Faculty
Faculty hold credentials through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) in addition to AHIMA credentials and are members of the American Health Information Management Association, Tennessee Health Information Management Association and Chattanooga Area Health Information Management Association.
Internet Access
Not all cellular phones, or tablets, have the ability to access eLearn and open all associated documents and media correctly. Not all cellular phones have the capability to submit assignments and assessments in eLearn. For this reason, it is required that all students who enroll must have access to a computer (desktop or laptop) for required course submissions and assessments.
Work Settings
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of September 4, 2019 update of the Occupational Outlook Handbook projects a 11% growth in health information technician careers over the next eight years. “Health Information technicians typically need a post-secondary certificate to enter the occupation..."
MCB Work will require long periods of standing and/or sitting. Depending on the job duties standing may be required 30% of the time. Sense of touch will be required 90% of the time. Low levels of lifting (10 pounds or less) are required approximately 25% of the time. Medium levels of lifting (20 to 40 pounds) and carrying may be required less than 5% of the time. Near vision reading of paper records or computer screens is required 100% of the time. Some records may be handwritten and fonts may be small. HIM professionals spend the greater portion of the work day reading and analyzing both handwritten and computerized documents. Individuals should appropriately assess their personal limitations and abilities within these areas.
MCB candidates should be aware that many employers assess potential employee skill sets during the hiring process. Employers are expecting graduates who can function independently, and apply state and federal laws to a variety of scenarios.
Criminal Background Checks
Following acceptance and prior to entering the first career course in designated health care programs, each student must undergo a criminal background check in order to comply with policies of affiliating clinical practice agencies. It shall be the student’s responsibility to comply with instructions provided upon acceptance and provide the results by a designated date. The background check will be at the expense of the student. Students who do not meet this requirement in a timely manner or whose background does not meet agency standards will not be able to successfully complete the program.
Additionally, a criminal background may preclude employment. Individuals with a question concerning this should schedule an appointment with the program director.
Progression Policy
A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses taken to fulfill the HIMT curriculum. Students who fail an HIMT core course (that is, achieve a grade of “D” or “F”), are immediately withdrawn from the program. A core course has the prefix of HIMT. These students may reapply to the program, but there is no guarantee of acceptance back into the program. A student who is re-accepted, and again fails a course, is permanently removed from the program.
Program Options
Effective with the Fall 2018 cohort, the Chattanooga State HIM Program no longer provides online programming. Admitted MCB Program students will be required to attend face-to-face format classes. Additional information will be provided at HIM Information Sessions.