Health & Medical Administrative Services

Electronic Health Record (EHR) 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 (EHR)

Medical Information/Transcription Specialist certificate is designed to provide health care facilities with professionally trained individuals who will promote the smooth operation of an office or department within a health care agency. These professionals, during the course of overseeing the day-to-day operations, maintain an efficient records system, and utilize a variety of office equipment that facilitates the administrative clerical functions of the medical department/medical office.

It also prepares students to type physician-dictated reports describing a patient's medical care and condition. These reports include office chart notes, history and physical examinations, consultations, discharge summaries, laboratory tests and diagnostic studies. Transcriptionists may pursue a certified medical transcriptions rating by passing the national certification examination administered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). Medical Information/Transcription Specialist can pursue a lifelong program of continuing education. Students enrolling in this program must type a minimum of 35 words per minute as determined by department evaluation. As part of the program, students will complete an internship that enables them to gain real-world experience.

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 (HIT) are responsible for maintaining components of health information systems consistent with the medical administrative, ethical, and 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

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, home offices.

Potential Job Titles

• Health Data Analyst
• Insurance Claims Analyst
• Record Technician Specialist
• Clinical Coding Specialist
• Physician Practice Manager
• Patient Information Coordinator
• Educator
• EHR
• Scanners of records
• File clerk
• Medical record clerk
• Clerical clerk
• Front office

Salary Data

• EHR - Average Wage: $20,000-35,000
• Medical Information/Transcription - Average Wage: $18,000-28,000
• 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) 872-3170 for additional information or appointment with program faculty.

Program Admission Requirements

1. All applicants must meet general admission requirements to South Texas College.
2. High School graduation or GED Equivalent
3. Degree option: Demonstrate proficiency in state-mandated general knowledge content through approved means; i.e., Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), ACCUPLACER, ASSET, and/or COMPASS with program specific exemptions accepted.
4. Certificate options: Pass college placement test with minimum scores or complete developmental classes with a grade of "C" or better for course placement as follows:
   1. Completion of READ 0080 or equivalent.
   2. Completion of ENGL 0081 or equivalent.
   3. Completion of MATH 0085 or equivalent
5. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at STC
6. Satisfy program specific requirements for clinical practice.
7. Submit a completed HMAS program application.
8. Participate in individual student advisement with HMAS faculty prior to application.