Health Information Technology at Richland Community College

Two more foundational online courses in our Health Information Technology Program:

💠 HIT 241 – Pharmacology
Pharmacology provides students with an introduction to the principles of drug therapy and how medications are used to prevent and treat disease. Students learn about the major drug classifications, medication actions, dosage forms, routes of administration, therapeutic uses, and potential adverse effects.
Organized by body system, this course helps students understand the relationship between diseases and the medications used to treat them.

What you'll learn:
▪️Drug classifications and therapeutic uses
▪️Medication actions and side effects
▪️Routes of medication administration
▪️Common medications by body system
▪️Safe medication practices and healthcare documentation

💠 HIT 248 – Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology builds a strong medical knowledge foundation by examining how diseases develop, progress, and affect normal body function. Students study the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatment, and prevention of diseases affecting each body system. This course strengthens students' understanding of medical conditions commonly encountered in healthcare documentation, coding, and health information management.

What you'll learn:
▪️Disease processes and causes
▪️Signs, symptoms, and disease progression
▪️Diagnostic tests and treatment options
▪️Disorders of each body system
▪️Medical concepts essential for coding and health information management

Together, Pharmacology and Pathophysiology provide the essential medical foundation needed for success in the Health Information Technology program. These courses help students accurately interpret medical records, understand the relationship between diseases and treatments, and prepare for advanced coursework in coding, reimbursement, and health information management.

For more information, click here: https://www.richland.edu/academics/programs-degrees/healthinformationtechnology/

Fall classes begin August 17th. New students can go to richland.edu/apply to start the application process.

Current students - schedule an appointment with your Success Coach ~ Contact Allison Shuppara-Ooton, Student Success Coach, [email protected], (217) 875-7211, Ext. 6304 or Kristina Wilson, [email protected], (217) 875-7211, Ext. 6232 to register for classes.

Two of the 1st semester online courses you would take in our Health Information Technology Program are: HIT 101 Introduction to Health Information Technology and HIT 140 Medical Terminology.

✅ HIT 101 – Introduction to Health Information Technology

This course provides an introduction to the exciting and growing field of Health Information Technology (HIT). Students will explore the role of health information professionals in today's healthcare environment, including electronic health records (EHRs), data quality, privacy and security, healthcare regulations, revenue cycle, compliance, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Students will gain an understanding of the many career opportunities available in Health Information Technology and develop the foundational knowledge needed for success in the program and profession.

👇What you'll learn:
♦️The role of Health Information Technology in healthcare
♦️Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
♦️Healthcare data management and quality
♦️Privacy, confidentiality, and HIPAA
♦️Healthcare reimbursement and compliance
♦️Career pathways in Health Information Technology
♦️Current trends, including AI and healthcare technology

This course serves as the foundation for the HIT program and prepares students for advanced coursework while introducing them to a rewarding healthcare career that combines healthcare, technology, and data management.

✅ HIT 140 – Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is the language of healthcare, and this course provides the foundation needed for success in all areas of Health Information Technology. Students learn to interpret, spell, pronounce, and define medical terms. The course covers the anatomy and physiology of each body system, common diseases and disorders, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, medications, and medical abbreviations.

👇What you'll learn:
🔹Medical word-building using prefixes, suffixes, and root words
🔹Anatomy and physiology of all body systems
🔹Diseases, disorders, and medical conditions
🔹Diagnostic procedures and laboratory testing
🔹Surgical terminology and treatments
🔹Pharmacology terminology
🔹Medical abbreviations and healthcare documentation

A strong understanding of medical terminology is essential for careers in Health Information Technology, medical coding, health information management, clinical documentation, cancer registry and many other healthcare professions.

This course provides the language skills needed to accurately interpret medical records and communicate effectively within the healthcare team.

📋 Apply today: https://www.richland.edu/apply/how-to-apply/
📅 Meet with a Success Coach: https://www.richland.edu/apply/meet-with-your-success-coach/

💬 Please share with anyone who might be interested in a career change!

Setting up for the Sangamon Valley and Riverton High School Career fair. ✔️

Looking for a job while going to school? Richland has an opening for an administrative assistant in the Liberal Arts Department. Full time. Salary: $19.34 - $24.18/hr.

https://richland.peopleadmin.com/postings/1446