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, Hybrid, and Distance Education classes
- Start: Fall or Spring Semester, Full- or Part-Time
- Location: Nursing and Allied Health Campus
Students are admitted to South Texas College through the provisions of Board Policy 3200. General admission to the College does not imply admission to all programs of the College. The Nursing and Allied Health Division offers Selective Programs with application requirements. Application requirements are included in the description of each program. In addition, some Selective Programs have a Competitive Entry selection process based on a competitive point system.
Accreditation
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 Health Information Technology Program
- FY19-20 Fall-Spring semester retention rate of 100%
- FY 2020-Spring semester graduation rate of 100% of students graduated from the Program
- Employer rate of 100% of program graduates have obtained positions or continued in a Health Information Management within the 6 months of graduation
- Results from the FY 19-20 outcome assessments indicate 94% Satisfactory score from HIT degree graduates in the quality of Preparation in the program provided for employment
- FY18-19 Certification Examination Pass Rate of 80%
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
Program Application /Admission Requirements
Program applications are available from HMAS faculty and will be discussed and completed during advisement prior to registration. Please contact the Program office at 956-872-3027 for additional information or appointment with program faculty.
Program Admission Requirements
All applicants must:
- Admitted to STC for Fall Semester. Transcripts for courses completed at another college/university have been sent to STC Office of Admissions and Records and you have asked them to be evaluated for STC credit.
- High School graduate or GED with transcripts on file at STC.
- AAS Degree applicants must meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI Exemption Standards.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at STC.
- Participate in individual student advisement with HMAS faculty.
Contact Health and Medical Administrative Services Program
Program Chair
Dr. Theresa Langlass Garza
NAHC A.106C
Department Contact
Irma Rodriguez
Program Coordinator
NAH-A 424
956-872-3170
Victor Sanchez
Advisor
NAH-A 100.H
956-872-3027