Health and Medical Administrative Services

Electronic Health Record certificate is a one semester certificate that will prepare the students for entry level positions with knowledge and skills required to transition from a paper based record to an electronic health record, learn the basic functions and the use of the technology for the Electronic Health Record.

Medical Coding Specialist Certificate prepares students to access health information, identify diagnoses and assign appropriate medical codes to narrative descriptions of health diseases and procedures required for reimbursement, medical research, quality assurance or risk management.

Health Information Technicians are responsible for maintaining components of health information systems consistent with the medical administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system. In all types of facilities, and in various locations within a facility, the health information technician possesses the technical knowledge and skills necessary to process, maintain, complete and report health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assessment and research; abstract and code clinical data using appropriate classification systems; and analyze health records according to standards. As part of the degree plan, students will complete an internship that enables them to gain real-world experience. In addition, students are prepared for a national exam that measures proficiency and competency in the standards set by the American Health Information Management.

  • Delivery: Day and Night Classes; Traditional and Hybrid
  • Start: Fall or Spring Semester, Full- or Part-Time
  • Location: Nursing and Allied Health Campus

Program Application

Online HMAS Program Application

Program Selection Process

Students accepted on a first-come first-serve basis until maximum class size is reached.

Program Information Sessions

One virtual group program information session will be held per week. The day and time of the session each week are to be announced as per availability of department staff. In order to be placed on the list to attend a session, please contact program advisor Rickey Banda at rbanda@southtexascollege.edu. Students will need to include their name, STC student A#, preferred email address, and telephone number. Students will be contacted via email of the next available session.

Accreditation

CAHIIM Logo

The Health Information Management/Health Information Technology accreditor of South Texas College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2028-2029. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to:

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM)
200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-235-3255
Email address: info@cahiim.org

Program Outcomes for AAS-Health Information Technology Program

  • August 2021-July 2022 Retention rate of 100%
  • August 2021-July 2022 Graduate Satisfaction rate of 100%
  • August 2021-July 2022 Employment rate of 100%

(Students employed within 6 months of graduation) Not included are students continuing their education

Work Environment

HMAS work in a multitude of settings in the health care industry from hospitals, office-based physicians, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities and public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies law and insurance firms, health product vendors, private coding agencies, consulting firms and home offices.

Salary Data

  • EHR - Average Wage: $20,000-35,000
  • Medical Coding Specialist - Average Wage: $35,000-60,000
  • HIT - Average Wage: $59,000-65,000

Application Requirements

All applicants must:

  1. Participate in the required HMAS Program Student Information Session at the Nursing & Allied Health Campus. For the session schedule, please contact the HMAS Program at 956-872-3171.
  2. Meet general admission requirements to South Texas College.
  3. Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
  4. Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology (HIT) applicants must meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
  5. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at South Texas College.
  6. Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series and satisfy healthcare agency requirements prior to practicum/capstone course.  For more information contact the NAH Clinical Affairs Specialist at 956-872-3022 or visit the Clinical Affairs website at   https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html.
  7. Submit a completed Program application by stated deadline. For information please visit the HMAS program website or contact the Health & Medical Administrative Services (HMAS) Program at 956-872-3171.

The application requirements and process will be discussed during an Information Session prior to registration.

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