I am interested in becoming CHIM certified. Why are there two different CHIM certification exams?
All exams for the CHIM, dating back to 2015, have a common core called Health Information Fundamentals across different learning formats such as diplomas, post-graduate diplomas, degrees, and now master’s degrees. This framework was maintained in the modernized standards that were brought to market in 2022.
A diploma program builds on health information fundamentals preparing people for applied roles, giving them tactical skills that are in demand by health systems across the country.
A degree program builds on health information fundamentals by preparing people for roles that leverage health data to advance daily objectives. For example, when Douglas College was designing its Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, they met with various industry leaders who all use health data for their daily operations, and they came up with a program that offers pathways for 3rd and 4th year HIM students. Students can choose their learning journey to suit their interests (health policy, health governance, health law, core HIM, IT, etc.) while still achieving the core health information fundamental competencies and knowledge of the profession. That way they finish with a B.HIM educational credential and are still required to write the National Certification Exam from The Canadian College of Health Information Management, to attain their professional CHIM certification.
