Health Information Associate Program

At the end of this program, you will have the knowledge and skills to become a certified Health Information Associate Professional and enter practice. In the program, you will take 6 courses in the following subjects:

• Microsoft Excel
• Keyboarding 1 (or proof of keyboarding ability submitted through the application)
• Medical Terminology
• Professionalism & Communications in Healthcare
• Healthcare Information Management
• Healthcare Technology
• Healthcare System in Canada

The practicum component in a hospital or acute care organization is a mandatory part of the HIA program. Examples of appropriate practicum locations include:

• Hospital registration department
• Hospital emergency registration
• Hospital-run clinic (inpatient, outpatient, surgical)

Practicum Details:

• One practicum, 35 hours in length
• Can be scheduled on a flexible basis
• Hours can be completed over one week and up to a maximum of three consecutive weeks
• Students who work in a hospital or acute care organization may complete practicums at their workplace
• Must have a practicum supervisor in a managerial role
• Practicum is completed at the end of the program, once all courses are completed

Successful applicants will be required to submit vaccination requirements and a police record check prior to starting any practicums. Students will be required to submit their vaccine and criminal record documentation through a reputable and verified external agency that also works with Algonquin College. CHA Learning will not collect these documents directly from students. Please do not acquire these documents until they are requested. Please note that there will be fees associated with this service (approximately $50 plus any costs associated with gathering documentation). CHA Learning will provide information to students accepted into the program about how to proceed with this step at the appropriate time.

This program requires a full online application including:

• $49 fee (or $95 for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition)
• Minimum Canadian grade 12 English or equivalent
• High school diploma or equivalency
• Keyboarding assessment
• Letter of intent
• Reference letter
• After acceptance, students will be required to acquire pre-placement requirements that include vaccination standards and police record check

Students must be proficient in English (reading, writing and speaking).

All applicants who do not have a minimum of Canadian grade 12 English or equivalent must prove English proficiency, at or above the following standards:

• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) within a minimum 60 overall band
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Testing (IBT) with a minimum score in the following sections:

• • Writing: 18
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 18
  • Speaking: 22

• Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) with a score of 7 in all sections
• International English Language Test Systems (IELTS) Academic Testing minimum bands in the following sections:

• • Writing: 7
  • Academic Reading: 7
  • Listening: 7
  • Speaking: 7

Admission into the HIA program requires a complete online application package.

The following documents will be required within the application: HIA Application Checklist

You may consult our full application guide which includes screenshots.

Transcripts

• Transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended
• Must show completion of a Canadian Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or above;
• English course at minimum grade 12 level, or higher
• Academic Upgrading: If you do not meet the English prerequisite listed above, you may be eligible to complete the following equivalent online courses offered through Algonquin College and CHA Learning:
• • Grade 12 English Equivalent

• Note: only education completed within Canada or its equivalent will be considered.

• • If you completed your education outside of Canada, you must verify and validate the education through services such as the World Education Services. Prospective students may also contact their local college or university for more information on credential evaluation services

Keyboarding Assessment

• Complete the 5-minute online keyboarding assessment. Upon completion of the assessment, download the certificate and upload it with your application to the HIA Program.
• The certificate must meet or exceed the following standards. If the assessment does not show keyboarding ability at or above the following levels, students will be required to take Algonquin College’s Keyboarding 1

• • 40 words per minute and,
  • 80 % accuracy

Letter of Intent

A 500-word letter describing:

• Your interest in the field of HIA and this program
• Why you are a good fit for the field
• Why you will be successful in our program
• Anything else we should know that makes you a strong candidate

Reference Letter

• One recent professional or academic letter of recommendation attesting to your ability to succeed in a healthcare profession and in an online, academic program. The letter must be written by someone who has supervised or evaluated you in an professional or academic setting (i.e. employer, teacher, volunteer supervisor, principal, etc.). Personal references will not be accepted.

Applicants with previous academic or employment experience that matches courses in the HIA curriculum may apply for course exemptions, and therefore are encouraged to purchase the PLAR application.

To have your prior learning and/or professional experience considered by CHA Learning, the following must be submitted in addition to the application documents required in the standard application (listed above):

The form below must be filled out and uploaded with your application.

PLAR Application Form
PLAR Application Checklist

PLAR Fee

The PLAR application fee is $95 and is required for review of your previous education and work experience. Application fees must be paid at the time your application is submitted. Application fees are non-refundable, even if exemptions are not granted.

Academic Experience

• Transcript: You must provide a transcript showing successful completion of the courses you are requesting exemptions from, including the final grade.
• Course Descriptions and/or Syllabus: You must provide information pertaining to:

• • The school and program in which the courses were taken
  • Detailed information about all topics and units studied within the course, including weekly outline if available
  • Course evaluation format (exams, assignments, projects etc.)
  • The number of course hours, if applicable

Employment or Professional Experience

• Professional Resume: You must provide a professional resume that includes detailed task descriptions showing you have sufficient experience to meet the learning outcomes
• Letter from Employer: You must provide a letter from your employer confirming the experience outlined in your professional resume

Students must follow CHA Learning’s general technical requirements. In addition to the general technical requirements, there are specific technical requirements for the HIA Program:

• Google Chrome browser
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Speakers

Students will require a subscription to EHR Go, an EHR simulator that will be used throughout the program to complete activities and assignments. This subscription is mandatory but not required for all courses. CHA Learning will provide instructions about when and how to subscribe.

Learners will begin the program by taking the Medical Terminology and Microsoft Excel courses. These courses can be enrolled in immediately upon admission into the HIA Program. Once these courses are completed, learners may move into the term courses, available 4 times per year and approximately 12 weeks in length. See below for term and enrolment dates for the term courses.

2025 Terms and Deadlines

Winter Term, 2025
January 6, 2025 – March 28, 2025

Register by December 27, 2024

Textbooks ordered by December 20, 2024

Spring Term, 2025

April 7, 2025 – June 27, 2025

Register by March 31, 2025

Textbooks ordered by March 24, 2025

Summer Term, 2025

July 7, 2025 – September 26, 2025

Register by June 30, 2025

Textbooks ordered by June 23, 2025

Fall Term, 2025

October 1, 2025 – December 19, 2025

Register by September 22, 2025

Textbooks ordered by September 15, 2025