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Health Information Management Professional

Health information management professionals collect, record, review, disclose, and manage health information. They make sure personal health information stays intact and private. They also collect and interpret data used to make decisions about health services.

Also Known As

Access and Disclosure Specialist, Clinical Coding Specialist, Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist, Health Data Analyst, Data Coordinator, Health Information Administrator, Health Information Coordinator, Health Information Specialist, Health Record Administrator, Health Privacy Specialist, Privacy Officer, Release of Information Specialist, Research Analyst

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 1413.3: Health Records Technicians

2006 NOC-S

  • B513: Records Management and Filing Clerks

2011 NOC

  • 1252: Health information management occupations

2016 NOC

  • 1252: Health information management occupations

2021 NOC

  • 12111: Health information management occupations

2023 OaSIS

  • 12111.00: Health information management occupations
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Health records contain patients’ medical histories and courses of treatment. These may include doctors’ notes, forms for prescribed medications, input from other members of the treatment team, or test results. These records serve as crucial information for providers to make informed decisions about patient care and treatment. They also track the overall health status of individuals over time.

Health information management (HIM) professionals manage both the documents used to record information and the information within them. For example, the documents might be paper or digital. The information might include diagnoses, treatments, medications, immunizations, and other health-care data and history. HIM professionals also provide guidance and expertise to health professionals in other organizations and care settings.

Duties vary but, in general, HIM professionals:

  • Oversee the use and management of health information systems, including electronic health records (EHRs)
  • Translate information from paper files into digital records
  • Assign accurate codes to medical diagnoses and procedures, for billing and statistical purposes
  • Convert patient diagnostic and intervention information into a standard format using an international classification system and Canadian coding standards
  • Make sure patient clinical records are complete, accurate, and secure, yet can be retrieved on demand (as appropriate)
  • Identify and run data quality checks on records and databases
  • Secure and release patient information as per Alberta’s Health Information Act
  • Collect other information about patients and their hospital stays to generate data about the patient population
  • Use computer software to manage health data for planning, research, and education purposes
  • Manage clinic electronic medical records
  • Contribute to health research initiatives by providing accurate and timely health data
  • Stay informed about Canadian standards and practices for managing health information
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

In general, health information management professionals work a standard work week. Where health record departments are open longer hours, they may work shifts. They may work full-time, part-time, or casual.

This job involves a lot of time sitting at a computer. Speed and accuracy are critical. There is pressure to deliver both.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Health Records Technicians

2006 NOC: 1413.3

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information to classify, code, cross-reference and store health records and other information; and in maintaining indexes for classification systems

innovative

Interest in operating information retrieval systems; and in preparing medical, social and administrative statistics

directive

Interest in responding to requests for health record information

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Health information management professionals need:

  • Self-motivation
  • Analytical skills
  • Attention to detail
  • The ability to manage multiple tasks
  • The ability to manage many priorities and demands
  • Accuracy
  • Judgment skills
  • Computer hardware and software skills
  • Adherence to ethical standards
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Discretion
  • The ability to work independently

They should enjoy:

  • Working methodically
  • Learning continually
  • Taking part in data quality controls
  • Using information retrieval systems
  • Responding to requests for information

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Health information management occupations

2016 NOC: 1252

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 14 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jul 02, 2022 and Jul 06, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Attention to detail
Tasks: Collect, code, cross-reference and store health records and related information
Tasks: Prepare medical, social and administrative statistics
Work under pressure
Tasks: Operate information retrieval systems to research and extract records according to established guidelines in response to requests
Tasks: Classify and code diseases according to an established classification system
Tasks: Classify, code, cross-reference, log and store records
Construction Specialization: Accurate
Health benefits: Health care plan
Tasks: Label, prepare and transfer information files according to established records management life-cycle procedures and schedules
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

HIM professionals need skills and knowledge related to:

  • Biomedical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology)
  • Epidemiology
  • Information sciences and technology
  • Canada’s health-care system
  • Legislation and regulations governing privacy, information security, and confidentiality
  • Standard classification systems and technologies
  • Ways to integrate and manage clinical data
  • Ways to analyze and present information
  • Ethics and practice
  • Ways to manage and use databases
  • Electronic records management
  • Project management

They may learn the skills and knowledge they need by taking a full-time program at a post-secondary school or a distance education program. Employers may prefer to hire those with a related degree or require those with a diploma to work toward a degree.

A program accredited by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) ensures that the education aligns with national standards. CHIMA accreditation is recognized as a benchmark for quality in HIM education.

Many HIM programs in Canada include practical components. These may include internships or practicum experiences, providing students with hands-on training in real-world health-care settings.


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no legislation regulating this type of work in Alberta. However, the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) offers the Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) credential and Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) title, among other designations.

For more information about obtaining CHIMA designations, visit the certification page of the CHIMA website.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Health information management professionals work for:

  • Clinics (including medicentres and primary care network clinics)
  • Community health and long-term care facilities
  • Government departments and privacy commissioners’ offices
  • Hospitals
  • Mental health facilities
  • Research facilities
  • Canadian Institute for Health Information
  • Workers’ Compensation Board offices
  • Rehabilitation centres
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Health insurance companies
  • Health-information technology companies
  • Educational institutions
  • Law offices with injury claim departments
  • Companies with a health and safety department (where they manage employee health information)
  • Private organizations that manage health information
  • Technology companies that work with health information

Justice, technology, insurance, veterinary, and other sectors in Canada also employ HIM professionals.

HIM professionals who like to travel may find employment outside Canada with the World Health Organization or through foreign recruitment agencies.

The Canadian College of Health Information Management has a reciprocal agreement with health information associations in the US, Australia, and Korea.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 1252: Health information management occupations occupational group, 80.7% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 1252: Health information management occupations occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 11 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Health information management occupations

2016 NOC: 1252
Average Wage
$39.15
Per Hour
Average Salary
$70,481.00
Per Year
Average Hours
34.7
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 1252 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $26.80 $37.30 $29.41 $27.78
Overall $34.63 $47.85 $39.15 $39.35
Top $37.38 $57.26 $46.93 $47.30

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
14%
14%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
0%
0%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Clerical and Administrative Support
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) website: www.cihi.ca

Canada Health Infoway website: www.infoway-inforoute.ca

Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) website: www.echima.ca

Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM) website: cchim.ca

CHIMA - Alberta and Northwest Territories (ABNT) Chapter website: www.echima.ca/chapters/abnt

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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