The two-year associate of applied science (AAS) degree from the Health Information Technology Program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College prepares students to enter a field backed by the Obama administration, which set aside $46 billion to help doctors and hospitals go electronic by 2014.

Professor Rawle Chichester at the Borough of Manhattan Community College said, "There are certified coding schools out there, but this is the only program in New York City accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Informational Management Education (CAHIIM), that awards an associate's degree making students eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. The only one."

About the Program/Profession

The Health Information Technology (HIT) program, administered by the Allied Health Sciences Department at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, equips students with the competencies to review, analyze, and assign specific diagnostic and procedure codes for medical information. This information is used for quality management, treatment, research, reimbursement, and legal actions. HIT professionals interact with physicians, patients, public agencies, insurance companies, and other health care facilities. Upon successful completion of the requirement listed, students receive the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and are eligible for the RHIT Certification examination. Students who passed the exam must maintain 20 continuing education credits every two years.

Courses in liberal arts and sciences may be offered during the evening and weekend but the HIT courses are only offered during the day.

Job Opportunities

When a student graduates from the program and passes the RHIT exam, their employment opportunities are limitless. Students can work in a variety of health care facilities ( e.g. nursing home, acute care), insurance companies, government agencies, lawyer's office, doctor's office, education, consulting or auditing agencies or open their own business. The RHIT exam is recognized nationally so individuals who pass it can work anywhere in the United States.

For information on education and employment, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.