Mar 29, 2024  
PUBLISHED 2022-2023 Credit Catalog 
    
PUBLISHED 2022-2023 Credit Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Information Management


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Program Description


Personal health information about Canadians is being collected, recorded, reviewed, and transmitted every day. Informed decisions affecting health services can only be achieved with the best information available. The role of health information management goes beyond managing health records to managing the information contained in those records. Using computer skills and knowledge of healthcare fundamentals, critical medical information is translated from patient health records into data following national data standards. The health information management professional then interprets the data to provide comprehensive quality information for patient care, resource allocation, statistics, research, planning and education. This program provides classroom instruction, laboratory practice with industry specific software, and unpaid clinical practicum placements at established healthcare facilities to train students to become competent health information management professionals.

Program Overview


Fast Facts


  • This program should be completed full-time
  • Program Length:
    • Full-Time (6 Semesters)
  • This program is delivered in a classroom or blended format
  • Full-Time Intakes:
    • Fall
  • Based on the availability of the practicum sites, students may have to re-locate to anywhere in Alberta (and in some circumstances outside of Alberta) in order to complete their practica
  • Students require a personal computer with Internet access in order to complete the required courses

Certain courses may be offered through Open Studies during the daytime, evenings, and/or weekends, as well as in a classroom, blended, or online format. All courses must be completed within the program completion timeframe. Please be advised that for the purpose of student loans, full-time student status requires that learners are enrolled in a minimum of 60% of a full course load per semester.

Your Career


Graduates find work as health information management professionals and are primarily employed in hospitals.

Student Success


Students who experience success in this program and profession:

  • Have higher secondary and/or post-secondary grades
  • Possess effective communication skills in English
  • Are detail oriented
  • Enjoy working in a team environment
  • Have a basic level of computer literacy, with the ability to use word processing and communication software

Credentials


Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be awarded a SAIT Health Information Management diploma.

Graduates of the Health Information Management program will be eligible to write the national certification exam with the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM). After successful completion of the national exam, individuals will become certified Health Information Management Professionals (CHIM) recognized by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA).

Accreditation


This program is accredited by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA), and meets the Learning Outcomes for Health Information Management (LOHIM).

Progression


The progression requirement for students taking credit courses is a Term GPA and Total Institutional GPA of 2.0, with the exception of English Language Foundations and Academic Upgrading programs.

Admission Requirements


Completion of the following courses or equivalents:

  • At least 60% in Math 30-1, Math 30-2, AND,
  • At least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2, AND,
  • At least 60% in Biology 30
  • All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Program Outline


Total Credits 61.5


Program Outcomes


  1. Use effective written, verbal, and non-verbal communications skills in all health information management practice settings.
  2. Demonstrate compassion and respect in all aspects of health information management practice.
  3. Adhere to legal and ethical requirements with personal and professional accountability and responsibility to ensure the protection and safety of practitioners, patients, and the public.
  4. Collaborate effectively within the interdisciplinary team to achieve a high standard of patient-centered care in all aspects of health information management practice.
  5. Use critical thinking skills and an evidence-based approach in all aspects of health information management practice to optimize patient care.
  6. Plan for participation in lifelong learning and continuing education in order to excel in personal and professional practice as a health information management professional.
  7. Create a community of knowledge sharing and professional pride through education and preceptorship of students, peers, and inter-professional team members.
  8. Demonstrate proficient use of technology to promote best practice in health information management.

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