Does CHIMA Certification Unlock Better Job Opportunities in Health Informatics? A Closer Look

Canada’s health system is rapidly becoming more data-driven – with growing reliance on analytics, interoperability, and information governance. Hospitals, public-health agencies, and private digital-health firms are investing in systems that capture, analyze, and share information more effectively. As a result, they are seeking professionals with both technical skills and recognized competencies in data quality, privacy, and governance – something that recognized credentials like the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) can provide.

With that in mind, we spoke with Dr. Pria Nippak, Academic Coordinator, Health Informatics certificate at The Chang School, and Lisa McKenzie, Executive Director at CHIMA, “Does certification with The Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) still make a measurable difference in job prospects?”

Health informatics roles have evolved dramatically. Employers now expect verified competencies in information governance, data quality, and privacy-by-design – areas that align directly with CHIMA and Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems-Canada (CPHIMS-CA) certification frameworks.

— Dr. Pria Nippak, Academic Coordinator, Health Informatics certificate at The Chang School

The Evolving Health Informatics Job Market

Coding and record keeping are no longer the sole focus of “health information management” with today’s graduates entering the workforce in a broad range of roles, including clinical or enterprise data analyst, privacy and access analyst, eHR application specialist, interoperability analyst, reporting developer, and digital-health project manager.

Pria notes that demand has expanded for data-governance and interoperability specialists who can prepare information for AI-enabled decision-making. “The growing need for data stewardship and model readiness reflects how digital health is maturing,” she says.

Certification as a Career Differentiator

So, how much difference does certification really make?

This depends on where you want to work, Pria points out.

“CHIMA membership or the CHIM designation provides smoother access to roles that explicitly require those credentials – such as release-of-information, coding and abstracting leadership, privacy, and data-quality management,” she explains. “Many hospitals and public-health agencies list CHIMA certification as preferred or required.”

Having said that, health informatics alumni who don’t have a CHIMA designation can still build successful careers in analytics, vendor (selling goods or services to a customer), or transformation roles. However, they may not meet qualifications for positions involving regulated information-governance responsibilities. These roles require CPHIMS-CA certification, which is offered through Digital Health Canada, and shows employers that they have senior-level informatics competency.

“Certifications are increasingly used as hiring heuristics for safety- and quality-sensitive work,” Pria adds.

While CHIMA focuses on information governance, health information standards, and privacy, , CPHIMS-CA emphasizes systems integration and digital transformation. CHIMA certifies health information management professionals focused on data quality, the health information lifecycle,, and privacy in healthcare records, while CPHIMS-CA recognizes digital health and IT leaders with expertise in healthcare systems, analytics, and strategy.

What CHIMA Certification Tells Employers

Certification is more than a credential – it’s a national quality assurance standard, says Lisa.

“Certification ensures that professionals have the competencies required by industry,” she says. “Graduates of accredited programs have all met the same foundational learning outcomes and confirm their competency by passing the National Certification Exam.”

CHIMA’s flagship Certified in Health Information Management (CHIM) designation validates expertise across key domains, including information governance, data quality and analytics, privacy and confidentiality, terminology and classification standards, as well as technology and interoperability.

Specializations such as the Certified Terminology Standards Specialist (CTSS) and Certified Coding and Classification Specialist (CCCS) extend that expertise to high-demand areas like interoperability, SNOMED-CT, HL7/FHIR messaging, and advanced data accuracy – skills essential to connected-care systems.

Earning Employer Recognition and Building Industry Trust

CHIMA certification is highly valued by Canadian healthcare organizations; many roles prefer or even require certified professionals. On top of that, employers often view certification as something that gives healthcare professionals credibility and commitment to data privacy and security standards.

The public expects their health information is managed by certified professionals. “Our certifications help foster trust by ensuring data is handled ethically and competently.

— Lisa McKenzie, Executive Director at CHIMA

This emphasis on public trust is also why CHIMA certification requires ongoing Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and adherence to the Health Information Professional Code of Ethics, ensuring members maintain up-to-date skills as technologies evolve. Our certifications are endorsed by industry leaders, including the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and Canada Health Infoway.

How The Chang School Prepares Learners

The Certificate in Health Informatics allows learners to start on their pathway towards pursuing CHIMA certification or complementary credentials like CPHIMS-CA. In order to acquire the knowledge base needed to obtain certification, learners can go on to pursue TMU’s Bachelor of Health Administration. The program draws on degree credit courses from the Bachelor of Health Administration program at TMU, which is CHIMA-recognized and a Canadian College of Health Leaders-accredited program within the Ted Rogers School of Management.

“Our courses map directly to CHIMA competencies,” says Pria. These include data foundations (database design, SQL, and reporting); standards and interoperability (Canadian context for controlled terminologies and data mapping); governance and privacy (Personal Health Information Protection Act-aligned practices and access/disclosure management); and delivery skills (workflow analysis, change management, and digital-health project coordination).

This alignment with CHIMA competencies allows learners to build foundational knowledge while determining which certification best fits their career goals.

“For governance or HIM-anchored roles, CHIMA is often the right path,” Pria says. “For digital-transformation or vendor-side roles, CPHIMS-CA may be more strategic.”

Beyond Credentials: Why Experience Still Matters

While certification opens doors, both experts agree that experience gets you the job.

“Certifications help clear HR screens and attest to baseline competencies,” Pria explains. “Hands-on experience differentiates finalists.” She advises students to create tangible portfolios that demonstrate real-world application of their skills—whether that’s a de-identified SQL dashboard, a data-quality improvement case, or a privacy-workflow analysis.

“This evidence bridges the gap between formal learning and workplace readiness,” she says.

Looking Ahead: AI, Governance, and Growing Demand

As artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and cybersecurity become embedded in healthcare, both CHIMA and The Chang School see the value of certification increasing.

“CHIMA’s latest standards already incorporate these emerging areas,” notes Lisa. “We continually update our frameworks in partnership with academia and industry.” Pria anticipates a growing premium on CHIMA-grounded skills that make AI safe and useful: data stewardship, coding normalization, provenance tracking, and privacy governance.

“As AI spreads, organizations depend on trusted data pipelines – and that’s where certified HIM professionals play a crucial role,” she says.

Where Certification Fits Into Your Career Stage

For newcomers, start by building a foundation that maps to certification frameworks such as CHIMA or CPHIMS-CA. Whereas for mid-career professionals, certification can validate experience and signal readiness for leadership.

“An investment in certification is an investment in yourself,” says Lisa. “It can open doors, validate your expertise, and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth.”

Networking also plays a critical role.

“The Chang School hosts data-networking events each term, and CHIMA offers communities of practice,” Pria adds. “Many roles are filled through professional networks.” In a healthcare system defined by data, the professionals who manage, govern, and interpret that data hold immense responsibility.

Certification, particularly CHIMA’s CHIM designation, serves as a trusted signal of ethical practice, technical competence, and readiness to meet the demands of digital health.

For learners looking to enter or advance in health informatics, that signal can make all the difference.

Explore the Health Informatics Certificate at The Chang School to build the foundation for CHIMA certification and a future-ready career in Canada’s digital health ecosystem.