Health Information Technology FAQs
Consult the drop down menu for answers to frequently asked questions (HIT FAQs) about the Health Information Technology Program.
What is the OTC Certificate in Coding Specialist?
Don’t confuse the OTC certificate with a coding credential!
If you receive the OTC “Certificate in Coding Specialist” you may have met the education requirements to sit for the AHIMA “ Certified Coding Specialist (CCS or CCS-P)” credential exam.
Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations, and has an impact on revenues and describing health outcomes. In fact, a CCS credential has become an implicit industry standard.
Link to the AHIMA CCS and CCS-P test-taking requirements:
Is the HIT Program completely online?
Yes. A student can complete the HIT program online from start to finish!
Are there seated classes in the HIT program?
Yes. OTC offers seated general education courses.
Do HIT courses have prerequisites?
Most of the HIT courses do have prerequisites.
The only exceptions to prerequisites are:
- HIT 110 Introduction to Health Information Technology
- HIT 191 Medical Terminology
- HIT 116 Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology.
How many students are in the HIT program?
Currently we have around 172 students enrolled in the HIT Program.
Do I need to apply for admission into the HIT program?
No. HIT is an “open admission” program.
Do I need to be a full time student to be in the HIT program?
No. You can be a part time or full time student. You should anticipate completing the program within 3 ½ years.
What are the student grade requirements in the program?
HIT has a demanding curriculum to assist student success in future career goals. In the HIT courses, a 75% (“C”) or better is considered passing.
What is the course repeat policy?
If this is student’s third attempt, they are requested to email the Program Director, Denise Baer.
Whom do I need to have as my academic advisor?
You need to have one of the HIT Program faculty as your advisor in order to keep informed about any changes within the HIT Program curriculum. Here is the HIT Faculty information.
If you currently do not have a HIT faculty advisor, you can request to change your assigned Academic Advisor by completing the Change of Advisor form.
Should I attend a HIT Program Informational & Academic Advising Session?
Click HERE to find further information on HIT informational sessions.
Where is information about financial assistance or student services available?
The Student Affairs office is responsible for Student Development, Financial Aid, Records and Registration, Student Services and Veteran’s Affairs. They work diligently to provide students with the resources they need to make the college process easier, friendlier and more pleasant. If you have any questions:
- You can contact Financial Aid directly: financialaid@otc.edu
- You can contact Student Services directly: studentservices@otc.edu.
What is the HIT Civility Policy?
Will I have the opportunity to participate in a professional experience in the program?
Yes, you will! The HIT 290 Professional Practice Experience facilitates supervised field-based learning in affiliated healthcare and health-care-related agencies. The course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to integrate classroom and clinical experience with the Health Information Management Department and other associated departments. Students will be expected to complete a defined number of hours of nonpaid practical experience.
HIT 290 Professional Practice Experience
HIT 290 Professional Practice Experience is the cumulation of the student’s hard work in acquiring the knowledge and skills throughout the program.
HIT 290 is taken your last semester of the program. It is only available in Spring and Fall.
HIT 290 has an application process you must follow to register (you cannot register for this course on your own – you must be approved to register).
- Review of AHIMA Domains (competencies) to reinforce HIT knowledge
- Clinical Rotations (these are student experiences to connect knowledge and understanding into action). This is key to this course – students will receive the best available clinic site experience in a six-week, forty-eight-hour (eight hours-one day a week) practicum.
- Comprehensive Program Exam
To apply the student must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50
- Grade of “C” or higher in all HIT program courses
- The following courses are exceptions to this grade requirement IF taken at the same time
- HIT 200, HIT 201, HIT 265, HIT 280
- The following courses are exceptions to this grade requirement IF taken at the same time
Application process:
- Complete application form (announced in HIT courses)
- Student approval status will be emailed to students
- If approved an invitation to a “mandatory” orientation meeting reviewing course requirements such as, but not limited to:
- Immunizations, AHIMA Membership (student responsible cost)
- Criminal background check, random drug test (no student cost – covered in student fees)