RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACADEMIC COURSE OUTLINE HITC 290 MEDICAL CODING INTERNSHIP I. Basic Course Information A. Course Number and Title: HITC-290 Medical Coding Internship B. Date of Proposal: April 2006 C. Sponsoring Department: Health Science Education D. Semester Credit Hours: 2 E. Weekly Contact Hours: Clinical: 4 hours F. Prerequisites: HITC-156 (Advanced Coding ICD- 9-CM & CPT-4) G. Laboratory Fees: Yes II. Catalog Description Prerequisites: HITC-156 Advanced Coding ICD-9-CM & CPT-4 Students in this course will gain professional practice experience applying advanced ICD-9-CM and CPT coding skills. Students will code a variety of medical records from hospitals, physicians offices, and/or other health care settings as they complete assigned projects outlined in their Internship manual. The training provided in this course integrates coding and classification systems, health care functions, medical disease and treatment, and health care reimbursement at an advanced level to prepare the student for employment in the health information management industry as a professional coder. III. Statement of Course Need This course fulfills the knowledge cluster content and competency required by the American Health Information Management Association. Earning a credential validates one s competence as a professional in the health information management industry to employers and the public. Students must successfully complete and meet the learning objectives as defined for this course in order to qualify to take the coding certification examination.
IV. Place of Course in College Curriculum A. This course meets a requirement in the proposed Coding Certificate Program. V. Outline of Course Content This Internship is divided into 10 training modules, each representing a different medical specialty of coding and reimbursement (ie. Cardiovascular coding, Endocrine coding, etc.). Each module includes: System Theory: Coding Steps Coding Guidelines Guidelines for Operations and Procedures DRG Assignment Encoder Abstracting Complications and Adverse Effects Pharmacological Indications Practical Applications: Case Studies Records that reflect simple, uncomplicated conditions. Records that reflect complex, complicated conditions VI. Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes Educational Goals Students will function as a health information practitioner in the acute care setting: 1. Use and maintain electronic applications and work processes to support clinical classification and coding. (G.E.1, 3) 2. Apply diagnosis/procedure codes using ICD-9-CM. (G.E.1) 3. Apply procedure codes using CPT/HCPCS. (G.E.1) 4. Ensure accuracy of diagnostic/procedural groupings such as DRG, APC, and so on. (G.E.1) 5. Adhere to current regulations and established guidelines in code assignment. (G.E.1, 5)
6. Validate coding accuracy using clinical information found in the health record. (G.E.1) 7. Use and maintain applications and processes to support other clinical classification and nomenclature systems (such as ICD-10-CM, SNOMED, and so on). (G.E.1, 3) 8. Resolve discrepancies between coded data and supporting documentation. (G.E.1, 3) Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: 1. Assign diagnoses/procedure codes using ICD-9-CM. 2. Validate coding accuracy using clinical information found in health record. 3. Use electronic applications and work processes to support clinical classification and coding. 4. Apply diagnostic and procedural grouping for DRG s. 5. Interpret and apply regulatory coding guidelines (coding clinic, 3M). 6. Abstract all required coding, demographic and clinical data required for reimbursement and other hospital operations. VII. Modes of Teaching and Learning small-group work computer-assisted instruction student collaboration independent study practical assignments VIII. Papers, Examinations, and other Assessment Instruments Performance Assignments Mid Semester Evaluation Final Evaluation IX. Grade Determinants Both the Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Coordinator will carry out the student evaluation. In general, the Clinical Supervisor will evaluate the accuracy and completeness of student performance in reference to the affiliation site, as well as student demonstration of professional behavior and effective communication skills. The Clinical Coordinator will review reports and evaluate the student s performance in terms of appropriate and complete application of theory and
technical skills, effectiveness of written communication and demonstration of professional behavior. Written evaluation of student performance with the student. Students may submit a written statement with the final evaluation if they wish to comment on any portion of the evaluation. In addition to required performance assignments, mid-semester and final practical evaluations, the following set(s) of criteria will be used to assign a final grade for a student s clinical performance evaluation: Communication Skills Ability in written and spoken language Ability to listen actively and participate in communication Knowledge and understanding of nonverbal communication Command of terminology in the field of health information Professional Competency Mastery of technical skills Knowledge of content Responsibility and accountability Problem Solving Ability to initiate, adapt, create steps in working toward solutions Ability to evaluate effectiveness of solutions Ability to assess personal learning Ability to plan for future problem-solving activities Critical Thinking Ability to use inquiry and logical deduction Ability to recognize gaps in knowledge Ability to identify and evaluate sources of information Ability to evaluate information for accuracy, relevancy, credibility Ability to synthesize new information or apply to new situation Ability to transfer knowledge Critical and Competent Use of Technology Apply computers and other technology in the profession Evaluate various technologies appropriate to the profession Show awareness of the impact of technology on society Demonstrate ethical use of intellectual property Performance Assignments Performance Assignments and forms will be evaluated based on observed level of competency in carrying out required objectives.
Mid Semester Evaluation The Clinical Site Supervisor will perform an evaluation of the student at the mid semester point. The evaluation will include a review of the student s performance in reference to the affiliation site, as well as the student s demonstration of professional behavior and effective communication skills. Final Evaluation Both the Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Coordinator will carry out the student evaluation. In general, the Clinical Supervisor will evaluate the accuracy and completeness of student performance in reference to the affiliation site, as well as student demonstration of professional behavior and effective communication skills. The Clinical Coordinator will review the reports and evaluate the student s performance in terms of appropriate and complete application of theory and technical skills, effectiveness of written communication and demonstration of professional behavior. At the conclusion of the clinical experience, the Clinical Supervisor will review the written evaluation of student performance with the student. Students may submit a written statement with the final evaluation if they wish to comment on any portion of the evaluation. X. Texts and Materials REQUIRED: 1. Ingenix ICD-9-CM Professional for Hospitals Vol. 1,2,3-2005 2. Current Procedural Terminology, Professional Edition, American Medical Association, Chicago, IL., 2002 revision. REFERENCES: 1. Mosby s Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary, 5 th edition 2. Coding Clinic, American Hospital Association, Chicago, IL (published quarterly) 3. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Merck Research Laboratories, Whitehouse Station, NJ XI. Resources The RVCC library resources and the resources in the Department of Health Science Learning Lab provide the materials and resources needed for this course.