Northwestern College

Campus Programs

Do you consider yourself a highly detailed person? If so, you have an opportunity to excel in one of the fastest-growing occupations with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology from Northwestern College. This program combines classroom lecture with computer lab and hands-on practical experience to give you the competencies you need to succeed.

Individuals interested in pursuing this program should have an interest in the healthcare field, although actual patient contact is very rare. Such persons should enjoy organizing, preparing, and retrieving detailed work.

Health information technicians compile, code, and maintain patient medical records, and can also tabulate and analyze data to help prepare statistical information extracted from groups of records.

Program Objectives

• Organize and evaluate medical records for completeness and accuracy.
• Code patient records according to standard classifications.
• Utilize appropriate sanitation and universal precautions procedures.
• Consult with physicians to clarify diagnoses and treatment.
• Use computer programs to tabulate and analyze data.

Career Opportunities

Health information technicians are in demand in a variety of organizations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, medical group practices, clinics, home health agencies, ambulatory care practices, insurance companies, and public health organizations.

• Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
• The Administrative Assisting, Business Administration, Business Computer Programming, Business Information Systems, and Executive Accounting programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
• The Northwestern College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants' Endowment (AAMAE).
• The Northwestern College Health Information Technology Associate in Applied Science degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).