Get the Skills to Become a Health Information Professional
13 to 18-Month* Online Health Information Specialist Certificate Program
Health Information Specialists play a vital role in managing, protecting, and utilizing healthcare data. Professionals in this field analyze health data to help improve patient care and control costs.
If you’re interested in pursuing a fulfilling career in healthcare without direct patient interaction, consider becoming a Health Information Specialist.
The best way to see if the College of Westchester is the right fit for you is to attend an online or in-person information session. You’ll get a true feel for what it’s like to be a part of the CW community. Schedule an information session now or Get more info.
Becoming a Qualified Health Information Specialist
Graduate with a Health Information Specialist certificate online from CW. In this fully developed on-ground and online curriculum, students will learn to code inpatient and outpatient healthcare services using ICD 10-CM, PCS, and CPT coding systems. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to attempt a Professional Coding exam.
Is a Career as a Health Information Specialist Right for You? Take the CW “Health Information Specialist College and Career Readiness Quiz”
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Health Information Courses
| Course No. | Course Title | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MED103 | Medical Terminology » | 3 |
| Students will be introduced to the foundation of medical terminology through a thorough study of the roots, prefixes, and suffixes which form medical language. Students will also learn the vocabulary used in various medical specialties. Spelling, definitions, and pronunciation are stressed.
Number: MED103 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED111 | Healthcare Law and Ethics » | 3 |
| This course will introduce for discussion a variety of ethical issues that healthcare professionals may encounter during the course of their careers. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of ethical and professional behavior in the healthcare workplace. In depth discussions, textbook assignments and role playing will provide guidance to students in how to successfully manage patient relationships, protect patient privacy in compliance with the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act as well as understand the distinct job responsibilities of the myriad of employees who comprise the typical healthcare organization. Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course.
Number: MED111 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED201 | Introduction to Medical Coding » | 3 |
| This course will provide students with an introduction to the historical development of medical nomenclature and classification systems including ICD-9-10-CM, CPT-4 and HCPCS coding. This course concentrates on the coding of diseases, evaluation and management procedures, diagnostic and operative procedures and abstraction of clinical diagnostic data from source documentation in order to produce optimal reimbursement when filing claims with third party payers. Also included in this course will be an overview of the medical billing cycle including coverage of Hospital Billing Applications. In accordance with new federal regulations effective January, 2014, students will be introduced to ICD-10.
Prerequisites: MED103 or permission of Chair Number: MED201 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED203 | Advanced Medical Coding » | 3 |
| This course will leverage and build upon the skills acquired in Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding and concentrates on application of coding skills and analyzing operative reports and consultation notes. These reports and other cases simulate real world out-patient clinical and hospital ICD-9-10, CPT, and HCPCS. Included will be the application of learned skills to EOB denial analysis, collection procedures, and the appeals processes as well as the study of Electronic Records Management.
Prerequisites: MED201 or permission of Chair Number: MED203 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED206 | Hospital Reimbursement » | 3 |
| This course provides an introduction to hospital reimbursement methodologies. The course will focus on basic reimbursement methodologies for inpatient settings, including Medicare acute and skilled inpatient reimbursement guidelines, Prospective Payment Systems, relationship between coding and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) assignment and coding compliance.
Prerequisites: MED201 Number: MED206 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED208 | Administrative Medical Practices » | 3 |
| This course will provide the groundwork for understanding the rules and responsibilities of allied health care providers in an administrative role. The course will cover topics such as electronic health records management, written and oral communication skills, understanding the complexity of the health insurance industry, scheduling and monitoring patient appointments, and the overall administrative duties that impact a health care facility.
Prerequisite: MED103 Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MED208 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED212 | Medical Billing » | 3 |
| The aim of the course is to provide the laboratory experience for students to demonstrate clinical competencies applicable to all medical disciplines. Students will be able to demonstrate skill and competence in the following areas: Lab Equipment and Safety, Infection Control and Asepsis, EKG, Microbiology, Urinalysis and Pregnancy Testing, Fecal Occult Blood (Hemoccult) test, Vital Signs, Pain Assessment, Visual Screening, Hearing Examination, Surgical Instrumentation, Patient Examination and Preparation, Pulmonary Function Treatment and Testing, and Medical History.
Pre- or Co-requisite: MSC207 Prerequisites: MSC126 and MSC131. Students must receive a minimum grade of C (70%) to continue on to MSC301 Practicum. Students are expected to pass the written portion of the final with a minimum score of 70% to be eligible to take the practical exam. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MSC212 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED215 | Health Information Technology » | 3 |
| This course introduces students to the health information management profession, the health information department and the health record. Basic concepts and techniques covered will include health record content, assembly, analysis, control, storage, retention, retrieval, form design and control, indices and registers, and filing systems for both paper and electronic health records.
Prerequisites: MED208 & GEN115 or permission of Chair Number: MED215 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| ACC127 | Spreadsheet Applications » | 3 |
| This course introduces Excel spreadsheet concepts using software in the Windows environment. Topics to be covered include: creating the Excel worksheet, formulas, functions, enhancing spreadsheets with graphs and charts, analyzing spreadsheet data (what–if analysis) and working with large worksheets.
Number: ACC127 Credits: 3.00 Type: Accounting |
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| BUS122 | Integrated Business Applications » | 3 |
| In this course, students will examine the concepts and applications of Microsoft Word & PowerPoint. Students will use these technology tools to create business documents, marketing materials, and develop effective business presentations that will prepare them for today’s information based business environment.
Number: BUS122 Credits: 3.00 Type: Business Administration |
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| BUS279 | Customer Relationship Management » | 3 |
| Providing excellent customer service is key when it comes to relationship management and customer retention. Students will learn basic greetings and conversation starters, as well as how to maintain a professional presence when dealing with customers. We will look at the correlation between customer service and the increase of sales and revenue. A variety of communication tools will be examined and evaluated to determine what methods may be appropriate in keeping in touch with your client base. The term project will require students to create a Customer Service training manual for a company/industry of their choice.
Number: BUS279 Credits: 3.00 Type: Business Administration |
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| GEN125 | English Composition I » | 3 |
| In this course, students develop their reading comprehension and written communication skills. Different styles of writing are examined as students develop writing proficiency through practice in planning, outlining, drafting, revising and editing. In addition to regular class meeting times, Day Division students are required to participate in a ten-week Writing Lab component which counts as ten percent of the grade for English Composition. For the Day Division,
the Writing Lab is graded as Pass or Fail.
Note: Writing Lab is not required in the Evening division or for fully online programs. Prerequisite: Proficiency Examination and/or ACE108. Number: GEN125 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| Total Major-Related Credits | 36 | |
36 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be qualified to seek employment in medical office management positions where knowledge of medical billing and coding are most important.
Online Training Suited to Your Schedule
The Health Information Specialist program is offered entirely online. You get the technical skills and practical industry knowledge it takes to pursue a rewarding health information career, with the convenience and flexibility of online training.
Is a Rewarding Career as a Health Information Professional Right For You? Get More Info…
If you’re interested in learning more about careers in Health Information and exploring whether The College of Westchester is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
For immediate questions, call 1-833-768-2842.
*Program length when completed in normal time.