Healthcare Access Associate Certificate of Technical Studies
The Healthcare Access Associate serves as a valuable “front line” member of the health information team responsible for performing accurate data capture in an electronic health record environment to facilitate the patient scheduling, admission, and registration process while ensuring both privacy and confidentiality of health information.
If your interests are directed at a healthcare profession that instills customer service excellence, interactive communication skills in the healthcare environment, and computer application skills then the Healthcare Access Associate is an excellent career choice.
The Healthcare Access Associate curriculum will focus on building competencies and skill sets inclusive of medical terminology, medical reimbursement, and medical insurance; customer service relations, basic computer and software applications and electronic health record applications; scheduling, admissions and registration applications, and pertinent health record forms associated with this process.
The Healthcare Access Associate Certificate Program at Southern University at Shreveport prepares students with the knowledge base and technical skills to work in a variety of healthcare settings including acute care hospitals, ambulatory care, office-based physician practices, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and behavioral healthcare as well as other healthcare settings.
The curriculum combines the classroom setting, web-enhanced coursework, work in a simulated laboratory, and hands-on experience in a hospital/clinical setting where students will experience first-hand the healthcare access experience. A Certificate of Technical Studies as a Healthcare Access Associate is awarded upon successful completion of all academic and clinical experiences.
Program Admission Requirements
- Meet the general admissions criteria of the University.
- Complete an application for admission along with an application fee made payable to the Health Information Technology Program.
- Provide official transcripts (may also be e-scripted) from other colleges or universities attended.
- Achieve an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in previous college course work and currently be in good academic standing without academic probation or suspension.
- Complete all required general education courses and earn a “C” or better in each course.
- Complete a criminal background check through a nationwide investigative research company and a drug screen as mandated by the program’s clinical affiliates.
Students who apply for admission to clinical programs within the Division of Allied Health Sciences and Nursing must adhere to the most current curriculum implemented at the time of his/her official acceptance into the respective clinical program.
Program Progression Requirements
- Pre-advise with a HIT/Medical Coding Specialist/Healthcare Access Associate Program instructor/advisor each semester and update the degree plan.
- Maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
- Take professional courses in sequence and earn a grade of “C” or better in each required course in both the professional and nonprofessional components of the Healthcare Access Associate curriculum.
- Achieve a satisfactory evaluation in the professional practice experience resulting in a “C” or better.
- Provide a negative criminal background check and a negative drug screen prior to clinical placement.
Additional Program Requirement
Successful completion of the Healthcare Access Associate Exam Review course in the last semester of program coursework.
Probation
A student may be placed on probation when failing to comply with the academic and professional conduct standards of the HIT/Medical Coding Certificate/Healthcare Access Associate Program. A violation has occurred when:
- A lack of professional compatibility is demonstrated when the standards described in the National Association of Healthcare Access Management Code of Ethics are not met.
- Earning a first grade of “D”, “F”, or “W” in any required course in the professional component.
- There is a criminal arrest or charge in any state or foreign country.
Dismissal
A student found guilty by the Southern University Disciplinary Committee of any of the following will be dismissed from the HIT/Medical Coding Specialist/Healthcare Access Associate Program and may be subject to University sanctions:
- Academic cheating
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized possession of examinations
- Falsification of Southern University documents
- Illegal possession, sale, use, or distribution of drugs
- Illegal possession of weapons
- Theft
- Any other activity incompatible with professional behavior as delineated in the National Association of Healthcare Access Management Code of Ethics or Southern University.
- Earning one (1) grade of “W”, “D”, or “F” in required professional courses.
- Withdrawing from a professional course after having previously withdrawn from two other professional courses.
- Students are eligible to apply to the program in the next Spring semester in which applications are accepted. Students will be considered with all other applicants and must meet eligibility criteria. Students may ONLY re-apply to the HCAA clinical program within a two (2) year period from his/her original acceptance date.
- Continuing to demonstrate a lack of professional compatibility while on probation.
- Failing to declare criminal charges, arrests or convictions that occur while matriculating in the program.
Exceptions
Students have the right to request an exception to any of the above policies. Letters of Exception are to be submitted to the Program Director. After consideration, the Program Director will submit her recommendations to the Dean of Allied Health Sciences and Nursing for a final decision.
Grading Scale
| 93 - 100 |
A |
| 85 - 92 |
B |
| 77 - 84 |
C |
| 69 - 76 |
D |
| 68 and below |
F |
Fall Semester
| HIMT-110S | Intro Healthcare Comp Apps | 3 |
ALLH-210S
| | 3 |
| BUST-250S | Customer Service | 3 |
| HCAA-105S | Basic Healthcare Access Proced | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Spring Semester
| BUST-261S | Bus Comm & Professional Dev | 3 |
SCOM-215S
| | 3 |
| HCAA-200S | Advanced Healthcare Acces Proc | 3 |
| HCAA-210S | Healthcare Access Exam & Inter | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Total Credit Hours: 23
Advisors: Kim Newlen; LaChandra Wells; LaTanya Brittentine