Health Information Management

Program Overview

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Health Information Management

Diploma

School of Health Sciences

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals connect the worlds of health and data and ensure we accurately tell the health story of each patient.

Start Date and Length

• Full-time studies (over 2 years) - September to June (71 weeks)
• Part-time studies (over 3, 4, or 5 years) - start your studies with general courses in any term and then join the HIM studies in September

Locations

• Regina
• Online/Distance options available

Overview

The importance of quality health information to make crucial decisions is ever present for health care professionals and leaders. Society is dependent on health information to guide many aspects of our daily lives. Our HIM program will prepare you with the skills and knowledge to be at the forefront of managing critical health information.

HIMs professionals work in a variety of settings. They are leaders of healthcare teams and work as practitioners, coordinators or analysts within health authorities, cancer and government agencies. They work as privacy and informatics analysts, in educational settings, and in public health surveillance. This unique skill set can also open doors to roles with police forces, law, insurance and pharmaceutical firms.

Specific competencies that you will develop through the program include:

• Data collection and coding
• Electronic health information management
• Information privacy, security and confidentiality
• Interpretation and analysis of health data
• Access to and protection of health information
• Record and systems management

Delivery Format

Health Information Management is a nationally accredited two-year diploma program offered in two formats: in person and online. The onsite, in-person cohort is offered at the Regina campus, with the full-time classes being 60% onsite and 40% online. The online format offers a flexible format for those working full time or those with significant personal responsibilities. The online program can be extended from a 3–5-year period. Our team is there to guide you along your journey and to assist you with designing the course plan that works for you.

Applied Learning

Applied hands-on learning is the cornerstone of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s vision for education and allows you to hone the skills you’ve learned throughout the HIM program. Our partners in industry are excited to work with and mentor our students and you’ll work on projects with them, gain real world experience and make important industry connections. We work with employers (where you live) to allow you to complete these experiences as part of your studies. At times some travel or a virtual experience is needed, but whenever possible we work with you to create engaging and on-site practice experiences.

Diploma to Degree

Ladder your diploma into the Bachelor of Applied Management degree at Saskatchewan Polytechnic with only two years of additional study. Remote classes and part-time options are available.

Your HIM diploma is a great start in your life-long learning journey and allows you to transfer into a variety of degree programs and to be considered for the graduate studies at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Health Information Management graduates work as information management practitioners, coordinators and analysts in many different areas of health care including hospital admitting, quality management, research and statistics, information systems, utilization management and risk management. Look for positions with health regions, government agencies, community clinics, long-term care facilities, home care agencies and mental health or outreach programs. Or transfer your skill set into other areas such as education, law enforcement, insurance and research.

Potential Careers

• Health information management practitioner
• Information management technician
• Health program information analyst

Part-time Delivery

In order to graduate and receive a credential for this program, part-time students must apply and be admitted to the program before taking CLIN 101 and PATH 272.

You can choose a path to complete your studies in three, four, or five years (part time). The part-time option is designed in a flexible format to allow you to meet your own professional and personal goals. The program must be completed within five years, and has multiple pathways for full-time and part-time students.

Classes are offered through the core HIM program and through the Arts and Sciences department. Courses offered through the Arts and Sciences department may be offered throughout the year. Although the program typically starts the last week in August, both part-time and full-time students can also choose to take classes from the list at the bottom of this page throughout the year.

Out-of-province students will ideally have their practicums in their home province. It may take up to a year to place out-of-province students in practicum sites in their home province, so early communication is essential.

Students who have not yet applied to the program may take some classes as unclassified students. While the program officially starts in late August of each year, classes are also available outside of the normal start date in: November, January, March and May. You may take the following courses as an unclassified student prior to being accepted into the program:

• APHY 100
• APHY 200
• COMP 174
• COMP 175
• COMP 176
• COMM 262
• ENGL 100 or ENGL 101
• MED 161

Admissions

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 with a minimum overall average of 70% in the following subjects: English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30*, one 30-level science (one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
• Minimum 25 net words per minute keyboarding speed with 90% accuracy (5-minute testing report to be submitted with transcripts)
• English Language Requirement for Health Information Management (See program-specific ELP)

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

Admission Method

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies.

• Year 1: $10,140
• Year 2: $8,650

Courses

Year 1 - Semester 1

• APHY-100: Anatomy and Physiology 1 (4 credits)
• CLIN-101: Clinical - Records Management and Professionalism (4 credits)
• CLIN-102: Clinical - Coding 1 (4 credits)
• COMP-174: Introduction to Microsoft Excel 1 (1 credit)
• COMP-176: Introduction to Microsoft Access 1 (1 credit)
• HINF-160: Health Information Management (4 credits)
• MED-161: Medical Terminology (3 credits)
• PATH-161: Pathophysiology 1 (3 credits)

Year 1 - Semester 2

• APHY-200: Anatomy and Physiology 2 (4 credits)
• CLIN-236: Clinical - Coding 2 (4 credits)
• CLIN-237: Clinical - Coding 3 (7 credits)
• COMP-175: Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2 (1 credit)
• ENGL-101: Critical Reading and Writing (3 credits)
• PATH-272: Pathophysiology 2 (3 credits)
• PATH-273: Pathophysiology 3 (3 credits)

Year 1 - Semester 3

• COMM-262: Workplace Communication (2 credits)
• PRAC-165: Health Information Practicum 1 (11 credits)

Year 2 - Semester 4

• COSC-262: Database Programming (4 credits)
• HINF-201: Health Information Analysis (4 credits)
• HINF-260: Epidemiology and Population Health (4 credits)
• HINF-262: Health Care Law and Ethics (4 credits)
• HINF-264: Program Management (3 credits)
• HINF-265: Health Information Systems (3 credits)
• STAT-260: Statistics for Health Sciences (4 credits)

Year 2 - Semester 5

• CLIN-288: Clinical - Coding 4 (10 credits)
• HINF-263: Human Resource Management and the Employee (2 credits)
• HINF-266: Health Standards and Informatics (2 credits)
• PRAC-262: Health Information Practicum 2 (18 credits)

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

• Athabasca University: Graduates of this program may be eligible for block transfer of 36 credit units toward a Bachelor of Health Administration Post Diploma degree program.
• Thompson Rivers University: Graduates of this program may be granted a maximum of 60 transfer credits into the Bachelor of Health Science.
• Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University): Graduates of this program with a 70% GPA may earn credit in the Bachelor of Health Administration.

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Accreditation

Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA)

Health Information Management is the only diploma program in Saskatchewan accredited by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Having a CHIMA-recognized diploma qualifies you to write the national certification exam and gain industry recognition as a Health Information Management (HIM) professional.

Additional Information

• Indigenous Student Experience

Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves students through applied learning opportunities on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 Territories and the homeland of the Métis.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Health Information Management (HIM) diploma program offered by Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a two-year, full-time program focusing on the management and analysis of health information within the Canadian healthcare system. The program prepares graduates for careers as HIM professionals who work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and research institutions.

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Objectives:

• Equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to manage, analyze, and interpret health information using national and international standards.
• Medical Terminology: Students gain a thorough understanding of medical terminology related to anatomy, physiology, and pathology, essential for interpreting and coding health records.
• Coding and Abstracting: Students learn to code and abstract data from medical records using internationally recognized coding systems like ICD-10-CA/CCI.
• Epidemiology and Population Health: This explores the distribution of diseases in populations, factors influencing health outcomes, and public health principles.

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Other:

The HIM program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online learning with practical experience. It offers a flexible schedule, allowing students to choose between full-time and part-time completion options. The program also has a strong emphasis on applied learning through practicum placements in various healthcare settings, ensuring students gain hands-on experience and exposure to real-world scenarios.

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Careers:

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Sample job titles:

• Health Information Management Practitioner
• Information Management Technician

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Potential career opportunities:

• Hospital Admitting
• Medical Records Department
• Cancer Registries
• Government Health Agencies
• Pharmaceutical Companies

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Other:

• The program prepares graduates to work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and research institutions.
• The program is offered in a hybrid format, combining online learning with practical experience.
• The program offers flexible completion options, allowing students to choose between full-time and part-time study.
• The program has a strong emphasis on applied learning through practicum placements.
• Graduates are eligible to write the national certification exam to become Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIAs).