Purpose:
Big data analytics is transforming the way many organizations do business in dozens of industries. But the impact is most profound in the field of medicine, where an advanced health information technology analyst has the potential to revolutionize patient care.
The Health IT Analyst provides students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills required to perform a variety of specialized duties in a non-clinical healthcare setting in healthcare IT, Health Information Management and Clinical Research. Graduates may seek positions as health IT data analyst, data, healthcare data reporting analyst, healthcare business intelligence analyst, clinical decision support analyst and quality improvement analyst, and similar designations.
Health analytics have made a tremendous impact in the following segments of healthcare :
- Advancements in telemedicine
- Enhanced patient engagement
- Wearables that provide real-time alerts
- Disease prevention/population health
- Improving/refining treatment standards
- Potential to help cure diseases
- Improved staffing efficiency
- Prevention of opioid abuse
Student Learning Outcomes
- Compiling and organizing health care data
- Analyzing data to assist in delivering optimal health care management and decision making
- Collecting and organizing health care data to achieve administrative needs and goals
- Demonstrated knowledge of data storage and data sharing methods
- Inspecting data to find patterns and trends
- Evaluating health care business operations based on data sources
- Utilizing different data sources for analyses
- Converting data into usable information that is easy to understand
- Developing reports and presentations
- Communicating analytic insights to stakeholders
Program Requirements
Students entering the Health IT Analyst program must meet the college’s general admissions requirements, as well as program specific admission requirements. Program specific admission requirements include:
- Completion of the Health IT Analyst Application for Admission packet, including a letter of intent and criminal background check and drug screening.
- It is strongly advised students have a professional background in Allied Health.
- Students should have English and Mathematics skills assessed. Deficiencies in these areas may be corrected by completing the appropriate developmental studies courses.
- Students may receive college credit for verified on-the-job experience.
- Courses taken out of suggested sequence must have the approval of the program advisor.
Clinical Affiliation Agreement for HIM Internship
The Health Information Management Program has clinical affiliation agreements with clinical agencies to ensure student success and safety.
- Published policies of the clinical agency must be followed.
- Each student must successfully complete an orientation program prior to participating in activities at any clinical facility.
- Each student must complete all required documents for internship for MECC and the clinical host site.
- Clinical facilities require all students to have have the ability to perform the physical demands required for internship.
- Immunizations must be current. A flu vaccine and COVID 19 vaccine may be required.
- Students release clinical agencies, its agents and employees from any liability for personal injury or death, or damage to personal property arising from the use of the clinical agency’s facilities.
- Clinical facilities require a criminal background check and drug screen clearance as a condition for student placement.
- Note: If students cannot comply with these contractual requirements, they will not be able to participate in clinical experiences.
Job Outlook
Health Informatics and Healthcare Analytics are fast growing fields and the demand for leaders with data analytics expertise will continue to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates job growth at 19%, faster than average through 2026 for fields such as health informatics and data analytics. Job growth in medical and health services management fields are expected to grow by over 17% over the next few years. Population health changes and increased use of health information exchange ensure the job outlook for health information and health data analytics remain strong for many years to come.
For Further Information, Contact:
- Nora Blankenbecler, HIM Program Director
276-523-9054 - Jane Jones, Dean of Business & Information Technology
276-523-9057
