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HIT/CIM/Coding Frequently Asked Questions

 

 
I have never taken an online course before. What do I need to know, what will it be like and what are the system requirements?

Review the list of skills and technical requirements to assess your readiness to take online classes and go through the distance education orientation program here.


What if the classes that I want to take are full? What is a wait list?

A wait list is a way to prioritize when seats open in a class before the semester starts. A course wait list can also be used to prioritize distribution of add codes on the first day of the semester.

If a class is full, it may have a wait list. For instructions on how to enroll on a wait list go to www.sbcc.edu/admissions/waitlists.

Being on the wait list does not guarantee enrollment/registration in a course. If, on the first day of the semester students are listed on wait list, the course instructor will review the wait list and email any approved waitlisted students with an add authorization code. Students will be communicated with via their Pipeline email account. If a student is approved and receives an add authorization code, it is important that the student use the add code within 24 hours to register for class. For HIT/CIM courses, please do not email the instructor to request an add authorization code. The instructor will contact you via your Pipeline email if an add code is being issued.

For more information on wait lists please visit www.sbcc.edu/admissions/waitlists



I didn't take any courses this semester. Do I have to re-apply for next semester?
Yes! You need to resubmit a new application at www.sbcc.edu/prospective, selecting the correct term.


How do I apply and enroll?

  1. Complete an SBCC application at www.sbcc.edu/prospective. Make sure to select the correct term!
  2. If you are new to college and pursuing a degree, see the next question about new student holds.
  3. If you have attended other colleges or are pursuing a certificate, there will be no new student holds. You will be able to register once your priority registration date comes up.
  4. To find your registration date, you will log into Pipeline at pipeline.sbcc.edu, go to ‘Registration’, then to 'Check Your Pre-Registration Requirements and Registration Appointment'.
  5. Once your registration date is here, go to our web schedule (www.sbcc.edu/classes), choose the classes that you want to register for, and write down their CRN numbers.
  6. Log into Pipeline at pipeline.sbcc.edu, and go to 'Add, Drop & Register for Classes'. Enter the CRN numbers into the ADD WORKSHEET screen. Be sure to pay for the courses ASAP within Pipeline!
I am a new college student and have new student holds for Assessment, Orientation, and Advising. How do I get those removed?
Email Gwyer Schuyler, Counselor, at schuyler@sbcc.edu to request that your holds be lifted. Include your Student ID # (K00…) and your major in your email. Gwyer will email you back with important advising information and help you with your next steps to enrollment.

How do I get an earlier priority registration date for the next term?
Continuing students are given priority over new or returning students. Priority for continuing students is based on the number of units completed through SBCC.More information is available here. NOTE: If you indicated Personal Enrichment as your education goal on your application, you will not receive an early priority registration date. You can change that by submitting a Student Data Change form available at www.sbcc.edu/forms.


 When does registration start for the next term?
That depends on your registration date. For Continuing students, Summer registration begins in mid April, Fall registration begins in late April, and Spring registration begins in mid November. To find your date, you will log into Pipeline at http://pipeline.sbcc.edu, go to 'Registration', then to 'Check Your Pre-Registration Requirements and Registration Appointment'. For current term dates, to to the Important Dates page here.


What classes are required for HIT or CIM or Coding?
HIT AS Degree*: www.sbcc.edu/apply/files/aa_as/hit.pdf
CIM AS Degree* & Certificate: www.sbcc.edu/apply/files/aa_as/cim.pdf
Medical Coding Specialist Certificate: www.sbcc.edu/apply/files/cert/medcod.pdf

*NOTE: For AS Degrees, students must also complete General Education Requirements. See the FAQ below for the listing of required courses.

For help planning your schedule, review the academic planning handout at: http://www.sbcc.edu/hit/hitcimacademicplanning.php



What are the General Education Requirements for the AS degrees in HIT and CIM? 
Below are the required GE areas, with SBCC's fully online course options in parentheses following each category:
A. Natural Science with lab (BOT 121 or BIOL 120 or BIOL 122+123)
B. Social and Behavioral Science (HIST 100 or 101 or 102 or POLS 101)
C. Humanities (AJ 105 or ART 215 or MUS 115 or 118)
D-1. English Composition (to be taken at a local college) English Composition requirement is met if you have a BA/BS degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
D-2. Communication and Critical Thinking (you can double count your Math course to meet this requirement)
E-1. Intermediate Algebra (to be taken at a local college). Note: Prior to Fall 09, Elementary Algebra was acceptable. Students who were enrolled at SBCC in Spring or Summer 09 and who remain enrolled each Fall and Spring until graduating will not be subject to the new requirement. However, students completing only up to Elementary Algebra must complete all 4 of the following E category requirements, instead of 3 out of 4.
AND Choose 3 out of the following 4 -
E-2. American Institutions (you can double count area B courses listed above - HIST 100 or 101 or 102 or POLS 101)
E-3. PE/Health (PE 163A + HE 101)
E-4. Oral Communication (COMM 122 or 162)
E-5. Multicultural/Gender Studies (you can double count area C courses listed above - AJ 105 or ART 215 or MUS 115 or 118)
AND you also need
F. Information Competency (LIBR 101)

Besides completing the specific department requirements and general education course requirements, are there other graduation requirements for the AS degrees in HIT and CIM?
Yes!
(1) Complete all department requirements with a “C” or better in each course. Candidates for an Associate Degree are also required to complete at least 20% of the department requirements through SBCC. Pass/No Pass grading is not permitted in those courses needed to fulfill department requirements;
(2) Complete at least 18 units of General Education Requirements (Areas A-D of the SBCC General Education pattern);
(3) Complete the SBCC Institutional Requirements (Area E);
(4) Complete the Information Competency Requirement (Area F);
(5) Complete a total of 60 degree-applicable units (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher);
(6) Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all units attempted at SBCC;
(7) Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all college units attempted; and
(8) Candidates for an Associate Degree are required to complete 15 units through SBCC.


 What is the cost?
Each program is made up of a number of courses of different unit values. For example, the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate requires 36 units. California residents are subject to an enrollment fee. Non-California residents are subject to the enrollment fee plus out-of-state tuition. The current costs are listed at www.sbcc.edu/fees. There will be textbook costs of $100 or more per class as well.
For financial aid information, go to: www.sbcc.edu/financialaid/


Are the online courses self-paced?
The courses follow the semester calendar with a start date and end date. Assignments have due dates and exams are available for a certain period of time. Students do not have to be logged into the class at a given time, so you can work at 11 pm or 5 am or whatever works for you as long as you meet the deadlines of the assignments and exams.


 How long will it take for me to complete requirements and graduate?
The length of time it will take you depends on a few factors: how many classes you are comfortable taking each semester; the sequencing of courses; and if you are able to get into the classes you need. Please note that because of the large number of students trying to get into our classes, it can be very challenging to get into required courses in your major in your first semester. This is due to the fact that as a new student to SBCC, your priority registration date will come after all continuing students. Therefore, this can extend the time that it will take to complete your program by one or two semesters. For more information on planning your courses and to design a semester-by-semester schedule, go to  www.sbcc.edu/hit/hitcimacademicplanning.php


 What HIT/CIM classes are offered in the Summer sessions?
Summer sessions are an intensive six week term covering 16 weeks of material. Here is the list of courses that are typically offered in the Summer: BMS 146, CIM 275, HIT 135, HIT 201, HIT 204, HIT 284, HIT 285, MGMT 101, and a range of General Education courses.


 I need a Student Educational Plan (SEP) for Financial Aid. How do I get one?
The SEP form is available at the following website: www.sbcc.edu/hit/hitcimacademicplanning.php We encourage you to review the academic planning presentation slides first on that site. Complete and save your SEP, email it back to Gwyer Schuyler, Counselor, at schuyler@sbcc.edu. Mark it high priority and title it SEP ATTACHED FOR FINANCIAL AID so that she will give it priority in her incoming email. She will then review it, make changes and email it back with her approval. It is then your responsibility to forward it on with your appeal paperwork to  the Financial Aid Office.


 How do I get a prerequisite hold released?
There are two ways to get these holds released: 1) request a full transcript evaluation at www.sbcc.edu/hit/transcriptevaluations.php or 2) have individual courses evaluated by following the procedures at www.sbcc.edu/hit/courseprerequisites.php


 In order to be eligible for the RHIT Credential Exam, must both the HIT Department requirements and General Education requirements be completed?
Yes! You must earn your HIT AS degree in order to be eligible to take the RHIT Credential exam. There is a process to request early RHIT exam testing in your final semester of courses. Please refer to the AHIMA website for more information: www.ahima.org/downloads/pdfs/certification/Early_Testing_Option_FAQ_for_RHIT_and_RHIA.pdf

How do I get my transcripts evaluated?
Please refer to www.sbcc.edu/hit/transcriptevaluations.php for more information and step-by-step instructions.

How can I check the status of a transcript evaluation request and self evaluation?
Current turn-around time is 1 to 2 weeks to get an email back with the determination - at your SBCC pipeline email account. If that time has passed, you may email the counselor who is conducting these evaluations – Linda Uribe, at uribe@sbcc.edu



 How can I check as to whether a certain course that I am interested in taking at another college will be accepted to meet GE requirements?
Email Gwyer Schuyler schuyler@sbcc.edu with the course description.



I have failed some classes and my gpa has fallen below a 2.0. Will I be allowed to continue taking classes?
You may be required to petition for reinstatement and through this process, you may be limited on the number of units you can take. The policies and procedures related to probation and disqualification are available at www.sbcc.edu/probation.



 I think I completed all requirements to graduate or I am in my last semester. How do I apply to graduate?
Go to www.sbcc.edu/hit/graduating.php



 I have previous experience or training in the content of a certain HIT class. Can I take a challenge exam?
Challenge exams for some HIT classes are available for those who qualify. Go to: www.sbcc.edu/hit/challenge_exams.php



 I attended a trade school that was not regionally accredited. Can that coursework apply toward HIT requirements? 
No, we can only apply coursework that was from a regionally accredited institution. You do have the option of taking up to 12 units of challenge exams for HIT coursework. For more information on challenge exams, go to: www.sbcc.edu/hit/challenge_exams.php


I took online courses through AHIMA. Can that coursework apply toward HIT requirements?
No, we can only apply coursework that was from a regionally accredited institution. You do have the option of taking up to 12 units of challenge exams for HIT coursework. For more information on challenge exams, go to: www.sbcc.edu/hit/challenge_exams.php

  I already have a health-related credential (for example, RN, LVN, CPC, CCS, etc.). Will any courses be waived based on that?
Go to: www.sbcc.edu/hit/coursewaivers



I still need to complete the English and Math GE requirements. Can I take those courses through SBCC?
You can only take English through SBCC if you have taken the SBCC assessment test in person at SBCC and placed into the course. For Math, you either need to take the SBCC assessment test in person OR present evidence that you have completed an equivalent prerequisite Math course at another college. You would complete a Prerequisite Challenge Form A in that case (found at: www.sbcc.edu/hit/courseprerequisites). NOTE: Online students typically complete the English and Math GE requirements through their local community college. To have courses pre-approved prior to taking them, email course descriptions to Gwyer Schuyler, Academic Counselor, at schuyler@sbcc.edu.



 I have a lot of computer experience; can I get COMP 101 waived?
The Computer Applications Department does not waive this requirement or have a challenge exam. You must have a comparable course or courses from a regionally accredited college or university OR Microsoft Office Certification.



What is the EPC code for Santa Barbara City College for my student membership with AHIMA?
The EPC Code is 624.



 I'm not sure if I should pursue the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate or the HIT AS degree. How do I decide? 
Many students decide to begin by pursuing the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate. Some then decide to continue onto the HIT AS degree. All but two of the courses for the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate are also required for the HIT AS degree!



 Are there jobs available in this field?
National trends show growth in job availability in the HIM, CIM and Coding fields, however at the regional level, there can be great differences. We encourage students to research the job availability in their local area by contacting the Human Resources departments of local healthcare facilities and speaking to a representative.



Is there a required Internship or Practicum for HIT/CIM/Coding?
Yes, see below:

HIT Practicum - HIT 275
The HIT practicum is a supervised onsite experience performing CAHIIM/AHIMA-required HIT competencies for an affiliated healthcare organization. Content includes confidentiality, privacy and security of health information; retention, retrieval, storage and release of health information; electronic health records and compliance with reimbursement, regulatory and accreditation requirements for health information.

CIM Practicum - CIM 275
The CIM practicum is hands-on experience in all aspects of registry organization and operation. It is supervised clinical experience in performing NCRA-required cancer information management competencies in an actual registry setting.

Coding Practicum - HIT 280
The Coding practicum is in application of clinical classification systems, coding, case mix analysis, and use of coded and abstracted data. Discussion focuses on directed practice activities. Supervised clinical experience focuses on coding patient care records.

For frequently asked questions about the practicum classes, go here.



Where is the practicum held?
Students are assigned to an affiliated health-related agency, near them, for supervised clinical practice where they have the status of learners, not considered agency employees and, are not to replace employed staff. Clinical practice is conducted as a non-paid, laboratory experience. For frequently asked questions about the practicum classes, go here.



Have you reviewed all FAQs but still have questions? Submit your questions here.


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