HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
OVERVIEW
Get started on your career as a Health Information professional and help fill the national shortage of skilled practitioners. If you want to work in healthcare, have a strong interest in computers, and know that direct patient care isn't for you, becoming a Health Information professional may be the ideal career choice.
This program prepares graduates to work in many different health settings, using the latest technology to contribute to quality patient care. You’ll study biomedical sciences, digital health, health analytics, privacy and health law.
This program is recognized by the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM). Graduates will be eligible to write the national certification examination administered by CCHIM and will be entitled to use the credentials CHIM to denote their professional designation.
The Canadian College of Health Information Management is a national, not-for-profit corporation that sets the accreditation standards for educational institutions and certification standards for health information professionals in Canada.
The College, incorporated in 1972, protects the public interest by governing and regulating the professional practice of more than 4,300 certified health information member registrants. In enhancing its status as a regulatory body, the College advances the professionalization of the health information industry and acknowledgement of its professionals as key drivers of policy, funding, and the care that Canadians receive.
The Canadian College of Health Information Management sets the accreditation standards for educational institutions offering health information programs in Canada.
Accreditation demonstrates to the public that a program is aligned with industry standards, as identified through the College’s needs assessment and consultation with the industry. It is a voluntary, self-regulatory process to recognize those that meet or exceed the standards set for health information education. The purpose of accrediting programs is to ensure continuous quality improvement of the educational content to support the evolving health information industry.
To learn more about the Health Information Management profession please visit www.echima.ca or www.cchim.ca
PROGRAM DETAILS
Code1008
Start DateMay, January, September
CredentialOntario College Diploma
CampusKingston
Program Length2 Years
DeliveryFull-Time
Open for international students
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The HIM professionals are the only certified experts in the science and technology of health information. Their key role is to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of personal health information within the Domains of Practice:
- Electronic Health Information Management (e-HIM®);
- Data Quality;
- Privacy;
- Health Information Management Standards.
The skills gained as an HIM professional is portable and can be applied in a variety of roles, including:
- Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
- Chart Management Specialist
- Cancer Registrar
- Information Governance Analyst
- Terminology Technical Specialist
- Quality and Patient Safety Advisor
- Consultant | Clinical Records Director
- Privacy Officer
- Utilization Management Officer
PROGRAM OUTLINE
2022-2023
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
REQUIREMENTS
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:
- Grade 12 English at the C or U level
- Grade 11 Math at the C, U or M level
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology at the C or U level
For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program - free for Ontario residents who are 19 years or older.
Health Requirements
Pre-Placement Immunization Requirements
Immunizations are MANDATORY for this program and can take months to complete. Both International and domestic students in this program are required to complete the Immunization Communicable Disease Form to be eligible to attend placement. Without required immunizations and necessary blood work completed, students will NOT be eligible to complete a placement, which can affect their ability to graduate.
Note for International students: Fees apply to most vaccines in Canada. You are encouraged to start/complete your Immunization Communicable Disease Form in your home country and bring that documentation to Canada. On arrival at SLC, the SLC Campus Health Centre can also assist you with your requirements.
Additional Immunization Requirements Students Need to Complete
In addition to the immunization requirements listed in your Program Immunization Communicable Disease Form, students attending clinical placement locations may also be asked to complete the additional vaccinations listed below and provide proof with dated receipts to the agency before they can begin placements. These are agency-specific and as such, the agency may deny a student access to their location without these completed.
- Minimally 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
- Annual flu shot (when available)
Once Students Register:
Students will receive instructions on how to begin the immunization process that includes:
- Booking an appointment with the Campus Health Centre (BOOKING LINK) or an individual’s primary care physician to complete the appropriate below form and any necessary blood work
- DOMESTIC STUDENT Immunization Communicable Disease Form – read carefully
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENT Immunization Communicable Disease Form – read carefully
- Where and how to submit your information to ensure it is received safely and remains confidential, including blood work results if required
- Due dates when all information must be submitted by to be eligible for placement
Registered students are STRONGLY encouraged to complete information as soon as notified, to avoid any disruption to placement or imposed penalty fees.
Questions regarding immunizations can be emailed to immunizations@sl.on.ca.
As an active SLC student, you are automatically enrolled in a student insurance plan. To learn more about how this applies to your immunization requirements please visit www.wespeakstudent.com (domestic) or www.guard.me (international).
PLACEMENT
Practicum Experience
As an accredited program by the Canadian College of Health Information Management, students are required to complete over 250 hours of practicum experience with an external organization.
Placement 1: Records Management - Second half of semester 2 (50 hours)
This placement exposes students to the health information lifecycle. Students will work with a health care agency that creates, uses and discloses personal health information to understand the policies and procedures which maintain data quality and enhance patient privacy.
Placement 2: Clinical Coding and Classification - occurs throughout semester 3 (70 hours)
In partnership with Kingston Health Sciences, students will apply their clinical classification, coding and abstracting skills in a living classroom in the Clinical Records department. Here students will create abstracts according to the National Ambulatory Care Reporting system submission standards.
Placement 3: Workplace Integration - occurs during the second half of semester 4 (160 hours)
This is the final placement opportunity where students can experience an entry-level HIM position. The main component of this placement is the administrative or research project that a student must complete on behalf of their placement organization.
Please Note: Placement sites in the immediate Kingston area or in areas accessible by public transportation are not guaranteed. Transportation and living expenses such as food and accommodations are not included as part of the program tuition and are at the student’s expense. Students should allocate $1000 - $2000 to cover the costs associated with their placement requirements.
Pre-Placement Immunization Requirements
For enrolled students: Immunizations are MANDATORY and may take several weeks to complete. Students cannot start any placement(s) without updated immunization status confirmed with the appropriate personnel within the College.
- Prior to arriving to campus, students are required to set an appointment to confirm/update their immunization status with their physician
- If a student does not have a physician, they can obtain their health records from their local Health Unit and then work with their local community walk-in clinic or contact Kingston Campus Health Centre to set an appointment
- Complete the HIM Communicable Disease Form related to your status Domestic or International and take it to your appointment
- Questions about completing this form can be sent to immunizations@sl.on.ca
- Secure and save all medical documents
- Students will be notified where and how to send this information to the College during their first week of classes or through their SLC email account
- PLEASE DO NOT email any medical information using private email accounts
- Once verified as complete, students will be notified that they have met this requirement for placement
Note: Medical coverage for vaccines received on or after September 1, can be claimed by full-time Students under their Student Sickness & Accident Insurance Plan. This insurance is made available to all full-time students once enrolled unless students opt out.
Other Placement Requirements
To be eligible for unpaid placement, enrolled students will need to complete a series of MANDATORY program and agency-specific pre-placement requirements. These will be discussed with students during class time and a Student Placement Facilitator will be in place to assist and answer all placement-related questions.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Police Record Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening
All students will be required to obtain a Criminal Records Check to begin placement.
Please note: Certain placement agencies may require a Vulnerable Sector Screening Police Check your Student Placement Facilitator will advise you of this requirement once placements are confirmed.
IMPORTANT: Students with criminal convictions may be prevented from participating or completing placements for this program. Applicants with criminal records are required to contact the Associate Dean of the respective school (see Program Contacts below) prior to accepting an offer to this program to discuss and confirm participation in this program is suitable.
- Students will be notified if required when to apply for their Police Record Check by the Student Placement Facilitator to ensure the dates remain valid for their placement period.
- Many agencies require these updated every 3-6 months.
- All costs associated with obtaining a Police Record Check are at the expense of the student.
- Enrolled students will be notified of further instruction through their SLC email account or their Blackboards and should continue to monitor frequently.
ADDITIONAL PLACEMENT INFORMATION
Students with outstanding pre-placement requirements may be denied eligibility to begin placement or be required to pay additional fees (at their own expense) to continue and complete the placement component.
Pre-placement requirements are subject to change based on placement agency and/or legislative or regulatory changes.
Program-specific or additional questions? Please email the Program Contact(s) listed below.
FEES
2022-2023
Canadian Students
Tuition
Program Fees
Ancillary Fees
Total
CAD
$2,721.36
$0.00
$1,452.52
$4,173.88
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
International Students
Tuition
Program Fees
Ancillary Fees
Total
CAD
$15,500.00
$0.00
$2,143.85
$17,643.85
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
