Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)

Community College of Allegheny County

Health IT Certificate Program

The CCAC Health Information Technology (Health IT) certificate program is a six-month certificate program offered in an effort to complete the nationwide goal to make patient data readily accessible through the implementation of computer systems that store and share medical information.

This training is ideal for individuals interested in preparing for the growing field of Health IT. It is designed to enhance existing education or to assist those with appropriate work experience to reenter the workforce. There is an estimated nationwide need for 38,000 additional Health IT workers in the next five years.**

This six-month program:

  • is completed entirely online
  • prepares you to participate in electronic health record (EHR) implementation projects

Prospective students should have experience in one of these fields:

  • Information technology
  • Health information management
  • Healthcare

 

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The Program

Students will complete six required non-credit courses and one lab within the six month timeframe. The courses cover a range of IT topics and prepares the student to take HITPRO***, the national HIT exam. 

 Selected Course Titles:

  • Installation and Maintenance of Health IT Systems
  • Health Management Information Systems
  • Networking and Health Information Exchange
  • Configuring EHRs
  • Planning/Management/Leadership
  • Project Management

 

Is this program for me?

The Health IT program aims to align with the larger vision of CCAC. One of the college goals driving the Health IT program is to "guide and support the economic development of our region with responsive, solution-driven workforce training programs." With that in mind, preference will be given to applicants who fit the following criteria:
 

  • Applicants with experience and education in information technology (IT) or healthcare
  • An Associates degree or higher in a related discipline (computer science, information science, nursing informatics, records management, business, health administration) is recommended. 

This program will not prepare the student to obtain an RHIT credential. This program is not suitable as an entry level or stand-alone program into either the IT or healthcare fields.

 What can I expect?

The program covers a wide range of topics that will prepare the student to implement large, multi-user computer systems. Some of those topics are: 
 

  • Requirements gathering
  • Design specifications
  • Communication protocols, interfaces, HL7
  • Usability and Human Factors
  • Team Development
  • Project management tools
  • Hands on experience with an EHR
  • System Testing theory

You can expect to spend 10 to 25 hours per week on the course material which will include readings, discussion boards, tests and slide presentations. For more information contact 724.325.6848 or email HITTraining@ccac.edu.


Applying for the Program

Spring 2013:

  • Applications are being accepted for the spring term. Classes will begin in March.
  • Applications can be submitted by clicking on the link below.

View and complete the HIT application.


 When will I know if I have been accepted?

Notice of acceptance will be emailed approximately 10 days before the classes begin. Registration for classes will be open at that time.


 *Funding for this program provided by US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

**source: Bureau of Labor Stats, DOE and independent studies

***The HITPRO exam is administered by PearsonVue, www.pearsonvue.com/hitpro.