The Health Information Technology Degree in Applied Science program is offered at the community colleges through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM). Students are admitted from each college (John A. Logan, Rend Lake, Southeastern Illinois, Shawnee Community College). Students take general education courses on their own campuses and HIT courses together in a central classroom.

The health information technician possesses both administrative and technical skills necessary to maintain components of health record systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, and legal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system. The individual plays an important role in ensuring the health care facility receives maximum reimbursement for treatment rendered. Since reimbursement is based on the diagnoses listed in the medical record, this is accomplished by analyzing and coding the medical record accurately.

Health information technicians have traditionally been employed in hospitals. However, with changing health care needs, professionals have chosen careers in physicians' group practices, managed care groups, home health care, hospices, long-term care and ambulatory surgery. Additionally, careers in health information management go beyond health care facilities. Professionals work in insurance companies, peer review organizations, accounting firms, consulting companies, law firms, computer equipment companies, prisons, and contracted service agencies.

The SICCM Health Information Technology Program is accredited by the American Medical Association and the American Health Information Management Association. Graduates of the program will qualify to sit for the national certification examination. Successful completion of this exam confers the title of Registered Health Information Technician.

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