Health Information Associate Program
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Apply for the HIA Program Today!
Apply today for Canada’s first fully online Health Information Associate (HIA) Program, specifically designed for acute care roles in hospital settings. Gain the skills and knowledge needed for professional clerical positions like Registration Clerk, Emergency Department Clerk, Health Information Clerk, and more!
Course Overview
The demand for Health Information-Certified Associates (HICA) is on the rise, playing a crucial role in ensuring the availability of high-quality health information and data that drives the efficiency and effectiveness of the Canadian healthcare system.
Join CHA Learning’s innovative Health Information Associate (HIA) Program, uniquely tailored for the hospital sector. Unlike traditional medical office assistant programs that focus on training individuals for community and primary care (doctor’s offices), this program addresses the specific needs of the hospital sector. As the first and only online learning provider in Canada to offer training specifically for this profession within hospitals, CHA Learning has developed this course in close consultation with healthcare employers. It is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge for success in roles such as registration clerk, health records clerk, and unit clerk positions within hospitals.
CHA Learning, a national leader in online healthcare education for nearly 75 years, has guided tens of thousands of professionals on their career paths. Whether you’re beginning your journey in healthcare or transitioning into an administrative role, the HIA program provides the foundation you need to excel in your healthcare career.
Why Choose the Health Information Associate Program?
- Focused on Acute Care: Train specifically for acute care (hospital) roles, ensuring you meet the exact needs of this sector.
- Interactive eLearning: Engage with reality-based scenarios, electronic health record simulations, and meaningful content that prepares you for real-world challenges.
- Flexible Learning: Study at your own pace in a fully online, asynchronous environment. Choose to take one course at a time or up to four courses to fast-track your career.
- Expert Support: Benefit from the guidance of experienced faculty who are leaders in the health information field.
- Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills and build your network through an applied practicum.
- In-Demand Career Path: Start a rewarding career in healthcare with the potential for professional certification.
Accreditation & Certification
This program will be undergoing accreditation in the coming months by the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM) and for recognition by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Graduates would then be eligible to write the National Certification Examination to become Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) professionals.
Career Opportunities
HIA professionals are qualified for roles such as:
- Registration Clerk
- Emergency Department Clerk
- Outpatient/Surgical Clinic Clerk
- Health Information Clerk
- Inpatient Unit Clerk (additional courses may be required depending on employer)
Advance Your Career
HIA graduates can easily transition into our Health Information Management (HIM) Program with a shorter application and may be eligible for course exemptions. This pathway allows you to further specialize in areas like clinical coding. For more details, please contact us.
Important Note: The HIA Program does not prepare you for roles as a medical/clinical coder. If your goal is to become a clinical coder, please explore our Health Information Management (HIM) Program
- Complete in as few as 5 months* or take up to 2 years
- Each course requires approximately 25 hours of study that must be completed within 3 months. Courses can be taken concurrently (up to 4 at once)
- Practicum component requires 35 hours of on-site experience
* Dependent upon when learner begins studies and how quickly Medical Terminology and Microsoft Excel courses are completed.
Total Estimated Fees:
- $600 CAD per core course
- $195 Microsoft Excel Course
- $156.40 Keyboarding 1 Course*
- $100 Practicum Fee
- Technology fee (approximately $50 per year)
- Required textbooks (cost TBD)
- Practicum clearance process (~$50 plus any costs associated with gathering documentation)
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) System Subscription (~$120 USD per year)
- CHIMA Student Membership (~$40 per year)
- International fees apply for those not living in Canada
* For those who do not meet minimum keyboarding proficiency requirements.
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:
- 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
Health Information Associate Quick FAQ
- What will I achieve at the completion of this program?
At the end of this program, you will receive a certificate from CHA Learning.
- Is there a maximum study duration?
Yes, learners in the HIA program must complete their studies in no more than 2 years (24 months), including breaks. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they do not exceed the maximum duration. Students who go beyond the maximum duration will have to apply for special consideration and may need to repeat courses completed previously.
- Is there a minimum course load? Is there a maximum course load?
- Learners in the HIA Program must carry a minimum course load of 1 course per term.
- Learners in the HIA Program can carry a maximum of 4 courses per term.
- Do you allow program postponements?
There is no formal postponement required, students in the HIA Program may take a break when desired by taking a term off anytime, providing they do not exceed the maximum program duration of 2 years.
- Do you allow course extensions?
- Extensions in term courses are not possible as they have specific end dates. A learner who does not complete/pass a course on time will need to repeat it.
- Program extensions beyond the 2 year maximum duration will only be possible under extenuating circumstances with Program Director approval.
- What happens if I withdraw from a course?
- Learners may withdraw from enrolment in a course and receive a full refund provided cancellation is received in writing, within ten (10) business days of tuition payment and only if course materials have not been accessed.
- If course materials have been accessed but withdrawal occurs within 10 days of course start, a full credit will be granted and no refund will apply.
- Withdrawal greater than 10 days after the course start is not eligible for any credit or refund of fees.
- Program withdrawals may happen anytime, course withdrawal policies will apply. Learners are asked to notify CHA Learning in writing if they intend to withdraw from the program. Those who withdraw will be required to reapply if they wish to return at a later date.
- Do I need to pay for the entire program at the time of enrolment?
No, tuition fees are paid per course, students are required to pay for the courses they plan to register for in a given term.
- What career/workplace opportunities are available to me after graduation?
HIA professionals are qualified for roles such as: Registration Clerk, Emergency Department Clerk, Outpatient/Surgical Clinic Clerk, Health Information Clerk, Inpatient Unit Clerk (additional courses may be required depending on employer).
- Can I take the HIM Program upon completion?
Yes, graduates of our HIA Program can easily transition into our HIM Program without a formal application and may receive course exemptions. For more details, please contact us.
Apply for the HIA Program Today!
Apply today for Canada’s first and most affordable fully online Health Information Associate (HIA) Program. Gain the skills and knowledge to excel in acute care roles in hospital settings and start making a difference in healthcare today!
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Why Choose CHA Learning
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