information Technology
This joint program with Edgecombe Community College will train you to become a registered health information technician (RHIT).
What You Will Learn
The health information technology (HIT) program at Central Piedmont is offered in collaboration with Edgecombe Community College. The program offers fully online HIT courses and the opportunity to take your general education courses here at Central Piedmont in an online or in-person format. The program's clinical component offers opportunities to complete those hours at our local Mecklenburg community health partners.
When you finish the program, you will be able to:
- collect, maintain, analyze, and ensure accuracy of patient health data according to regulations and standards
- apply diagnosis and procedure codes according to current nomenclature
- apply healthcare services billing and reimbursement policies and procedures
- collect, maintain, and report data for health statistics, biomedical research, and quality management
- apply current accreditation, licensure, and certification standards for health information laws
- adhere to healthcare privacy, confidentiality, legal, and ethical standards
- use information and communication technologies, apply knowledge of data, information and file structures, use appropriate electronic data storage and retrieval technology
- apply confidentiality and security policies for data security
- apply human and financial resource management principles
When you finish this program, you will be prepared and eligible to take the national certification examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This credential is recognized throughout the United States. Registered health information technicians work in supervisory and technical positions in a wide variety of industries. They analyze and manage health information and help maintain electronic health records.
Why Choose Central Piedmont
The health information technology degree is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Only students who have completed a CAHIIM-accredited health information technology or health information management program approved by a foreign association with a reciprocity agreement with AHIMA are eligible to sit for the RHIT exam.
In addition, our health information technology program is offered 100 percent online, giving you the flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere. You'll also gain real-world experience via three professional practice experience classes, where you will practice in various healthcare facilities. Our curriculum is designed to prepare you to enter the competitive field of health information technology. Our instructors will equip you the problem solving and decision-making skills needed to excel in this field. In fact, in a 2018 survey, 100 percent of our graduates reported a high level of satisfaction with our program and its content.
Real World Education
At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.
The Details
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Program Options
Earn a health information technology Associate in Applied Science that is awarded by Edgecombe Community College. If you would like information on opportunities to transfer associate degree credit to a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Resource Center.
Visiting Students
If you wish to transfer health information technology course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.
Continuing Education
Central Piedmont's continuing education provides non-degree courses and programs, including job skills, industry-focused career training, certificates, certifications, professional licensure, and personal enrichment. Day, evening, weekend, and online opportunities are available.
College and Career Readiness
If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.
College Credit for High School Students
Visit Career and College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.
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Health Information Technology Program Requirements
You will need to enroll at both Central Piedmont and Edgecombe Community College to complete this program.
The health information technology associate degree requires that you complete 75 credit hours (general education and program-specific courses) completed full-time across five semesters. You can complete the general education courses at any Central Piedmont campus and will do the required program-specific courses online at Edgecombe Community College. For detailed information on the required courses:
- Edgecombe Community College catalog: program-specific courses that you will take through Edgecombe Community College
- Central Piedmont college catalog: general education courses that you can take at Central Piedmont
- Review the health information technology pre-admissions guide (PDF)
You will also be expected to submit a completed medical form, including documentation of immunizations, to Edgecombe Community College. You will get more information about this requirement if you are accepted into the program.
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Locations and Course Delivery Methods
Students in this program take classes at Central Piedmont and Edgecombe Community College.
Classroom/Lab/Clinical
General education course delivery methods will vary at Central Piedmont and allow you to choose the best format to meet your needs. The clinical hours can be completed locally at one of our area health partners locations — be sure to let your instructor know where you live so an appropriate clinical site can be scheduled.
You can complete the required general education courses (listed on the program pre-admission guide) at any Central Piedmont campus (based on course availability). The HIT program-specific courses are taught at Edgecombe Community College.
Course offerings and availability can change each semester.
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Health Information Technician Careers
Health information technician positions are one of fastest-growing careers in the U.S. Upon completion of our program, you will be prepared and eligible to take the national certification examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This credential is recognized throughout the United States. Registered health information technicians work in supervisory and technical positions in a wide variety of industries, such as hospitals, physician offices, medical clinics, outpatient surgery centers, academic institutions, consulting agencies, government agencies, and healthcare software companies. Various job areas are coders, reimbursement, quality, trauma registrar, tumor registrar, and electronic chart analysis. Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for detailed health information technology career requirements and opportunities, salary information, and job openings.
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Costs and Aid
Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont.
You should contact the financial aid department at Edgecombe Community College, not the Central Piedmont financial aid office, to fill out forms to determine your financial aid eligibility. For this program, financial aid will be awarded from Edgecombe Community College only. If awarded, this financial aid may also be applied to the general education coursework you take at Central Piedmont.
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Admitted Students: Find Your Advisor
If you are currently enrolled and taking classes, log in to MyConnect to find your assigned academic advisor.
If you do not have an advisor, you can:
- visit the advising office at the campus nearest you, or
- send an email to the advising office
How to Apply
You'll need to apply to both Edgecombe Community College and Central Piedmont.
Apply now