Rend Lake College’s Health Information Technology program received accreditation last month from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education and is enrolling now for the Spring 2016 semester.  The two-year Associate of Applied Science program is designed to provide students with administrative and technical skills necessary to maintain components of health record systems.  The HIT professional is competent in health data management, information policies, and information systems.  A professional practice experience at a local health care facility is offered during the final semester of the program to give students hands-on practice working directly with HIT specialists.  CAHIIM accredited HIT program graduates can also obtain the Registered Health Information Technician professional credential from the American Health Information Management Association.  While traditionally employed at hospitals, HIT professionals are also starting to work in physicians’ group practices, home health care, hospices, long-term care facilities, information technology settings, coding, and HIT consulting companies.  RLC collaborates with area health care facilities on a continuing basis to assist with training programs and employment opportunities.  For more information about the program, contact the Allied Health Division at 618-437-5321, extension 1251.