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Health Information Technology
CAHIIM Accredited* Two-Year Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree Program
Available at the Altoona Campus
The Health Information Technology accreditor of South Hills School of Business and Technology is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2022-2023. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Note: The Health Information Technology program in State College is currently inactive.
The South Hills Health Information Technology program trains students in ICD-10 and CPT coding, EHR (electronic health records), healthcare quality improvement, reimbursement systems, and more. Students in our HIT program will hone the high-tech skills needed to manage and analyze information for both patients and the facilities where they receive care. You’ll find career opportunities at hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, government agencies, and other healthcare facilities.
Our HIT graduates are in demand for positions including Inpatient and/or Outpatient Coder, Health Data Analyst, Abstractor, Medical Records Manager, Health Information Management (HIM) Supervisor, and HIM Manager.
Successful students in this program are detail-oriented, enjoy working with computers and technology, analyzing data, and working in a team setting. Leadership skills are a plus, as many of our HIT graduates become supervisors or managers in a wide variety of healthcare environments.
* This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Upon successful completion of the HIT program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT) examination.
Note: The Health Information Technology program in State College is currently in-active.
Complete Course List
Health Information Technology Course List
Health Information Technology Course List for 2020-21
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | MD102 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 5.5 | 60 |
| MD103 | Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 0.5 | 10 | |
| GE183 | Business English I | 4 | 60 | |
| HI228 | Introduction to the Health Care Field | 4 | 60 | |
| MD108 | Medical Terminology I | 3 | 36 | |
| GE117 | Applied Algebra | 4 | 60 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2 | 24 | |
| Totals: | 23 | 310 | ||
| Second Term | MD106 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 5.5 | 60 |
| MD107 | Anatomy & Physiology II Lab | 0.5 | 10 | |
| GE184 | Business English II | 4 | 60 | |
| HI103 | Health Data Content and Reimbursement | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MD109 | Medical Terminology II | 3 | 36 | |
| CP287 | Microsoft Excel | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 22 | 286 | ||
| Third Term | IT234 | Advanced Microsoft Excel | 2.5 | 36 |
| GE210 | Business English III | 3.5 | 60 | |
| HI104 | Computer Systems in HIT | 4 | 60 | |
| GE260 | Statistical Applications | 3 | 36 | |
| HI226 | ICD Coding I | 4.5 | 60 | |
| HI102 | Pathophysiology | 5.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 23 | 312 | ||
| Fourth Term | HI225 | CPT-4 | 4 | 48 |
| HI238 | Health Care Statistics | 2 | 24 | |
| HI227 | ICD Coding II | 4.5 | 60 | |
| IT235 | Microsoft Access | 3.5 | 48 | |
| HI234 | Principles of Supervision | 3 | 36 | |
| MD242 | Pharmacology | 3 | 36 | |
| HI241 | Quality Improvement and Data Analytics | 4 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 24 | 312 | ||
| Fifth Term | HI235 | Advanced Coding | 3 | 48 |
| HI233 | Health Records in Other Settings | 2.5 | 30 | |
| GE178 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 2.5 | 36 | |
| CD207 | Job Search Skills | 2 | 24 | |
| HI229 | Medical Legal Aspects | 3 | 36 | |
| GE213 | Oral Business Communications | 2 | 24 | |
| MD212 | Principles of Medical Insurance | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 19.5 | 258 | ||
| Sixth Term | CD215 | Career Preparation for HIT | 2 | 24 |
| HI239 | Health Information Seminar | 2 | 24 | |
| HI237 | Professional Practice Experience | 11 | 330 | |
| Totals: | 15 | 378 | ||
| HIT PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | HIT PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 126.5 Credits | 1,856 Clock Hours |
Bright Outlook Occupation
Medical Records & Health Information Technicians
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians are an integral part of the healthcare system and compile, process, and maintain patient records in hospitals, private healthcare facilities, government agencies, etc.
See the Bright Outlook for this OccupationCareers in Health Information Technology
With two years of hands-on training and strong skillsets, our HIT graduates are prepared for a variety of healthcare career options, including:
- Abstractor
- Coding Manager
- Health Data Analyst
- Inpatient and/or Outpatient Coder
- Medical Records Manager
- Medical Records Specialist
- Health Information Management (HIM) Manager
- Health Information Management (HIM) Supervisor
Each HIT student completes a semester-long internship before graduation, providing real world experience invaluable to a career in the healthcare field. We have placed interns at locations including:
- Central PA Podiatry Associates
- Centre Crest
- Drayer Physical Therapy
- HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital
- Geisinger- Lewistown
- Geisinger Medical Group
- Homewood at Martinsburg
- James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
- Jersey Shore Hospital
- The Meadows
- Mount Nittany Medical Center
- Mount Nittany Physician’s Group
- Penn-Highlands Clearfield
- State Correctional Institute at Rockview
- Susquehanna Health Systems
- Tyrone Hospital
- University Orthopedics
Graduates of the HIT Program at South Hills are well-trained and in demand for their up-to-date knowledge of today’s medical technology, versatility, and work ethics. Some of the many locations employing our graduates include:
- Blair Medical Associates
- Brookline Retirement Village
- Cardiology Associates
- Cornerstone Family Eye Care
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates
- Geisinger Medical Group
- The Meadows
- Medical Billing and Management Services
- Mount Nittany Physician Group
- Nittany Eye Associates
- Penn-Highlands Clearfield
- Penn State Family Medicine
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center
- Pyramid Health Care
- State College Orthodontics
- Valley View Nursing Home
HIT Program, Student, & Alumni News
South Hills Healthcare Students Participate in UPMC Altoona Trauma Drill
October 22, 2019
Administrative Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Health Information Technology students from the Altoona Campus of South Hills School of Business & Technology recently participated in a trauma drill at UPMC Altoona. Afterwards, they were given a tour of some of the hospital facilities, including the the STAT MedEvac 11 helicopter and its landing area.
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South Hills School Of Business & Technology Holds Spring Commencement Ceremony
June 26, 2019
South Hills School of Business & Technology held its 49th annual commencement ceremony for the graduating class of June 2019 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
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South Hills Students Donate To The Jared Box Project
March 7, 2019
The Health Careers Club at South Hills School of Business & Technology collected donations to buy supplies to assemble Jared Boxes for a Central Pennsylvania based organization whose mission is to lift the spirits of children in the hospital.
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South Hills Students Collect Donations For The Jared Box Project
January 25, 2019
The Health Careers Club at South Hills School of Business & Technology has been collecting donations for the Jared Box Project, a local nonprofit organization that donates "Jared Boxes" filled with small toys, games, and activities to young patients who are in the hospital.
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South Hills Students Give Back To Local Community
January 16, 2019
The Health Careers Club at South Hills School of Business & Technology’s Lewistown Campus recently donated money to different causes as part of its ongoing campaign to give back to the community.
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South Hills Health Information Technology Students Tour Geisinger Gray’s Woods
November 21, 2018
South Hills School of Business & Technology's Health Information Technology students recently took an academic field trip to the Geisinger Gray’s Woods facility where they received a guided tour from Geisinger Health Systems Business Supervisor and South Hills alumna, Lori Eckley. The students got a first-hand look at tasks they can expect to perform once they graduate.
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South Hills Utilizes Local Experts to Prepare Students for the Workplace
November 20, 2018
To keep the curriculums for its 11 specialized associate degree programs current and relevant to the community's workforce needs, South Hills School of Business & Technology relies on input from Program Advisory Committees that are comprised of local employers, internship site supervisors, and South Hills alumni.
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Health Careers Club Raises Funds for Local Animal Rescue Organization
October 24, 2018
The Health Careers Club at South Hills School of Business & Technology recently organized a fundraiser to help support One Dog at a Time, a humane animal rescue group based in Lewistown that has a special program for SCI Rockview inmates that allows them to help train rescued dogs for war veterans with PTSD.
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Altoona Health Careers Club Gives to Local “Toys for Tots” Campaign
December 21, 2017
The Health Careers Club at the South Hills Altoona campus recently made a substantial donation to the Ebensburg Toys for Tots campaign.
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Health Careers Club Helps Women’s Resource Center
December 12, 2017
The Health Careers Club at South Hills School of Business & Technology collected gifts to help a client of the Centre County Women’s Resource Center celebrate the Christmas season.
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Meet the Faculty
Kay Strigle, RHIA
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Kay's Biography
Kay Strigle, RHIA has been an instructor with South Hills since 1986 when she started the Health Information Technology program. She serves as the Director of the program.
Kay graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Medical Records Administration and maintains her RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) credentials.
She has worked as a Supervisor of Medical Records in an HMO in the Dallas area, as well as Director of Medical Records and Director of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review in an acute care setting. Kay brings her management skills and knowledge of the healthcare field into the classroom environment.
Recognized as an outstanding member of PHIMA for her work in HIT education, Kay is an active member of AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association), PHIMA (Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association) and CPHIMA (Central Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association).
Kay Strigle, RHIA has been an instructor with South Hills since 1986 when she started the Health Information Technology program. She serves as the Director of the program.
Kay graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Medical Records Administration and maintains her RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) credentials.
She has worked as a Supervisor of Medical Records in an HMO in the Dallas area, as well as Director of Medical Records and Director of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review in an acute care setting. Kay brings her management skills and knowledge of the healthcare field into the classroom environment.
Recognized as an outstanding member of PHIMA for her work in HIT education, Kay is an active member of AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association), PHIMA (Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association) and CPHIMA (Central Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association).
Pam Meister, RN
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Pam's Biography
Pam Meister has taught at South Hills for 18 years. Pam is an instructor of anatomy and physiology and other health-related classes. She is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a BSN in Nursing. Pam has practiced throughout the U.S. in the areas of Medical-Surgical, Psychiatric, and OR Nursing. She is a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She is also a member of the Anatomy & Physiology Society, Inc., which is dedicated to promoting excellence in the teaching of human anatomy and physiology.
Pam Meister has taught at South Hills for 18 years. Pam is an instructor of anatomy and physiology and other health-related classes. She is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a BSN in Nursing. Pam has practiced throughout the U.S. in the areas of Medical-Surgical, Psychiatric, and OR Nursing. She is a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She is also a member of the Anatomy & Physiology Society, Inc., which is dedicated to promoting excellence in the teaching of human anatomy and physiology.
Brenda Ream Stover,
RHIT, CCS, CPC, CPB, CPC-I, Approved Instructor
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Brenda's Biography
Brenda previously served at Centre Community Hospital [Mount Nittany Medical Center] for 12 years as a transcriptionist, coder, and later as a supervisor for the coding and transcription departments.
Brenda’s accreditations include:
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), AAPC 2013
• Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, AHIMA 2009
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), AHIMA 1998
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA 1991
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Biller (CPB), Approved Instructor 2019
She holds the following professional memberships:
• AHIMA—American Health Information Management Association
• PHIMA— Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• CPHIMA—Central Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• AAPC—American Academy of Professional Coders
Brenda previously served at Centre Community Hospital [Mount Nittany Medical Center] for 12 years as a transcriptionist, coder, and later as a supervisor for the coding and transcription departments.
Brenda’s accreditations include:
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), AAPC 2013
• Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, AHIMA 2009
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), AHIMA 1998
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA 1991
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Biller (CPB), Approved Instructor 2019
She holds the following professional memberships:
• AHIMA—American Health Information Management Association
• PHIMA— Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• CPHIMA—Central Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• AAPC—American Academy of Professional Coders
Jamie Ellison, RHIA
Program Coordinator / Instructor
Altoona Campus
Jamie's Biography
Jamie Ellison has been an instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2014 and currently serves as Coordinator of the Health Information Technology program at our Altoona Campus.
A graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, Jamie earned her B.S. in Health Information Management. She has been a Registered Health Information Administrator since 2000. She started her career as an Oncology Registrar at the Cancer Center at St. Clair Hospital, and has since been Director of Medical Records in a Long-Term Care Facility, State Correctional Institution, and an Intellectual Disability Center. She is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association (PHIMA) and the Western Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association (WPHIMA).
Jamie Ellison has been an instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2014 and currently serves as Coordinator of the Health Information Technology program at our Altoona Campus.
A graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, Jamie earned her B.S. in Health Information Management. She has been a Registered Health Information Administrator since 2000. She started her career as an Oncology Registrar at the Cancer Center at St. Clair Hospital, and has since been Director of Medical Records in a Long-Term Care Facility, State Correctional Institution, and an Intellectual Disability Center. She is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association (PHIMA) and the Western Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association (WPHIMA).
CAHIIM Student Outcomes
Health Information Technology Program Outcome Statistics
| State College | Cohort | Altoona | Cohort | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate* | Inactive | N/A | 50% | 8 |
| Employment Rate* | Inactive | N/A | 75% | 4 |
| Graduate Satisfaction** | Inactive | N/A | 86% | 7 |
*As reported to ACCSC (American Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges)
**As reported on CAHIIM 2020 APAR (Annual Program Assessment Report)
Program Advisory Committees
Altoona Campus
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Lisa Young, RHIT, CRC, CDEO, CPC | Quality Coding Documentation Educator II | Geisinger Health Plan/Gray’s Woods |
| Betsy Susko, RHIT | Informatics | James E. VanZandt Medical Center |
| Sherri Stayer | Practice Manager | Lung Disease Center of Central PA |
| Mary Walker, RHIT | Informatics | James E. VanZandt Medical Center |
| Arlene Tressler, RHIT | HIM Service Leader | JC Blair Memorial Hospital |
| Jennifer McClaren, RHIA | Director of Quality Assurance | Adelphoi Village |
| Diane Harris, RHIT | Director of IT | UPMC Altoona |
| Kelly Harris, RHIT | HIM Manager | Tyrone Regional Hospital |
| Faith Neal, MBA, RHIA, CCS, CHP, CPHQ, CPHRM, CPEHR, HIM | Senior Consultant | nThrive |
| Pamela Starr, RHIT | Compliance & Privacy Officer | Blair Medical Associates |
| Michele Gonsman, RN, BSN, ALNC, CPSS | Owner/Nurse Consultant | Gonsman Group Legal Nurse Consulting, LLC |
| Walter C. Wright, Jr., RHIA | Director | Health Information Services & Revenue Integrity |
| Ashley Waybright | ER Health Unit Coordinator | UPMC Bedford |
| Leah Moist | Patient Service Representative | Women’s Health and Laser Care |
