CPHIMS

A mark of distinction

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) has launched a professional certification program for healthcare information and management systems professionals. An individual who meets eligibility criteria and successfully completes a qualifying examination is designated a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS).

HIMSS contracted with Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) to assist in the development, administration, scoring, score reporting and analysis of it's CPHIMS examination.

CPHIMS status provides both internal and external rewards. As a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems, you:

• Distinguish yourself from your peers as certified in healthcare information and management systems;
• Expand your career opportunities;
• Signal that you have mastered proven, broad-based concepts through successful completion of the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems Examination;
• Provide yourself with skills and tools to help you make a difference in your career, your organization, and your community;
• Enjoy the pride of recognition of knowing that you are among the elite in a critical field of healthcare; and
• Have a premier credential based on a sound assessment to distinguish yourself in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Eligibility – inclusive and exclusive

Eligibility standards are designed to include those experienced in healthcare information and management systems, but exclude others. To participate in the CPHIMS examination, a candidate must qualify under one of the following options.

• Baccalaureate degree plus five (5) years of associated information and management systems experience*, three (3) of those years in healthcare.
• Graduate degree plus three (3) years of associated information and management systems experience*, two (2) of those years in healthcare.

*Associated information and management systems experience includes experience in the following functional areas: administration/management, clinical information systems, e-health, information systems, or management engineering.

The assessment instrument – valid and reliable

The CPHIMS credential is awarded to individuals who demonstrate eligibility for the Certification Program and who successfully complete a qualifying examination. The examination consists of 115 multiple-choice test items, presented during a 2-hour session. Scoring is based on 100 items pre-selected for desirable psychometric characteristics. The additional 15 test items are included as pretest items. Performance on pretest items does not affect a candidate’s score.

Content is linked to real-world tasks.

A role delineation study was conducted to define the body of knowledge for the profession. The approach involved surveying members and nonmembers to identify tasks that professionals perform regularly and consider important to competent practice. Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP) assisted to ensure sound measurement practices and a valid assessment instrument.

Tasks were grouped by category, and weightings (percent of the examination) were assigned to produce the examination content outline included in the CPHIMS Candidate Handbook.

Download the CPHIMS Candidate Handbook
Download the Content Outline

Test items assess application of knowledge, not just recall of facts.

The examination content outline also defines cognitive domains into which the tasks are categorized and specifies number of items that test each cognitive domain. The intent is to measure competence, not “book learning.”

Each edition of the CPHIMS examination is constructed in accordance with the examination content outline. Adherence to the content outline ensures that the character of the examination remains consistent from one edition to the next. Consistency ensures reliability of the examination.

Download the Content Outline

Administration is geared to convenience.

The primary mode of delivery of the examination is via computer at over 110 Assessment Centers geographically located throughout the United States. A list of Assessment Centers is available from www.goAMP.com. Testing is scheduled twice daily Monday through Friday (except major holidays), so you are able to test where you wish and when you are prepared.

Scores are private, for your use only.

Only you receive a score report that indicates whether you passed or failed the examination. Your score report is presented to you as you leave the Assessment Center, so there is no wait to find out how you performed. At your request, your employer is informed of your achievement.

Proven expertise in measurement

In addition to knowledge of healthcare information and management systems, development of a sound certification program requires an understanding of psychometrics, the science of measurement. AMP was engaged to provide this critical ingredient. AMP has been serving healthcare clients for over 15 years.

By professionals…for professionals

The CPHIMS Certification is governed by the CPHIMS Certification Committee, a HIMSS committee of individuals with subject-matter expertise in the content tested on the examination. This Committee is responsible for assuring that certification meets high standards required for the profession; and is charged with setting general standards for the program, developing examination specifications, constructing new editions of the examination and establishing passing standards for the examination.

Testing Fees: A worthwhile investment – why wait?

The examination fee for a member of HIMSS is $275. This represents $70 savings over the $345 fee charged to nonmembers. Payment of the examination fee entitles a candidate to take the examination, receive a score report, receive a certificate of achievement and other recognition of the certification, and use the distinguished CPHIMS on letterhead, business cards and other professional communications, in directory listings and in signature.

The CPHIMS Candidate Handbook contains eligibility requirements for participation in the program, a complete content outline for the examination, sample test items, a list of review references that may aid in preparing for the examination, regulations governing conduct of the examination, and an application for examination. The CPHIMS Candidate Handbook may be requested by e-mail or by downloading a printable version of the candidate handbook and application.

Need to review the major content subjects of the exam?

Review material is available on-line, on CD, in a workbook, and in books:

• The CPHIMS Self-Assessment Exam - this 100-question online practice examination matches the content and cognitive areas of the CPHIMS examination
• The CPHIMS Practice Question Workbook with dozens of practice questions will help you to determine your readiness to take the CPHIMS exam.
• A set of 10 CDs provides review of the major content areas of the CPHIMS examination. Each CD provides about an hour of audio and with a synchronized PowerPoint presentation.
• Information Systems for Health Services Administration, Sixth Edition, by Charles J. Austin, PhD, and Stuart B. Boxerman, DSc.
• The Well-Managed Healthcare Organization, Fourth Edition, by John R. Griffith.

For more information, please contact Julianna Kazragys, program manager, professional services, at certification@himss.org, or call 312-915-9216.

HIMSS Resources: