Health Information Technology Degree New Student Packet

 

HIT Program Chair/Instructor:

 Rachel Weekly, MSTM, RHIT

Office phone: 903-693-1116

Email: rweekly@panola.edu

Office number: HNS 2104

Office fax: 903-694-4010

 

HIT Program Instructor

Kimberly Bishop

Office Phone: 903-693-1126

Email: kbishop@panola.edu

Office number: HNS 2302

Office fax: 903-694-4010

  

HIT Program Health Science Specialist:

A'Breisha Ware

Office phone: 903-694-4030

Email: abreisha.ware@panola.edu

Office number: HNS 2100

Office fax: 903-694-4010

 

 

 

Please save this contact information for all of your Health Information  Program questions.

I have read the Health Information Technologies Program Student Handbook.  I understand it is my responsibility to be familiar with the policies in this handbook, the Panola College Catalog, and the online student handbook, The Pathfinder.  

I will comply with the current HIT Program Student Handbook as found on the Panola College webpage, as well as the Panola College Catalog and the Panola College Student Handbook.

 

1) I understand that due to potential occupational exposure to blood and potentially infectious materials, as well as other infectious diseases at the clinical site, I may be at risk of exposure.

2) I understand that it is my responsibility to obtain all required immunizations prior to the given due date and that I cannot leave class or clinical to obtain these tests.

3) I understand that if I have not obtained and provided proof of all required immunizations by the given due date, I can not go to clinical site(s), and I will be subject to 1 demerit the day after the due date. Furthermore, I will receive an additional demerit for each month after the due date immunizations are not completed. I understand I will be dismissed from the program if I earn 3 demerits in a semester.

4) I understand that the clinical site may require additional immunizations.

5) I understand that if I am unable to take the TB skin test, I must provide proof from my primary physician that I do not have TB or any communicable disease.

I give Panola College permission to conduct a background search from the following website under the requirements set forth by the Health and Safety Code Chapter 250.006 before registering for the Health Information Technology Program.

 

Public Data.com-Criminal History Background

If I am married or have been married and divorced, I also understand and give Panola College permission to complete a Background Check on my maiden name and that of my married name. The findings of these three searches ultimately determine my admission to the Health Information Technology Program, and those findings will be final.

I recognize that the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs, or substances can create an unsafe learning and clinical working environment for others and myself.  When requested, I agree to provide blood, urine, and/or breath samples to the drug testing laboratory designated by Panola College. 

I permit the testing laboratory to release the drug screening test results to designated Panola College authorities.

I permit prescription medications to be verified with the prescribing primary health care provider by Panola College Administrative authorities.

 I understand that I will follow the required deadlines provided by the HIT program for when the drug screen will be conducted at the specific testing laboratory required.

When students make poor choices, especially those violating the policies described in the HIT Student Handbook, the Chair and instructor will meet with the student individually to provide feedback and help them learn from the situation. Each case will require a completed Disciplinary Action and Counseling Demerit Form. The student’s signature does not necessarily indicate the student agrees with the statements made on the form(s); it only acknowledges the issues stated on the form were discussed, and the student had an opportunity to review the form(s) and make comments. Poor choices involving policy violations in the HIT Student Handbook and/or Panola College Student Handbook will result in the student earning a breach or a demerit. Two violations convert to a demerit, even if unrelated. If a student accumulates a total of 3 demerits throughout the program, they will be dismissed.  

I have been informed of HIPAA, and I understand that information concerning a patient's condition may never be discussed either inside or outside the facility; the exception is information given to the instructor related to the patient's condition and my program skills and duties. Furthermore, patient information may never be released to anyone without proper authorization from the appropriate facility administration.

I understand that information concerning any facility, business, and their employees is confidential and will not be discussed inside or outside the facility.

I understand that I will be held accountable for the confidentiality of the information to which I will have access.

I further understand that the release of confidential information about a patient, employee, or facility is not only a severe HIPAA violation, it is a serious breach of ethics and confidentiality, and it may also involve legal proceedings and loss of privileges. I will receive an immediate grade of "F" in the HIT program classes I am currently enrolled in and will not be allowed to proceed in the HIT program.