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Access and Disclosure Specialist, Coding Specialist, Data Analyst, Health Record Administrator, Information Specialist, Release of Information Specialist
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:
| Starting | $38.24 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $44.39 |
| Top | $49.56 |
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
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 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 records contain patients’ medical histories and courses of treatment (such as doctors’ notes, forms for prescribed medications, input from other members of the treatment team, or test results). Health information management professionals manage both the records and the information inside them. They also provide guidance and expertise to health professionals in other organizations and care settings.
Duties vary but, in general, health information management professionals:
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.
Health information management professionals need:
They should enjoy:
Health information management 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 towards a degree.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no legislation regulating this type of work in Alberta. However, the Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) credential and Health Information Management (HIM) title are registered trademarks of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA).
For more information about obtaining the CHIM designation and using the protected credential and title, visit the CHIMA website.
Health information management professionals work for:
Those who like to travel may find employment outside Canada with the World Health Organization or through foreign recruitment agencies.
Health information management professionals are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1252: Health information management Occupations. In Alberta, 92% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the B513: Records Management and Filing Clerks occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 176 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $23.17 | $47.08 | $38.24 | $39.72 |
| Overall | $24.00 | $54.92 | $44.39 | $48.71 |
| Top | $25.01 | $62.77 | $49.56 | $56.01 |
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* 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.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,762 |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | $67,332 |
Alberta and Northwest Territories (ABNT) Chapter website: abnt.echima.ca
Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) website: www.echima.ca
Health Information Management Association of Alberta (HIMAA) website: www.himaa.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 16, 2018. 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.