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Welcome to the Health Information Technology (HIT) Program at Illinois Central College (ICC).
On behalf of the HIT faculty, I would like to express my pleasure that you have chosen ICC to make your dream of becoming an HIT professional a reality.
This handbook and the Catalog and Student Handbook are the policies and procedures you must follow and are accountable for adhering to. Sometimes, the HIT Program requirements may exceed the College's requirements.
If you have any questions regarding the policies and procedures of the HIT Program, please contact the Program Director. You may schedule an appointment by calling (309) 690-7530.
We're looking forward to helping you achieve course objectives, student learning outcomes, and program and professional standards.
Wendee Guth, RN, MS, CNE, Dean of Health Careers
Leah Grebner, PhD, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMA, Health Information Technology Program Director
Introduction
The Health Information Technology (HIT) Program is committed to providing quality education to graduate students who will become well-trained health information management professionals.
Program faculty include full-time and part-time instructors, Health Information Management professionals at Professional Practice Experience facilities, and occasional participation by faculty of other health career programs. The program is updated regularly to stay current with changes in health care and the role of health information managers and to respond to program evaluation and assessment. View Faculty and Staff Information.
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This handbook contains the following sections. Use the quick links for easy navigation.
General Information
Learn about Illinois Central College.
Student Hub
Visit the Student Hub, your one-stop portal for everything you need about campus information and services. You can find information about your User ID and password, technology support, Canvas, the Bookstore, Safety and Security, Student Life, the Library and Academic Support Center, well-being, and more.
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Program Overview
Health Information Technology program information is available in the ICC Catalog and Student Handbook.
Health Information Technology
Upon completing the program requirements, the student is awarded an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Health Information Technology.
Learn more about the Health Information Technology Program in the ICC Catalog:
Program Outcomes (Effectiveness)
- Students will graduate from the program with entry-level skills as health information management professionals.
- Graduates will obtain employment in the health information management career field.
- Graduates will be satisfied with the program’s curriculum, which prepares them for the role of entry-level health information management professional.
- Employers will be satisfied with graduates’ knowledge and skills as entry-level health information management professionals.
- The program's educators will utilize effective instructional methods and remain current with contemporary health information management practices.
Program Length Layout
The program starts in the fall semester and continues for three additional semesters, with a summer session before the fall semester of the sophomore year. View recommended sequencing.
Curriculum Framework
The curriculum guidelines the American Health Information Management Association set forth integrate all health information management education aspects, outlined into six domains. The HIT program emphasizes all six domain areas throughout the entire program to develop competent entry-level health information management professionals:
- Domain I. Data Structure, Content, and Information Governance
- Domain II. Information Protection: Access, Use, Disclosure, Privacy, and Security
- Domain III. Informatics, Analytics, and Data Use
- Domain IV. Revenue Cycle Management
- Domain V. Health Law and Compliance
- Domain VI. Organizational Management and Leadership
Student Handbook
The Student Handbook is published annually as part of the ICC Catalog and Student Handbook.
Student Code of Conduct
Student Policies
Student Complaints/Grievances
Student Services
Campus Police Regulations
My Alert
Current students are automatically enrolled in MyAlert to receive emergency notifications through text messages, calls, and emails. Please keep this information up-to-date in your ICC account. You can opt out of receiving text or voice calls by replying unsubscribe. Learn more about emergency notifications and closings.
Program Policies and Procedures
Student Privacy and Confidentiality
Student privacy and confidentiality are respected at all times. All academic and clinical performance communication is conducted in faculty offices and/or other private rooms, including in the virtual setting. Conversations are confidential, with each faculty member using discretion with the information shared with others.
Medical Records
Student medical records are maintained by an outside contracted vendor, Illinois Work Injury Resource Center (IWIRC). Upon request from a clinical facility, the professional practice experience coordinator may need to send specific student information to that facility.
Employment While in the Program
The student's primary focus should be the program of study. Generally, the student should plan to study 2 to 3 hours for each semester hour of credit carried, remembering that HIT courses tend to require more time.
Students may not seek employment under the title “Health Information Technology Student” and are not to wear the ICC uniform, photo ID, or patch in the place of employment. The College assumes no responsibility for work performance related to skills learned in the HIT curriculum.
Academic Policies and Procedures
Academic Policies and Procedures are in the ICC Catalog and Student Handbook. Use the quick links for easy navigation.
Professional Practice Experience
Read guidelines for your professional practice experience.
Student Status
Students participating in professional practice experience are not considered employees of the host site, and will not receive compensation for services provided under the direction and supervision of the professional practice experience site preceptor. Students are not allowed in the professional practice experience site in a student capacity except during scheduled hours.
Placement and Schedules
Professional practice experience placements are determined by the program's professional practice experience coordinator and may change at any time. If a professional practice experience is canceled, the coordinator will work to reassign the student to another facility.
Every effort is made to honor student preferences for the type of practice setting for the professional practice experience, but it is not guaranteed.
The professional practice experience schedule (hours worked) is determined by the professional practice experience facility and confirmed by the professional practice experience coordinator. Students are expected to follow the professional practice experience site preceptor’s schedule, including but not limited to early or late hours, weekends, and/or holidays. Students cannot alter the professional practice experience schedule without the professional practice experience coordinator's involvement. If such an activity occurs without the professional practice experience coordinator's knowledge, the student may be suspended from the experience and/or dismissed from the program.
Employment and the Facility
To provide students with unique and fair learning experiences, students will not be allowed to use their current work experience as professional practice experience hours. While students are allowed to complete the professional practice experience at their place of employment, they must perform tasks outside the scope of their regular duties to have a learning experience. The student should meet with the professional practice experience coordinator if there are any concerns regarding conflicts of interest.
Travel Expectations
While current professional practice experience facility locations are located in Illinois, students should expect to travel up to 90 minutes one way to the assigned professional practice experience site. This time will vary based on circumstances like inclement weather or traffic conditions.
Affiliation Request
If a student requests professional practice experience at a facility not already established with the program, the student should first discuss this option with the professional practice experience coordinator. Students are not to contact agencies/facilities to arrange professional practice experience.
Costs
The student is responsible for all costs related to professional practice experience education and may have additional costs specific to a host facility. These costs include but are not limited to, travel and housing expenses, uniforms, medical/health care, access to and acceptance of emergency or other medical care, and any additional facility requirements.
Course Layout
There is one professional practice experience course for a minimum of 40 hours. Placement in the practicum occurs at the end of sophomore year, spring semester
HIT 250: This is a supervised practicum course arranged for students in various healthcare settings. Students will have the opportunity to apply Health Information Technology concepts and skills. Learn more about HIT 250.
Liability Insurance
The College provides liability insurance coverage for students enrolled in the professional practice experience course. The cost is covered under Health Careers fees.
Transportation and Parking
The student is responsible for transportation to the professional practice experience facility and related parking fees, as appropriate. The student should have a contingency plan for transportation in case of car problems or inclement weather. Appropriate parking areas at each facility will be identified, and students are expected to follow parking rules and procedures for the assigned clinical facility.
Attendance Policy
Students must report to the professional practice experience facility on time, appropriately dressed, and prepared to carry out assigned tasks. The academic calendar is published well in advance to allow planning for personal events. The student must contact the program professional practice experience coordinator and site preceptor by telephone call of any absence. The student must make up any missed professional practice experience hours at a mutually agreed upon time, which must occur during the experience time frames. The program professional practice experience coordinator must also be notified and agree to an established make-up plan for final approval.
State and National Organizations
Health Careers Policies and Protocols
As a HIT student, you are required to complete the following forms in the Health Careers Policies and Protocols document.
- Drug Screening
- Background Check/Fingerprinting
- Physical Examination And Immunizations
- Health Insurance/Financial Responsibility Waiver
- Student Chemical Impairment Policy And Procedures
- Communicable Disease Procedure
- Clinical Blood And Body Fluid Exposure
- Accident/Incident/Injury Reporting Procedure
- Professional Conduct Policy
- Social Networking Policy
- Understanding Of Program Policies
Download Health Careers Policies and Procedures
Faculty and Staff Information
Leah Grebner, Phd, RHIA, CCS,FAHIMA
Full-Time Faculty and Program Director
(309) 690-7546
leah.grebner@icc.edu
Peoria Campus, Cedar Hall, C105P
Kris Cormany, RHIA, Coding Specialist
Full-Time Faculty and UnityPoint Methodist-Systems Services
(309) 690-7545
kristine.cormany@icc.edu
Peoria Campus, Cedar Hall, C105N
Bonnie Pollock, CPC, CDI Specialist
Adjunct Faculty and UnityPoint Health Pekin- System Services
(309) 690-7530
bonnie.pollock@icc.edu
Peoria Campus, Cedar Hall, C105
Wendee Guth
Dean of Health Careers
(309) 690-7535
wendee.guth@icc.edu
Peoria Campus, Cedar Hall, C105S
Office Staff
Administrative Assistants
(309) 690-7530
healthcareersinfo@icc.edu
Peoria Campus, Cedar Hall, 105