Health Information Technology (HIT)

Madison College has received a grant of $759,822 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over a two-year period to enable training of healthcare information technology (HIT) workers. The college is one of the 17 Midwest colleges spanning 10 states that are sharing in a grant headed by Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio. This consortium of colleges will be training over 5,400 individuals for which Madison College has the opportunity to train 300.

The federal HITECH ACT provides incentives to health care providers for development of an exchangeable electronic medical record for each U.S. citizen by 2014. To accomplish this goal, HHS recognizes the need for training of healthcare technology professionals to help healthcare facilities and medical practices. It will also provide the ability for healthcare providers to implement electronic medical record systems and support the interconnection of these systems.

Through leading-edge curriculum and a program consisting of online training and distance learning, students will be able to complete training in six months or less earning a specific certificate in either the role of “Implementation Support Specialist” or “Technology/Software Support Staff”. 

Studies indicate that as many as 50,000 additional HIT professionals may be needed over the next five years. Salary ranges for these roles are approximately $45,000 to $60,000 dependent upon experience and qualifications.

Madison College has reached its initial goal of training 300 students through the funding of the grant. Fully funded grant courses are no longer available at this time. Additional funding has been requested to continue the HIT training program at no cost. Madison College is also exploring other alternatives for continuation of the program, but these alternatives would be on a tuition fee basis. Applications are still welcome, while the possible additional funding is being explored. Fill out the Health Information Technology Scholarship Application Form reserving a place on the list for potential classes in becoming a HIT professional in the role of Implementation Support Specialist or Technology/Software Support Staff.

To be eligible for these short term programs, an individual will need to have experience in either Information Technology or Healthcare.

Please review the Admission Criteria document.

All applications must be submitted electronically using the Health Information Technology Scholarship Application Form.

For more information on the new Health Information Technology training program, contact James Bahensky at  jbahensky[at] matcmadison [dot] edu.