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According to estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Education, and independent studies, there is currently a shortfall of qualified Health Information Technology (HIT) workers. Within the next five years, trained personnel in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) field will be in high demand at hospitals and physician offices throughout the United States as they continue to adopt electronic medical records systems. With technological advances and new federal legislation proposed and ruled under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, including the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HiTech) Act, there is a need for information to be solely computer-generated and analyzed for compliance. This increased need is expected to grow in Florida and across the nation as physician practices and healthcare facilities continue to move to an electronic format. Miami Dade College is a known leader in addressing the needs of the healthcare community and preparing students for the ever changing healthcare workforce. an prepares students for employment in acute care facilities, extended care facilities, nursing homes, clinics, and physician offices. The primary goal of the program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for becoming self-directed learners who are able to communicate effectively, problem-solve and think critically in the dynamic and rapidly changing health information technology profession. The impetus for the Health Information Technology program grows directly from the community’s distinct need for trained, ethical professionals in the evolving field of health information technology. With its very highly trained and dedicated team of faculty, Miami Dade College is at the forefront of preparing a skilled workforce of healthcare professionals in the Health Information Technology profession. Graduates of the Associate of Science degree in Health Information Technology gain a continuum of technical, supervisory, and management skills necessary to meet workforce needs and labor market projections for Health Information Technology professionals.
currently offers two short-term programs leading to a career pathway towards the Associate of Science in Health Information Technology. These two short-term programs include Health Informatics Specialist and a Medical Coder/Biller Specialist.prepares students for employment in various healthcare settings where the electronic health record is being implemented or maintained.
The Medical Coder Biller program prepares students in coding, classifying, indexing diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of standardization, retrieval, statistical analysis, and improving overall efficiency. Students are also trained to prepare and file insurance claim forms for reimbursement. The short-term certificate program in Medical Coding and Billing also provides a pathway for students leading to completion of the Associate of Science degree in HIT.Students who successfully complete all program/course requirements towards the college credit certificate in Healthcare Informatics or the short term certificate in the Medical Coder-Biller program are eligible to apply specific college credits towards the Associate of Science degree in Health Information Technology (HIT). This offers two solid career pathways to an AS degree in HIT.
