To meet local employer demand, the college will conduct a Health Information Technician associate degree program starting this fall.  Health information technicians organize and evaluate patient records which include laboratory tests, diagnosis and patient treatment plans for completeness and accuracy, and regularly communicate with physicians and other health care professionals to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information. 

            The WCCC Health Information Technician program will be conducted online and will also include a clinical component.  Graduates will earn an associate in applied science degree and may be employed in entry level positions in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, ambulatory clinics, insurance offices and long-term care facilities. 

            The WCCC program will also be designed to articulate to health information management bachelor’s degree programs at four-year institutions. 

            WCCC President Daniel Obara said the college’s 2008 needs analysis showed a growing demand for health information professionals which stems from a federal regulation requiring widespread adoption of electronic health records by 2014.

            “There are excellent job opportunities for these individuals,” Obara said, adding that the health information field is among the top 22 high priority occupations identified by the state.

            The college’s men’s and women’s cross country team will debut in the fall as approved by the board of trustees.  Each team will field eight runners who will compete in seven events. 

            The start-up cost of $17,700 will include uniforms, salaries for head and assistant coaches, transportation and meal expenses and will be paid for through the student activities fund.

            Obara said that a survey of students indicated their interest in cross country and soccer programs.  The college plans to launch a soccer team in fall 2010, Obara said.

            To serve as dean of the college’s Mathematics and Science Division, the board hired Robert A. Farinelli of Pittsburgh, effective March 1.  Prior to joining the Community College of Allegheny County as the associate dean of academic affairs last year, Farinelli served as the division chair of Mathematics, Physics and Engineering from 2005 to 2009 at the College of Southern Maryland in La Plata, Maryland.  Previously, he was an associate professor of mathematics at CCAC. 

            Farinelli holds a master’s degree in education from Capella University, a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Pennsylvania State University.

In other business, the board took the following action:

·         Approved the renewal of the financial aid/bookstore interface software license and training annual user fee from Trimdata Corporation in the amount of $14,084.

·         Approved the purchase of 450 preadmission tests for nursing from NLN for $15,750.

·         Ratified payment for replacement and repair to the Commissioners Hall hot water system to Whitby Inc. for $16,474.89. As the culinary arts programs, which are located in Commissioners Hall, require hot water for cooking, the work was done immediately to ensure the continuation of classes.

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