The Health Information Management program is officially recognized by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). The program is designed for those presently working in a healthcare organization and who wish to pursue a career in the area of health information management. Health information management professionals can occupy various positions in the areas of collection, organization and reporting of health information, release of information, privacy or management. As such they are responsible for the management of health information systems consistent with the clinical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements of the health care delivery system.
The two-year program concentrates on the management of the creation, maintenance, completeness, security, privacy and accuracy of health records and health information. The new age of electronic health information is taught to students from needs assessment, to system implementation. Year one focuses primarily on learning of medical terminology, anatomical structures and physiological processes, pathophysiology, the organization, classification and dissemination of data. Health information management theory, mathematical principles and statistics are reviewed in year one. Year two focuses on understanding health care delivery on a national and jurisdictional level, quality and risk management, legal aspects, CHIMA's Code of Ethics and domains of practice, utilization, research, biostatistics and epidemiology, health informatics, the electronic health record, accreditation and management principles.
Graduates of the two-year program are eligible to write the national certification examination of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Those wishing to write the certification exam must hold a student membership in the Association prior to the exam.
Student Testimonial
"I am 44 and just graduated from the CHA 2 year HIM program. I never thought I would go back to school at my age but am happy to report that I am also now a CHIM, having passed the National exam through CHIMA on my first try.."
Heidi Devine, CHIM
HIM Graduate 2010
Internet and E-mail Access
Students must have internet and e-mail access (either at home or at work) for communication with CHA Learning and their education consultants.
Course Outline
For the course outlines, click here: Year 1, Year 2.
Course Components
Year One
Year One has four compulsory components: eight home study units, two examinations, three 35-hour practical experience sessions and a 75-hour field placement.
The study units include the following topics:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Health Information Management Theory
- The Canadian Health Information Management Association
- Data Collection and Grouping
- Introduction to Statistics and Arithmetic Review
Year Two
Year Two has four compulsory components: eight home study units, two examinations, three 35-hour practical experience sessions and a 75-hour field placement.
The study units include the following topics:
- Quality Management and Accreditation
- Privacy Confidentiality & Security aspects
- Ethics and Practice
- Health Information Analysis & Business Intelligence
- Healthcare Statistics
- Epidemiology, Research Design & Methodology
- Biostatistics
- Health informatics
- Electronic Health Record
- Management principles and Functions
Practical Experience
Each year of the two-year program students must undertake three practical experience sessions. Each session lasts 35 hours during which students perform health information management procedures. Practical experience components reinforce learning through hands-on experience and provide an opportunity to develop and improve students' skills concurrently with the educational component. Students must arrange to complete their sessions in a health information management department (in their own organization or one nearby) under the supervision of a Health Information Management professional. The Practical Experience supervisor must occupy a lead or managerial role in the department and actively be involved with overseeing the area where the student will be completing the placement activities. It is preferred that the placement supervisor be CHIMA certified.
Students must make arrangements for their Practical Experience sessions before submitting their application to the program.
CHA Learning does not provide or arrange Workplace Safety and Insurance / Workers’ Compensation coverage. CHA strongly encourages students to purchase personal disability and critical injury insurance from their private home or renter insurance provider.
Field Placement
Each year of the two-year program students must undertake a two-week Field Placement during the months of June or July. The Field Placement lasts 75 hours during which students perform health informaton management procedures. The Field Placement allows the student to demonstrate knowledge and skills obtained in a setting different from their regular place of employment. The students are able to acquaint themselves with new peers in the field and allow for exchange of ideas and experiences specific to health information managament. The placement can be completed in various HIM-related areas such as Health Records, Privacy, Informtion Technology, Decision Support, Clinical Trials, Ministries of Health, and all types of health care facilities from acute to community care. The field placement must be arranged by the student in consultation with the student’s employer. The Field Placement supervisor must occupy a lead or managerial role in the department and actively be involved with overseeing the area where the student will be completing the placement activities. It is preferred that the placement supervisor be CHIMA certified.
Students must make arrangements for their Field Placement during the academic year; they do not need to do so before submitting their application for the program. Field Placement arrangements should be made before January 1st.
CHA Learning does not provide or arrange Workplace Safety and Insurance / Workers’ Compensation coverage. CHA strongly encourages students to purchase personal disability and critical injury insurance from their private home or renter insurance provider.
Certificate
Graduates receive a certificate in Health Information Management from the Canadian Healthcare Association.
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