Collin College

• Complete Collin College reading, writing, and mathematics assessments, placing at the College-Level (TSI Testing)
• Complete all pre-requisites for the HIM Program (HITT1305, HITT2471, BIOL2404) with a "C" or better. To be considered for the program, the applicant should have a 2.5 GPA or better. Please note: a 2.5 GPA or better is required to progress through the HIM program once a student is admitted.
• Completion of the HIM Admission Packet by deadline (2nd Friday in November, for Spring eligibility; 2nd Friday in May, for Fall eligibility.)

• Submit a 500 word essay on the subject, "Why Health Information?" The essay should demonstrate a working knowledge of health information management.
• Request two letters of reference from people you may have worked with or teachers (not family or friends) that can attest to your character and aptitude for healthcare. These letters should be e-mailed directly to: Michelle Millen at MMillen@collin.edu
• Schedule and complete the TEAS exam prior to the application deadline. It is a proctored exam. A minimum score of 60% is required for eligibility. 

Scheduling the TEAS Exam

TEAS test is an ATI product. Collin College conducts testing a few dates per semester. Students may contact ATI for other locations/available dates. To schedule testing at Collin College – McKinney campus, contact Cassie Peak(CPeak@collin.edu). Include your name, Collin ID(if you have one), your phone number and your test date preference. Use your cougarmail address if you have one. The test dates will be filled on a first come/first served basis so place your requests early. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the director of HIM, Michelle Millen, at MMillen@collin.edu.  

If testing on the McKinney campus, students will not be required to pay a fee for the TEAS exam on their first attempt. You will be required to pay for any additional attempts. 

 *Fall Test dates will be posted by end of August. Spring test dates will be posted by the end of January. 

 TEAS Information

No calculator or outside material is allowed in the test. Scratch paper will be provided. Only bring a photo ID and pencil with you the day of the test, all other materials will not be permitted. The exam is hosted at the Central Park Campus in McKinney, Health Sciences Center, H237. 

TEAS is the preferred test for the HIM Program. If you have scores from the HESI or PSB tests within the last three years, submit them to the HIM program director for consideration. 

Information regarding the structure of the exam can be found at: https://www.atitesting.com/Solutions/pre-program/TEAS.aspx

ATI TEAS Study Guide is available at the Central Park Campus Library. 

 

 

What Happens Next?

Once you've submitted your application, eligible candidates will be contacted for an interview with HIM faculty/staff. Continue to check your cougarmail for details. Once the interview is complete, a formal "Welcome to the program" will be sent to your cougarmail. Retain this information for verfication. 

All applications are evaluated in the same manner.

• Pre-requisites: BIOL2404, HITT1305, HITT2471. A grade of "C" or better in each course. 
• TEAS evaluations: 60% or better overall score
• Overall GPA (2.5 or higher)
• Essay
• Letters of reference

Considerations before you apply..

Castle Branch Portal

All documentation will be uploaded and maintained by our document management company, Castle Branch. The one time fee is $30.00. 

1. Immunizations are required by our PPE partners. It is important students understand they will not be placed in a PPE setting without the proper documentation of immunity. The following immunizations are required:

Immunizations are required by our PPE partners. It is important students understand they will not be placed in a PPE setting without the proper documentation of immunity. The following immunizations are required:

- Measles, Mumps, Rubella - 2 series shot/titer proving immunity
- Varicella - 2 series shot/titer proving immunity
- Hepatitis B - 3 series shot/titer proving immunity - 6 months to completion 
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis - within the last ten years

The following should be completed only prior to PPE placement...

- Tuberculosis Screening - annual screening
- Influenza Vaccination - within current season

Recommended: Hepatitis A - 2 series shot/titer proving immunity

Current health insurance is required for PPE Placement

• Application
• Student Handbook (Acknowledgement and Confidentiality Statement)
• HIPAA Acknowledgment Form
• Code of Conduct Form

Drug screens will be conducted prior to PPE placement. You will be given a short window to provide your sample so be looking for the announcement in your PPE class. The cost of the test is $29.87 payable by the HIM student. PPE instructor will provide more information.

Background checks will also be conducted prior to PPE placement. The cost is covered by the HIM program. Instructions will be provided by the HIM office and facilitated through Castle Branch
Note: It is strongly recommended that applicants self disclose any potential infractions that may hinder PPE placement and career opportunities.

• HPRS2232 - Therapeutic Communication for Health Care Professionals ISBN: 978-1-3055746-1-8
• HITT1160 - Professionalism in Healthcare: A Primer for Career Success (3rd Edition) ISBN: 978-0-1344588-0-9
• HITT1301 - Essentials of Health Information Management: Principles and Practices ISBN: 978-1-2851772-6-7, Health Information Management Technology w/ Access ISBN:978-1-5842651-7-7
• HITT1305(online) -
• HITT1305(onsite) -
• HITT1311 - Health Information Management Technology w/ Access ISBN:978-1-5842651-7-7
• HITT1341 - 
• HITT1345 - No textbook required
• HITT1353 - Fundamentals of Law for Health Informatics and Information Management ISBN: 978-1-5842607-3-8
• HITT2249 - RHIT Exam Prep w/ Access ISBN:
• HITT2339 - Health Information Management Technology with access ISBN: 978-1-5-842651-7-7
• HITT2346 -
• HITT2361 - Professionalism in Healthcare: A Primer for Career Success ISBN:978-0-1344588-0-9. VLAB access from AHIMA cost: $100
• HITT2435 - Understanding Health Insurance, A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement (Bundle) ISBN: 978-1-3371459-1-6, ICD 10 CM ISBN:978-1-6220221-2-0, CPT Codebook ISBN:978-1-6220220-4-5
• HITT2443 - Quality and performance Improvement in Healthcare ISBN:978-1-5842647-5-0, Calculating and Reporting Healthcare Statistics ISBN:978-1-5842648-0-4
• HITT2471 - 

The following will be used in multiple areas of the program and are good resources. It is in your best interest to make sure you have access to them.

• Health Information Technology by Sayles, 5th edition. Publisher: AHIMA
  Fundamentals of Law for Health Informatics and Information Management by Brodnik. Publisher: AHIMA
• VLab
• Necessary web conference accessories (webcam, camera, microphone, etc.)

• Health Information Management Technology by Sayles/Gordon, 5th edition. Publisher: AHIMA
• Fundamentals of Law for Health Informatics and Information Management by Brodnik, 3rd Edition. Publisher: AHIMA

 

• Emperor of All Maladies, by Siddhartha Mukherjee
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot
• *Complications: A surgeon's notes on an imperfect science, by Atul Gawande
• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman
• Cybermedicine: How Computing Empowers Doctors and Patients for Better Health Care, by Warner V. Slack
• Outliers; The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell
• My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey, by Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD
• The Social Transformation of American Medcine, by Paul Starr, PhD
• Designed to Adapt: Leading Healthcare in Challenging Times, by John Kenagy, MD

• Wall Street Journal
• The Journal by AHIMA (The Journal of AHIMA is available through the library in digital format. Click on the library tab through your Cougarweb.)
• Modern Healthcare
• HealthData Management

Healthcare is constantly changing and it is important for students to have a working knowledge of current issues. 

Students should petition for graduation once they have registered for their final courses. The petition should be scanned and emailed to Diana Platt (dplatt@collin.edu).

The petition can be found at:

https://www.collin.edu/shared/shared_admissions/pdf/PetGraduation/pdf

Degree will not be awarded unless a petition has been filed and evaluated. 

 

Collin College encourages the participation of our Alumni in the Collin College HIM Alumni organization. Information regarding events and activities is sent via email so if interested, provide your current personal email to the Director. Any questions regarding the group should be sent to Patricia Pierson PPierson@collin.edu, Alumni coordinator.

CAREER RESOUCES:

Just Graduated

LinkedIn

http://hicareers.com/careermap

Interested in pursing additional education?

Check out our partnerships.....

http://www.collin.edu/transferu/

http://ntxccc.org/pathways?field_career_cluster_tid%5B%5D=27&field_aas_school_tid%5B%5D=4&field_degree_path_tid=All

Want to move from your RHIT to the RHIA?

• Must have your RHIT certification by August 31, 2018.
• Have complied with the Standards for Maintenance of the RHIT credential. 
• Have at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or nationally recognized accreditor; and
• Have registered to take the RHIA by December 31, 2021