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Can anyone recommend some colleges . . . - to get an affordible HIT degree?
Posted: Jul 25, 2013
Even better if they accept some college classes in transfer (I know that depends on the transferring college) and work experience? Are there any online schools that are approved by AHIMA?
Sorry for the typo - "affordable"
[ In Reply To ..]n/m
Western Governors University - RHIA - Health Informatics - MTSlave
[ In Reply To ..]Has the best deal out there. Passing rate of 100% for RHIA and some IT Certs to boot!
But isn't it a four year degree? - I have heard good things about it
[ In Reply To ..]But I'm an older student with a small child . . . I'm not sure I'll have the time, but I'll look into it. Thank you for your advice. I do find Informatics interesting, but I really don't want to be in administration.
Not necessarily 4 years - MTSlave
[ In Reply To ..]"Progress is measured through Competency Units (CUs)" so once you master a subject and prove it, you move on. You can get a 4-year degree much quicker and much cheaper that way. Their website spells everything out. I am spending a couple of months earning transfer credits through Straighterline first since I do not have any formal education at all to improve my chances of getting accepted. By the way I'll be turning 50 this November.
My thoughts on that - RHIA
[ In Reply To ..]You find "informatics interesting," but you don't want to be in administration. So, what exactly is it that you DO want to do? What do you think health info admin is? Do you think RHITs work, work, work, and doing what? While RHIAs what, sit around ... administrating? What is administration, anyway? Suit work?
That is the key question you need to answer for yourself. My recommendation is that you go to the AHIMA website for some job and school research.
The difference between an RHIA and RHIT is 2 years of education, which can offer expanded job prospects and better salary. Aside from that, you can do similar things with either.
There is no rule that says an RHIA has to be a suit. Administration is not a synonym for " is a suit."
Administration is what we do with health information. I am an RHIA. I am not management. My work involves the administration of health information.
The WGU degree is 4-year, but it can be earned in, I think, 2.5 years if you are motivated. It is very cost-effective. It is totally online. In comparison, brick and mortar community colleges can take 3 years for a 2-year degree. Which makes more sense...a 4-year degree in 2.5 or a 2-year in 3?
The AHIMA website has a search function for programs.
Well since you asked . . . - I would like to become a top level coder.
[ In Reply To ..]My hospital gives hiring preference and better pay to RHIT's, as they should. Really, it seems like you put a lot of words in my mouth that I simply did not say. I know that my directors have RHIAs. I also know I want nothing to do with their stress level. I don't want to work 60 hours a week and develop ulcers. I don't know how they do it. I personally would like to work towards being a compliance analyst or a chargemaster or something with more responsibility and skill, more challenge, but not as stressful as a director. Without at least an RHIT I will not be able to advance at all. I understand the difference between the RHIT and the RHIA. I am aware of many possible positions for coders at the top of their game -- I want one of them some day.
Aren't most top-level coders CCS? RHIA, please help. - confused student
[ In Reply To ..]I mean, I know an RHIT is an associate degree credential that covers all of HIM, whereas a CCS is/does not; however, wouldn't a CCS know more coding than an RHIT, and therefore, if one wants to be a top-level coder, wouldn't the preference be for a CCS?
I guess I don't get where an RHIT "should" get more rank on the coding ladder, unless that RHIT has years of coding experience in conjunction?
Sorry, I just decided to go with Andrews over my local CC's RHIT program and I'm still a bit tentative about it....
I don't know how it is everywhere else - But our facility the RHIT is the preferred credent
[ In Reply To ..]I would love to here the RHIA's opinion on whether this is just something different about where I work as compared to other employers.
*hear* - Sorry about that
[ In Reply To ..]n/m
How do you know they prefer RHITs? - What are you seeing that tells you that?
[ In Reply To ..]I ask because that is an unusual statement.
If you read the AHIMA website, it states that the RHIT is an entry-level credential. It covers everything in HIT from a technician standpoint. The CCS and CCS-P demonstrate mastery-level skills in coding.
The RHIA is an entry-level credential in HIA, at a higher level than the RHIT, with a full college degree. The CCS still demonstrates mastery-level skills in coding.
In light of that, I have to wonder about any medical records manager who prefers RHITs to the exclusion of RHIAs and CCSs. It does happen that some medical records managers "really want to support" their alma mater HIT program and try to hire only from it. It also happens that some RHIT managers at small facilities don't like to hire RHIAs because they fear being out-credentialed right out of a job.
What is it that you see that makes you believe that RHITs are preferred?
Human Resources - Stating preference would be given . .
[ In Reply To ..]To RHIT or RHIT eligible candidates. They are not excluding RHIA candidates -- it is assumed that someone who has an RHIA is above and beyond qualified for a position that requires an RHIT. However, they are giving preference to RHIT rather than CPC or CCS. I don't understand it either, but I talked with human resources and RHIT is preferred over CCS. Which is why I am asking, because obviously I am going to need more education if I want to advance at all.
Is that the only facility in your area? - nm
[ In Reply To ..]Nm
No. - There are several.
[ In Reply To ..]n/m
You are correct, yes. - CCS
[ In Reply To ..]CCS shows expert knowledge of coding. You are doing the right thing if you want to be a top level coder. Andrews will teach you and you will be able to get that credential at the end of the course because you will have the knowledge to pass that exam and also start coding at a job.
Thank you! nm - confused student
[ In Reply To ..]nm
Mistaken view of the field - sm
[ In Reply To ..]You seem to be basing your opinion on a view of one facility. What you think you see there may not be an accurate reflection of reality across the board.
RHIAs do more than management. Maybe they don't where you are, but they do elsewhere.
You are basically saying that you are going to go with the bare minimum credential to squeak into a field just because you think it will keep you from being stressed out on the job.
The RHIT became a credential when there was a need for workers that 4-year colleges could not supply. Local junior colleges cranked up programs to fill the need. Now, however, students are no longer limited to sitting in classes locally, and those people go on to do RHIAs online. More and more are going for the full credential.
I think that stopping halfway for the reasons you give is misguided.
It would not be stopping halfway - If it enabled me to get the job I want.
[ In Reply To ..]It is only ONE facility. The one that I work at, which seems to be the most important factor right now. I think the RHIA is a great degree -- maybe I'll get one someday. However I have a small child and the bare minimum is what I'm looking for. You and I just have different priorities right now.
But will you know how to code? - I wonder if they
[ In Reply To ..]know that RHIT only hits on coding and when your done, you will not know how to walk into a job and start coding. Maybe they want to train you on the job? That is rare these days because coding has become more complex and most places want to see that you know how to code with proof of CCS or CPC. Most RHITs I know that are coders learned on the job (a long time ago) or got their CCS or CPC then added the RHIT. Maybe your place wants you to do a little bit of everything, like analyzing, data entry, charge entry, filing, all to do with the medical record and maybe some coding not just coding?
Already a CPC - I code outpatient accounts
[ In Reply To ..]n/m
You would get better advice if you explained that first - Annoyed
[ In Reply To ..]When you asked the question, you did not mention that you were already a certified coder. Now, after everyone has wasted their time with answers that don't please you, you announce that you are a certified coder. That changes everything.
If you had read my original post - You would notice
[ In Reply To ..]That I simply asked for opinions on colleges where I could get an HIT degree. That was all. YOU were the one who assumed I didn't know what I was talking about, was mistaken about the field, etc. You wasted your own time.
Oh & by the way . . - The very first responder to my question
[ In Reply To ..]answered it quite nicely & pleased me very much. I don't know how posting another post saying I wasted your time saved you any more time but whatever makes you happy.
Although on second thought - You may be right.
[ In Reply To ..]I am going to keep the RHIA under consideration. I think WGU sounds perfect, and once I start and get a feel for it, maybe I can determine if it is something I can do. I just don't want to bite off more than I can chew right now.
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