Health and Medical Administrative Services

This program is a Selective Program. Application requirements are included in the description below.

Electronic Health Record Specialist

Certificate

The Electronic Health Record Specialist 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, and learn the basic functions and the use of the technology for the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Medical clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, in all types of facilities, and in various locations within a facility offer various employment settings for an Electronic Health Record Specialist. Electronic Health Record Specialist can pursue a lifelong program of continuing education.

Medical Coding Specialist

Certificate

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.

Medical clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, private coding agencies, consulting firms, and home offices offer various employment settings for Coding Specialist. Coders may pursue a certified coding specialist rating by passing the National Certification Examination that measures proficiency and competency in the standards set by the American Health Information Management Association. Medical coding specialists pursue a lifelong program of continuing education.

*Students are eligible to participate for the national examination that qualifies them for a certificate as a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), or Certified Coding Specialist - Physician-based (CCS-P).

Health Information Technology

Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology prepares students for careers as Health Information Technicians.

Health Information Technicians 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.

*The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) has accredited the program in cooperation with the Council on Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Students are eligible to participate for the national examination that qualifies them for a certificate as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Application Requirements

1. Participate in the required Prospective Student Information Session. For the session schedule, access the information online at http://nah.southtexascollege.edu or contact the HMAS Program at 956-872-3023.
2. Submit an application for admission online at Apply Texas (www.applytexas.org).
3. AAS Degree Option: Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
4. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at STC
5. Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series.
6. Submit a completed program application.

NOTE: For up-to-date program information, admission requirements and registration see: http://nah.southtexascollege.edu/

Nursing and Allied Health Graduation Requirements

To earn the Electronic Health Record, the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology, a student must meet all college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the specific degree plan with a minimum grade of “C.”

Advisory Committee Members

Margarita "Maggie" Alvarez, Office Manager, El Milagro Clinic
Rosie (Mendiola) Balderas, RHIA, CHPE, Regional Director, South Texas Health Systems
*Monte Bivens, RHIT, Tumor Registry Manager, DHR Health Advanced Care Center
Elisa Christina Chavez, Data Entry Supervisor, Valley Care Clinics
Elizabeth Gonzales, RHIT, Director of HIM Dept., Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
Itzel J. Hernandez, HIM Supervisor, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
Cyndi Lara, Office Manger, Complete Family Foot Care
Beatriz A. Lopez, Human Resources Director, Shah Eye Center
Sandra Naranjo, Medical Records Director, Mission Valley Nursing
Marivel Perez, RHIT, HIM Operations Manager, South Texas Health Systems
Veronica Ramirez, RHIT, Director, HIM Dept., Rio Grande Regional Hospital
Claudia P. Tovar, Cancer Registry Specialist, DHR Health Advanced Care Center

• Electronic Health Record Specialist Certificate
• Medical Coding Specialist Certificate
• Health Information Technology Associate of Applied Science

Electronic Health Record Specialist Certificate

TSI EXEMPT

Medical Coding Specialist Certificate

TSI EXEMPT

Health Information Technology Associate of Applied Science

TSI LIABLE