
Health information management professionals work for: clinics, including medicentres and Primary Care Network clinics, community care facilities, government departments and privacy commissioners’ offices hospitals mental health facilities, research facilities, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Workers’ Compensation Board offices. Those who like to travel may find employment outside Canada with the World Health Organization or through foreign recruitment agencies. (Source)
Average Hourly
$36.02
Range Hourly
$33.11 – $55.85
Average Yearly
$70,243
Range Yearly
$64,557 – $108,916
Health information management occupations (1252)
Access and Disclosure Specialist, Coding Specialist, Health Information Data Analyst, Health Record Administrator, Information Specialist, Release of Information Specialist, Cancer registrar, Tumour registrar, Health information/records management coder, Health information management practitioner, Health information/records management professional, Health information/record management supervisor, Health information/records management technician, Health records classifier, Health information/records technician, Medical archivist, Medical records supervisor, Medical records technician, Medical records technicians supervisor, Medical records unit supervisor
Completion of a recognized two-year college diploma program in health record technology or health information management. Having the membership of Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) is an asset. This is not mandatory but may be required by some employers.
Average hourly |
Range hourly |
Average yearly |
Range yearly |
$36.02 |
$33.11 - $55.85 |
$70,243 |
$64,557 - $108,916 |
Medium
Employment outlook is mostly fair to good across provinces. More information is available here.
Jobs may start as medical transcriptionist/coder/health information management clerk/analysts etc., but as health information management professionals/practitioners is also possible from the start or with some experience. With further education and/or experience managerial positions can be obtained.
0-3 years
Examples of available programs:
Health Information Management at SAIT, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, CHA learning
Online Health Information Management certificate and diploma programs at McMaster University
The following certificates from CHIMA can be an asset.
CHIM: Certified Health Information Management
CCCS: Certified Classification and Coding Specialist
CCDIS: Certified Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
CTSS: Certified Terminology Standards Specialist
Self-motivation; attention to detail; the ability to multitask; interest in working with big data; the ability to manage many priorities and demands; the ability to be highly accurate; computer hardware and software skills, Problem solving; Goal oriented; Project management
In general, health information management professionals work a standard workweek. Where health record departments are open longer hours, they may have to work shifts. This job involves a lot of time sitting at a computer. Speed and accuracy are critical. The pressure is on to deliver both.
Difference between ‘Health information management’ and ‘Health Informatics’:
Health Informatics |
Health Information Management |
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IMGs can get enrolled in a two-year health information management diploma programs or can complete a certificate (online) programs for start. Also, if entry to the programs in desired institute is difficult for anyone some relevant courses through open studies (e.g., medical transcription at Lethbridge college) may facilitate entry to the health information management. Also, training/experience as medical office assistant can