Health Information Technology Program Header Image

 

 

While most Registered Health Information Technicians work in hospitals, they are also found in other healthcare settings including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. RHITs may also be employed in any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.

Registered Health Information Technicians:

  • Ensure the quality of medical/health records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.
  • Use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.
  • Often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. An additional role for Registered Health Information Technicians is a cancer registrar — compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients.

 

For more information on the field of Health Information Technology, click on the health information management association links below.

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)

Montana Health Information Management Association

Job Title Median Wage Annual Job Openings Expected Growth
Health Information Technician US: $65,280 US: 35,500 US: 16%

Information provided by US Bureau of Labor Statistics

For information related to career opportunities in this field, please visit AHIMA.org/careers


Employer Job Boards

 

Mayo Clinic Logo
Mayo Clinic Job Board

 

The Health Information Technology program at Great Falls College MSU is committed to providing students with the required skills and abilities to perform at high levels in the health information technology field. The Health Information Technology program's goals are also geared to support the community with highly skilled and educated professionals.

Our Program Is:

  • Accredited
  • Fully Online
  • AHIMA Membership is included and paid for
  • RHIT Exam Fee is paid for by Great Falls College MSU

 


What Our Graduates Say


  • "Great Falls College MSU has given me the knowledge, skills and inspiration to succeed in the HIM field. The powerful HIT program I completed in 2011 has produced multiple, exciting employment opportunities. I could not possibly be happier with my HIT degree, RHIT certification and my chosen career field. Thank you Great Falls College MSU!"
    - Matthew Eby, RHIT
  • "The education I received from Great Falls College MSU paved the way to my dream job!"
    - Audrey Schanck, RHIT
  • "Great Falls College MSU’s online course allowed me to work full-time and achieve my goal of obtaining a degree in Health Information Technology. The education I received has prepared me for the exciting and challenging HIM field. Thank you GFC MSU!"
    - Kim Gordon, RHIT, CCA
  • "I am proud of my education I received from the school especially in my program. I have no complaints at all with the level of education I attained through my instructors. With an online program, I also feel it depends on how much effort the student is willing to delegate to the task of learning."
    - Mary McMann, RHIT, CCA

Health Information Technology Program Estimated Costs


Figure Out Your Finances

Students seeking federal financial aid (which includes grants and loans) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which online at fafsa.ed.gov. As a result of completing a FAFSA, an applicant will receive a federal Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or online. An electronic version of the SAR is automatically sent to the schools listed on the FAFSA. To list Great Falls College MSU, use our school code: 009314.

Students applying for financial aid may also be required to provide proper federal income tax information, completed verification materials, and any other information requested by the Financial Aid Office. Students must apply for financial aid annually.

Assistance is available to prospective students applying for financial aid. In addition, financial aid counseling for new students is an integral part of the admissions and orientation process. Once enrolled, students may receive counseling and assistance as needed. For assistance, please call 406-771-4334, or write to the Financial Aid Office, Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405, or email finaid@gfcmsu.edu.

Great Falls College MSU also offers a wide variety of different scholarships to assist you in paying for your college. To view a list of current scholarship offerings, please see our scholarship page.

Health Information Technology Program Requirements

Please note: Students must find their own clinical site for course AHMS 275. Please contact your advisor for more details.

For the complete course list and for more information on pre-requisite courses, please visit the catalog page for this program.

The Health Information Technology accredtor of Great Falls College Montana State University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029-2030. 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.

The Health Information Technology two-year degree at Great Falls College MSU is delivered completely online. This is not a self-paced program; institution deadlines are followed.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national certification examination for Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) given through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) .

2021-2022 HIT Program Metrics
Certification Exam Pass Rate 80%
Graduation Rate 70%
Retention Rate 71%
Attrition Rate 29%
Employment Rate (within 1 year of graduation) 50%

HIT Degree Transfer for Bachelor's Degree in Health Information Management (RHIA)

Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIAs) are skilled in the collection, interpretation, and analysis of patient data. Additionally, they receive the training necessary to assume managerial positions related to these functions. RHIAs interact with all levels of an organization—clinical, financial, administrative—that employ patient data in decision making and every day operations.

RHIAs enjoy job placements in a broad range of settings that span the continuum of healthcare including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. The growth of managed care has created additional job opportunities in HMOs, PPOs, and insurance companies. Prospects are especially strong in these settings for RHIAs who possess advanced degrees in business or health administration.

A Bachelor's degree in Health Information Management from an accredited college would allow graduate students to sit for the national credentialing exam for Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) sponsored by AHIMA. Graduates can be expected to find jobs as:

  • HIM Department
  • HIM Systsem Manager
  • Data Quality Manager
  • Chief Privacy Officer
  • HIM College Instructor
  • Consultant

Depending upon the institution, some credits from Great Falls College MSU’s Health Information Technology degree may be transferred to another institution. For additional information, students should consult the Program Director of the institution you wish to transfer into to complete your bachelor degree.

Some accredited RHIA colleges offer their degree through distance learning, which allows the student to achieve their degree from their own home. For a full listing of the AHIMA-accredited RHIA colleges, access the AHIMA website for college search .

 


Health Information Technology Faculty

 

Tina Gambhir

Dr. Tina Gambhir, MJ, RHIA
HIT Program Director
tina.gambhir@gfcmsu.edu

 


Accreditation Statement

The Health Information Technology accredtor of Great Falls College Montana State University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029-2030. 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.

 

edit