# Coding Specialist (Certificate of Achievement)

San Diego Mesa College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Health Information Technology

Source: https://sdccd.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/17540/18643/18644/17541/17575

### Summary

The Health Information Technology program offers various avenues for students interested in a career in the health information field. The program is designed to prepare students to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, behavioral health facilities, government health agencies, long-term care facilities, and various health information industry vendors.

**Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Coding Specialist Program will be able to:**

1.  Apply all required health care documentation policies and procedures that ensure the highest quality of healthcare delivery.
2.  Utilize the evolving information technology in the completion of health information management processes.
3.  Ensure compliance with all payment systems, such as Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, and other sources of reimbursement.
4.  Produce data required for healthcare quality improvement, utilization management, risk management and other related activities.
5.  Protect the privacy, confidentiality, and security of health information as well as promote legal and ethical standards of practice for health information professionals.

### Certification

Students who earn the Coding Specialist Certificate of Achievement are eligible to sit for the following American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certifications: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), the Certified Coding Specialist - Physician-based (CCS-P), and the Certified Coding Associate (CCA).

### Admission Criteria

Eligibility for enrollment is determined by a special admission procedure. Interested persons should review program information on the website.

A grade of "C" or better must be maintained in all courses to continue in this restricted program. Course repetition in this program is not permitted unless student is granted readmission. This program is governed by the Allied Health Department Policies and Procedures.

Students must complete HEIT 214 and 215 within five years in order to receive the Health Information Technology Associate of Science degree.

### Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR:** | | 26-27 |
| MEDA 55 | Fundamentals Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| or BIOL 160 | Elements of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| MEDA 110 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MEDA 115 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| HEIT 110 | Introduction to Health Information | 4 |
| HEIT 130 | Basic Pharmacology | 1 |
| HEIT 214 | ICD Coding I | 3 |
| HEIT 215 | ICD Coding II | 3 |
| HEIT 155 | Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding | 3 |
| HEIT 225 | Introduction to Revenue Cycle | 3 |