Health Information Management

Online Info Session on June 30 at 3pm PST
Register for our upcoming live online info session about our Diploma in Health Information Management with instructor Aven Sidhu.
Register Here

Program Overview
Health Information Management is a growing field within the healthcare industry that focuses on using information technology to?organize health information. Accurate and secure management of health information?is a vital aspect of the healthcare industry.?Maintaining?quality data organization supports?privacy and accuracy. This Health Information Management Diploma Program aims to?provide students with a fundamental understanding of the healthcare industry?by covering concepts in?biomedicine, information technology and security.
CCHIM Accreditation
The Ashton College Diploma in Health Information Management Program is proudly accredited by the Canadian College of Health Information Management, which sets the accreditation standards for educational institutions offering health information programs in Canada. Accreditation demonstrates to the public that a program is aligned to 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 profession.
Topics Covered/Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Discover the nuances of Health Information Management as a profession and recognize the policies surrounding protecting records.
Interpret?medical terminology for use in a clinical setting?with accurate pronunciation and spelling.
Explain? introductory?concepts of?the structure and function of the human body?and?identify?how the body responds to disease or injury.
Establish proper collection and preparation of healthcare data.?Discuss the policies regarding data quality and standards.
Observe Healthcare Information Management from a business standpoint and?identify?the complexities of providing patients with healthcare information.
Examine health statistics and their relation to?data analytics.
Comprehend?the importance of security?& privacy policies and how data is accessed within the industry.
Career Opportunities
This program is best suited for individuals interested in careers as health information management professionals, coding specialists, release of information analysts, clinical terminology specialists,?project managers and health information processing clerks. This course is also suited for individuals already in the industry to develop their skills further, or for international graduates to transfer their learning to Canadian standards of practice.
Health Records/Information
Coding
Services Admitting /Patient Registration
Quality Management
Research and Statistics
Information Systems
Utilization Management /Decision Support
Risk Management
Community Health Clinics
Health Care/Pharmaceutical Companies
Primary Care Agencies
Nursing Homes and Long-term Care Facilities

Course Descriptions
HIM01: Introduction to?Health?Information Management (60 hours)
In this course, students will be introduced to the profession of Health Information Management (HIM) and the various healthcare settings that they could find themselves employed in. Students will get a look at data, all the way from collection to destruction. Students will gain an appreciation for the responsibilities of a health information management professional, their role in maintaining high quality patient records and how to properly store data. Students will also become familiar with the role of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) and the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM) as well as the credentialing and certification processes for HIM professionals.
HIM02: MS Office Suite (40 hours)
Through this program (as well as in the field of health information management) there are many times in which a foundational understanding of the Microsoft Office Suite is necessary. In this course, students will develop their skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Students will get the opportunity to create and present their work to their peers. Students will also build on their keyboarding, developing skills in speed and accuracy.
HIM03: Ethics and Practice Health Information Management (60 hours)
In this course, students will explore the ethical considerations when handling health information. Students will discuss the appropriate ethical conduct required to carry out a career in health information management. Students will explore the CHIMA Code of Ethics and apply it to case studies of scenarios from various healthcare settings. Topics in this course will also cover practice guidelines and the various health information organizations.
HIM04: Medical Terminology (80 hours)
In this course, students will be introduced to terminology commonly used in medical practices. By breaking down the components of medical terms, students will be able to interpret the terms based on its relation to specific body systems. Students will learn accurate spelling and pronunciation as well as the most widely used abbreviations and clinical tests. Students will demonstrate application of learning by using medical terminology accurately when referring to various healthcare documentation. In the event of uncertainty, students will learn what resources to access in order to clarify the accurate terminology needed in a given circumstance.
HIM05: Anatomy & Physiology (80 hours)
In this course, students will obtain a foundational understanding of the structure and function of the human body. This course will look at the following systems: cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, reproductive, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, skin and sense organs, and urinary system. The course will also look at cells and tissues within the body as well as the function and relationship between systems.
HIM06: Pathophysiology (80 hours)
This course will look at the way the human body responds to injury and disease. These reactions to injury and disease are represented within various levels of the body systems. Students will make predictions about future ailments and conditions based on the evidence produced within the body systems. Based on observing the status of the patient, the student will be able to devise clinical data.
HIM07: Canada?s Healthcare System (60 hours)
This course will provide students with an understanding of the various components of Canada?s healthcare system. Students will begin by looking at the history of Canada?s healthcare system and the levels of governance in Canada that sanction how healthcare is managed. In this course, students will become familiar with the various regulations and legislations involved in both the private and public healthcare sectors, and the various national and international agencies involved in healthcare in Canada. Students will then look at the concept of care and all aspects of care such as the levels of care, the continuum of care and health care issues and trends. Students will gain an appreciation for the role of health information management professionals in the healthcare system.
HIM08: Coding I (120 hours)
This course is the first of two coding courses in the Health Information Management Program. This course will introduce students to coding classification standards set out by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and the Canadian Classification of Health Interventions (ICD-10-CA/CCI). Students will become familiar with all terminology and processes involved in implementing a classification system as well as the different classification systems in Canada. Students will begin classifying health information by practicing adhering to classification guidelines. This course will look more specifically at the following body systems: skin, blood, respiratory, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular. Students will apply coding guidelines to neoplasm cases and infection cases.
HIM09: Coding II (120 hours)
This course is the second of two coding courses in the Health Information Management diploma program. In this course, students will build on the skills learned in Coding I. Students will continue to practice coding using the ICD-10-CA and CCI classification systems. This course will look more specifically at the following body systems: reproductive, urinary, digestive, nervous, and endocrine. Students will apply coding guidelines to nutritional, metabolic, mental and behavioural disorder cases. This course will explore the processes of sourcing and collection of data, as well as methods used for grouping and case weighting. Students will become familiar with how coded information looks in various systems. This course will briefly touch on the evolution of coding over time. Students will explore repositories, MIS standards, metadata and the cost-benefit ratio of data collection.
HIM10: Information Standards (60 hours)
In this course, students will explore how information standards are developed and upheld in Canada and within the health information management industry. Students will become familiar with the organizations responsible for the development and implementation of standards. This course will also discuss electronic health records (EHR) in Canada and the state of EHR projects in progress.
HIM11: Data Quality (100 hours)
In this course, students will examine the impact of data quality on users, and wherein the health care continuum there may be issues due to poor data quality. Students will become familiar with the process of managing data quality and the frameworks in place to maintain data quality. In this course, students will also get a chance to use electronic records management systems to conduct edits and checks of data to ensure quality standards are met.
HIM12: Records Management (100 hours)
In this course, students will explore the content and requirements for patient records as well as the management of records. Students will learn about the storage, retention and destruction of patient records and the necessity of privacy and confidentiality through all stages of the lifecycle. Students will also explore how to detect and correct errors in records.
HIM13: Statistics (100 hours)
In this course, students will explore both inferential and descriptive statistical measures. Concepts covered in this course are measures of central tendency, variation, probability, sampling distributions, frequency distributions, confidence intervals, correlation, regression, estimation and hypothesis testing. Case studies chosen will be examples from the healthcare industry to be used in applying theory to practice. In this course, students will also become familiar with software that is widely used in statistical analysis
HIM14: Research Methods in Healthcare (80 hours)
This course provides a foundational look at research methods used in healthcare. Students will become comfortable using research terminology and get an overview of research concepts. During the course, students will build on their skills to critically analyze data, as well as the steps required to conduct research within healthcare settings. Students will get a chance to conduct their own basic research study using a methodology of their choosing and present their findings to their classmates.
HIM15: Epidemiology (80 hours)
This course will explore epidemiology and the methods and strategies used by epidemiologists to measure and manage communicable diseases. This course will outline the role of epidemiology in healthcare and how epidemiological data is used to inform decision-making in the healthcare industry. Students will get a look at how diseases are distributed amongst various populations and the contributing factors to the prevalence of a disease among a certain population or demographic. In this course, students will look at what public health steps are taken to promote health and wellness, as well as prevent disease. Students will also gain an appreciation for the different study designs used in epidemiology and the strengths and limitations of each.
HIM16: Decision Support and Data Analytics (120 hours)
In this course, students will explore how decisions are supported in the healthcare industry and the processes of data analysis. Students will focus on sources of data in Canada and interpret trends in health data. Students will have an opportunity in this course to create their own presentation of data. Other topics covered in this course will be; how to improve care based on data analysis, business intelligence tools, needs assessment methods and quality management.
HIM17: Privacy Obligations (80 hours)
This course will look at the concepts of privacy and confidentiality of patient records in both physical and electronic form. Students will explore the legalities surrounding the collection and storage of patient records. Students will become familiar with the provincial and territorial privacy statutes as well as the various privacy frameworks used in Canada. Students will also get a look at the process of information retention and destruction.
HIM18: Tools for Privacy Management (80 hours)
This course will examine the tools used to protect patient records. Students will discuss privacy, security and confidentiality in the care of patient records. Students will explore the forms of retention and destruction of health information as well as different settings in which patient information is held. Other tools discussed in this course will be; accessing and managing privacy risk, controlling and monitoring access to systems and consent management.
HIM19: Access Management and Release of Information (80 hours)
In this course, students will focus on the management of access to information, and the necessary tools and steps required to release information. Students will become familiar with the processes of accessing one?s own information as well as the processes in place in the event of a breach of security. Other topics covered in this course are rights surrounding health information, making requests to change or correct health information and the design and development of policies regarding access to health information.
HIM20: Database Management (120 hours)
This course introduces students to the role that information technology systems play within the healthcare industry. Students will explore health information exchange (HIE) to understand how patient information is shared electronically amongst healthcare professionals. Students will become familiar with concepts in database management and the steps in the systems development life cycle. This course will also explore how IT systems are developed from planning to evaluation and maintenance.
HIM21: Principles of Management and Leadership (100 hours)
In this course, students will become familiar with the principles of management and leadership. Students will explore the theories and techniques used by my management to support a team to meet objectives. In this course, students will look at topics in human resources, people management, project management, program evaluation, resource management and risk management.
HIM22: Practicum (200 hours)
In this final instalment of the Diploma in Health Information Management program, students will get practical experience working in the field within a healthcare setting. Students will apply what they have learned throughout their time in the program in their respective settings, to prepare them for a career in the health information management sector. Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally and uphold the standards of privacy and confidentiality. Students will complete a self-evaluation, use health information management software, complete a research or administrative project and prepare an information session in their practicum setting.

Faculty*
Sherin Elkhawaga
Sherin (pronounced She-reen) Elkhawaga is a health sciences Educator, an International Medical Graduate, a Canadian certified, a registered Medical Radiation Technologist and a College instructor. Sherin has a vast background in Radiography and has taught many courses including anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, healthcare ethics, quality management and pathology. Sherin is a Certified Personal Support Worker and has worked in the hospital as a nurse aide in long-term care facilities. She has also recently acquired a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education-Post Secondary Studies ?Health Care Education, on top of a Post-Secondary Instructor Certificate.
Joble Geevarghese
Joble Geevarghese is a Health Information Management (CHIM) & Health Informatics professional (CPHIMS-CA) with over 12 years of work experience spanning various healthcare delivery systems in different roles. He holds a bachelor?s degree in Nursing, a postgraduate diploma in Business Management- Health Administration, a diploma in Health Information Management, and a Master of Health Administration major in Health Informatics and Information Management (MHA-HIIM) from the University of Regina. He also has certifications in Lean Green belt, report writing, and data analytics.
Ashleen Gill
Ashleen Gill is a passionate and ambitious individual who has been working in the healthcare industry for the past 7 years. She has completed her Bachelor?s Degree in nursing and currently specializes in working with disabled individuals in the community. In the past several years, she has found a passion for teaching healthcare staff and helping them find their passion. She hopes to continue this with her teaching as an instructor at Ashton College.
Abel Mutize
Abel Mutize is an Information Management professional with over twenty years of solid experience in Records Management. He holds an MBA, Bachelors of Arts in English and Communication Studies and the following additional credentials: HND LIS, ND PR, ND RIM. He previously worked as a Manager of Records Management and Registration at BC Cancer. He has worked in different managerial and contracting positions for the Government of Alberta, ICBC, Alberta Health Services, BC Hydro, the City of Woodbuffalo, the City of Saskatoon and various oil and gas companies.
Aven Sidhu
Aven Sidhu is a medical graduate from the Royal?College of Surgeons in Ireland-Bahrain (MB BAO BCh) and has been working within the field of research and health information for 5+ years. Along with his medical degree, he holds certificates in Good Clinical Practices, Quality Improvement, and is completing his Masters of Science (Public Health).?His?research interests include mental health and substance use, community engagement, and health promotion through policy.?Outside of work experience, he enjoys golfing, hockey, reading, and writing.
*Subject to change without notice

Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements for Domestic Students
Are you a domestic student?
You must prove the following:
You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
You are at least 19 years old before the first day of your program
English Language Proficiency Requirements for Domestic Students
Are you a domestic student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
You achieved a C+ (67%) or higher in BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 or an equivalent course in Canada
You have completed two or more years in a row of full-time post-secondary education in English in one of the approved countries listed below OR you have completed three or more years in a row of full-time secondary school education in English in one of the approved countries listed below
You achieved a minimum score on one of the approved tests listed below
Approved Countries
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 55
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): General 6
Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening
General Admission Requirements for International Students
Are you an international student?
You must prove the following:
You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
You are at least 19 years old before the first day of your program
English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students
Are you an international student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
You achieved a C+ (67%) or higher in BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 or an equivalent course in Canada
You have completed two or more years in a row of full-time post-secondary education in English in one of the approved countries listed below OR you have completed three or more years in a row of full-time secondary school education in English in one of the approved countries listed below
You achieved a minimum score on one of the approved tests listed below
Approved Countries
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 55
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): General 6
Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening
General Admission Requirements for Mature Students
Do you identify as a mature student?
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
You are at least 19 years of age
You have not completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
Application Requirements
Mature Students must submit ALL of the following:
At least one letter of reference from a person who is not related to you
A statement of intent clearly outlining your career goals and your reasons for believing you will succeed in the program
A personal profile of 250 words or less
Additional Requirements
You must meet all of the program-specific and non-academic requirements where listed. In some cases, you may need to complete a placement exam to determine academic readiness.
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Additional Requirements for All Students
Graduation from a high school/secondary program with at least one of the following courses: biology, physics, or chemistry.

Dates
Live Online
Full Time:
Year 1: September 12, 2022 ? September 15, 2023
Year 2: September 18, 2023 ? August 23, 2024
Webinars are held Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 am ? 12:00 pm ?PST
Students must devote at least 20 hours per week to attending webinars, seminars, and laboratories online
Seminars and laboratory times are decided at the start of the cohort
2000 hours, including: 1800 hours of instruction, 200 hours practicum
Practicum: June 17, 2024 ? August 23, 2024
In-Class
Full Time:
Year 1: September 12, 2022 ? September 15, 2023
Year 2: September 18, 2023 ? August 23, 2024
Classes are held Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 am ? 1:00 pm ?PST
Students must devote at least 20 hours per week to attending classes, seminars, and laboratories in-person
Seminars and laboratory times are decided at the start of the cohort
2000 hours, including: 1800 hours of instruction, 200 hours practicum
Practicum: June 17, 2024 ? August 23, 2024

Fees
Tuition fees for this program are due and payable 2 weeks prior to the cohort start date. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from this requirement provided they produce proof of funding before the cohort start date.
All formats of the program are eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
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Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
Application fee: $40 (Domestic Students) or $140 (International Students)
Tuition fee (Domestic): $12,000
Tuition fee (International): $15,000
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks. The approximate textbook fee is $1000.

Technical Requirements
Live Online Students
Ashton College uses web conferencing tools to help instructors and students connect and collaborate live online. For the online classes, students need to have a fully functional computer system with a webcam, speakers and microphone or headset and headphones, along with a reliable high-speed internet connection. Though the classes can be accessed using smartphones and tablets, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better learning experience.

This program was reviewed and approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.