Health Information ManagementHealth Information Management Program
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Health Information Management is a growing profession, positively impacting the availability of high quality health data and information to support the effectiveness of the Canadian health system.
Join the largest, most well-known and affordable HIM Program in Canada – now even more learner-centred and flexible. With 70 years of history, CHA Learning has been trusted by tens of thousands of learners.
Accredited by the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM) and recognized by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA), the Health Information Management (HIM) program prepares students for roles in health information collection, clinical coding, analysis and reporting, release of information, privacy, electronic records development and management, among others. Graduates of the program are eligible to write the Canadian College of Health Information Management’s National Certification Examination to become fully certified HIM professionals.
This program has a flexible online learning model, and no longer runs on an academic schedule. Courses are available three times per year and enrolment into the program is available any time.
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Why Take This Program?
- The most recognized and largest program in Canada with nearly 70 years of history
- Learner-centred pathways – finish in as little as 16 months* or take up to 4 years
- Continue working while you study on your schedule and according to your budget
- Take breaks when it suits you
- Hands-on experience and networking through practicums
- Start an in-demand career and become professionally certified
- Complete in as few as 16 months* or take up to 4 years maximum
- Take 2-5 courses per term, plus practicums – based on your schedule
- Each courses requires 5-10 hours of study per week (course and learner dependent)
- Begin the biomedical sciences any time after acceptance (complete in 8 months or less)
- Core curriculum courses offered year-round (3 terms/year)
- Practicums require 1 or 2 weeks of on-site experience (online alternatives available under some circumstances)
- Learners may take breaks during any term, as long as they complete the program in 4 years or less
*Dependent upon when learner begins studies and how quickly biomedical sciences are completed.
- Flexible bundles – pay for what you take – bundles range from $600-1800
- Practicums carry a $100 fee each
- Approximate book cost for the program is $1200-1400 – books can be purchased as needed for courses
- Technology fees may apply (approximately $100 per year)
- Additional fees may apply including practicum clearance process and alternative practicum fees
- An annual CHIMA student membership is required (~$40)
Biomedical Science Course Fees
| Course Load | Bundle Discount | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | $695 |
| 2 | 10% Off | $1,251 |
| 3 | 15% Off | $1,772 |
Core Curriculum Course Fees
| Course Load | Tuition Per Course before Discount | Bundle Discount | Bundle Savings | Total Term Cost | International Fee (+15%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 course | $600 | N/A | N/A | $600 | $690 |
| 2 courses | $1,200 | 10% | $120 | $1,080 | $1,242 |
| 3 courses | $1,800 | 20% | $360 | $1,440 | $1,656 |
| 4 courses | $2,400 | 30% | $720 | $1,680 | $1,932 |
| 5 courses | $3,000 | 40% | $1,200 | $1,800 | $2,070 |
Pathway examples and estimated costs are shown below (2023 pricing)
| Description | Course Load Per Term | Approx. Hours per Week | Total Duration of Study | Cost per Learning Block (approximate) | Total Program Cost (Estimated based on 2022 tuition) | Pathway Diagram (Click to view) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerated Path with 4-month Biomedical completion | 5-6 | 30-40 | 16 months | $2100-$2360 | $8,432 | 16 Month Path |
| Accelerated Path with 4-month biomedical completion | 4 | 25-35 | 20 months | ~$1,880 | $9,392 | 20 Month Path |
| 2-year Path | 4 | 25-35 | 24 months | ~$1,880 | $9,392 | 24 Month Path |
| Extended 2-Year Path | 3 | 20-25 | 28 months | ~$1,640 | $10,112 | 28 Month Path |
| Accelerated 3-Year Path | 2-3 | 15-25 | 32 months | $1,180-$1,640 | $10,592 | 32 Month Path |
| 3-Year Path | 2-3 | 15-20 | 36 months | $1,180 - $1,640 | $10,592 | 36 Month Path |
| 3-Year Path with Practicum Block | 2 | 15-20 | 40 months | ~$1,180 | $11,212 | 40 Month Path |
| 4 Year Path with Breaks OR Practicum Blocks | 2 | 15-20 | 48 months | ~$1,180 | $11,212 | 48 Month Path |
At the end of this program, you will have the knowledge and skills to become a certified Health Information Management Professional and enter practice. In the program, you’ll take 20 courses in the following subjects:
- Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology & Medical Terminology)
- Microsoft Excel
- Introduction to Health Information Management
- Healthcare in Canada
- Records & Data Management
- Health Law
- Coding 1, 2 and 3
- Data Analysis Introduction & Advanced
- Epidemiology
- Quality Management
- Research Methods
- Healthcare Statistics
- Health Informatics
- Health & HIM Services Management
- Health Leadership
The practicum component is a mandatory part of the HIM program.
- Total of 10 weeks (350 practicum hours in total)
- Completed in blocks of 35 or 70 hours (1- or 2-week practicums)
- Can be scheduled on a flexible basis – no set dates
- Students who work in a health organization may complete practicums at their workplace
- Must be supervised by a CHIMA certified professional
- Practicums may begin after the biomedical sciences are completed. Most practicums have course prerequisites.
- Alberta residents no longer need to apply separately. Practicum requests will be made after program enrolment and information will be provided by CHA Learning.
Pre-Practicum Screening
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:
- $95 fee (or $195 for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition)
- Minimum Canadian grade 12 math/statistics and English or equivalent
- Healthcare or other professional experience
- Professional or academic References
- After acceptance, students will be required to acquire pre-placement requirements that include vaccination standards and criminal record check
Important: After acceptance, new learners MUST begin by taking the three biomedical science courses (Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology & Medical Terminology) at the same time, in up to 8 months. These courses are self-paced and can be enrolled in immediately upon admission into the program. Once the biomedical sciences are completed, students can enrol in any courses, available three times per year, as long as they have met prerequisites.
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 70 overall band
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Testing (IBT) with a minimum score in the following sections:
- Writing: 24
- Reading: 20
- Listening: 20
- Speaking: 25
- Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) with a score of 8 in all sections
- International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) Academic Testing minimum bands in the following sections:
- Writing: 7
- Academic Reading: 7
- Listening: 6
- Speaking: 6
Admission into the HIM program requires a complete online application package.
The following documents will be required within the application: HIM Application Checklist
You may consult our full application guide which includes screenshots.
Transcripts
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- Transcripts from all institutions attended that show evidence of admission requirements. If post-secondary transcripts show all required academic prerequisites, the secondary transcript is not required.
- Must show completion of, at minimum:
-
- An English course at minimum grade 12 level; and
- A math OR statistics course at the minimum grade 12 level.
-
-
- Academic Upgrading: If you do not meet the academic prerequisites 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.
Grade 12 science is no longer required for admission to the program as the biomedical sciences will be taken prior to the core curriculum. However, a grade 12 Biology or higher is recommended.
Letter of Intent
A 500-word letter describing:
- your interest in the field of HIM 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.
Professional resume
- Demonstrating evidence of healthcare work experience (whether present-day or previous; may be unpaid experience)
- Healthcare experience is strongly preferred. Other professional experience will be considered only if the applicant has post-secondary training and sufficient experience deemed to be transferrable. In this case, the applicant must use the PLAR application.
Recommendation letters (2)
- Two recent professional or academic letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to succeed in a healthcare profession, the field of HIM, and in an online academic program. These letters must be written by someone who has supervised or evaluated you in a professional or academic setting. Personal references will not be accepted.
Applicants with previous academic experience that matches courses in the HIM curriculum may apply for course exemptions.
Applicants who do not meet the healthcare experience requirements may have their post-secondary education and other professional experience considered.
CHA Learning will consider work experience within the field of HIM for exemptions from practicums. In order to be considered, the applicant must have sufficient experience to show learning outcomes have been met. Evidence must include a professional resume with detailed task descriptions and a letter from an employer, confirming the experience.
To have your prior learning and/or professional experience considered by CHA Learning, the following must be submitted in addition to the application documents listed above:
There is a $100 PLAR fee (in addition to the $95 application fee) required for review of your previous education and work experience. Both fees must be paid at the time your application is submitted. PLAR fees are non-refundable, even if exemptions are not granted.
The form below must be filled out and uploaded with your application.
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
Provide information pertaining to:
- Must show 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
Students must follow CHA Learning’s general technical requirements. In addition, there are specific technical requirements for the HIM Program.
- Google Chrome Browser for exams
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Speakers
- Students will receive a free download of the ICD-10-CA/CCI Folio software for coding courses. This software is mandatory and will be provided for free to those with active CHIMA student memberships only. This software has specific technical requirements and does not operate on Apple computers without software to convert to a Windows operating system. Any additional software or technical requirements to run the software will be at the student’s expense.
Online Exam Proctoring
As of May 2022, remote exam proctoring will be mandatory for all students in the HIM program. We will no longer allow in-person proctoring. Learners must have a webcam, speakers and microphone in order to write exams. Fees apply.
This new model allows learners to complete courses on a flexible basis up to 3 learning blocks per year.
Learners must begin by taking the three biomedical sciences courses (medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology) at the same time (self-paced, up to 8 months). Learners can enrol in the biomedical science courses immediately upon admission into the program. Once the biomedical sciences are completed, learners may move into other courses in the core curriculum. See below for term and enrolment dates for the core curriculum.
Learners in the biomedical sciences will be provided up to 8 months to complete them but may complete them more quickly. The minimum time recommended is 4 months. Each course is approximately 150-200 hours of study.
2023 Terms and Deadlines
Fall Term, 2023
September 5, 2023 – December 22, 2023
Register by: August 29th
Textbooks ordered by: August 21st
Winter Term, 2024
Jan 2, 2024 – April 19, 2024
Register by December 29, 2023
Textbooks ordered by December 11, 2023
Spring Term, 2024
April 29, 2024 – Aug 16, 2024
Register by April 22, 2024
Textbooks ordered by April 15, 2024
Fall Term, 2024
Aug 26, 2024 – Dec 13, 2024
Register by August 19, 2024
Textbooks ordered by August 12, 2024
Health Information Management 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 and are eligible to write the CCHIM National Certification Exam to become a fully certified HIM professional.
- Is there a maximum study duration?
Yes. Learners in the HIM program must complete their studies in no more than 4 years (48 months) including breaks. It is the responsibility of students 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 earlier.
- Is there a minimum course load?
Learners in the HIM program must carry a minimum course load of 2 per term, except under pre-approved circumstances.
- Is there a maximum course load?
Learners in the HIM program can carry a maximum of 5 courses per term, plus practicums.
- Do you allow program postponements?
Postponements are no longer required. Students can take a break when desired by taking a term off anytime, providing they do not exceed the maximum program duration of 4 years.
- Do you allow course extensions?
Extensions in single courses is not possible as they have end dates. A learner who does not complete/pass the course on time will need to repeat it.
Program extensions beyond the 4 year maximum duration will only be possible under extenuating circumstances with Director approval.
- What happens if I withdraw from a course?
Registrants may withdraw 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 course start is not eligible for any credit or refund of fees.
Program Withdrawals may happen anytime, and course withdrawal policies 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 you have pathways to degree programs for graduates?
Graduates of the HIM Program are eligible for advanced standing in Toronto Metropolitan University’s Bachelor of Health Administration Program, Health Information Management stream.
Graduates may apply for credit to other universities, including Athabasca University for specific course exemptions. Please contact us for more information.
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