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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
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
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
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:
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.
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.
Interest in compiling information to classify, code, cross-reference and store health records and other information; and in maintaining indexes for classification systems
Interest in operating information retrieval systems; and in preparing medical, social and administrative statistics
Interest in responding to requests for health record information
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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.
Health information management professionals need:
They should enjoy:
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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 15 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jul 02, 2022 and Oct 22, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 12 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Collect, code, cross-reference and store health records and related information | 12 |
| Tasks: Prepare medical, social and administrative statistics | 11 |
| Work under pressure | 10 |
| Tasks: Operate information retrieval systems to research and extract records according to established guidelines in response to requests | 10 |
| Tasks: Classify and code diseases according to an established classification system | 10 |
| Tasks: Classify, code, cross-reference, log and store records | 9 |
| Work Setting: Health care institution, facility or clinic | 8 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 8 |
| Tasks: Abstract, assemble and analyze clinical data and related demographic information from health records according to established policies and procedures | 8 |
HIM professionals need skills and knowledge related to:
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.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
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.
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.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Health information management professionals work for:
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.
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.
Health information management occupations
2016 NOC: 1252
80.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
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 examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
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 examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
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 examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
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 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $28.13 | $46.00 | $33.77 | $31.25 |
| Overall | $28.13 | $50.74 | $39.71 | $38.46 |
| Top | $38.22 | $84.13 | $54.93 | $50.78 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $78,018 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $78,288 |
| Public Administration | $57,032 |
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.
