August 2022 – Update for HIMAA members
The Education Committee is releasing an annual update of the Health Information Manager (HIM) Professional Competency Standards matrix. This timeframe will benefit all stakeholders. In most years, the updates will be minor or incremental, the idea being to maintain currency of the document in line with advances within the professional domain. The 2022-2023 version is being finalised. It will include the new Profession-entry level Health Data Analytics Competency Standards developed by the Health Data Analytics Working Group (HDAWG) which is convened by Cameron Barnes. Details of these new Standards were presented at the 2021 National Conference.
A Course Promotion Working Party (CPWP) was established by the Education Committee in February 2022. The Education Committee was pleased to hear recently that the Board has plans in place for alternative mechanisms for advocacy of the profession, and for promoting membership; the CPWP was ceased.
The Professional Development Sub-Committee (PDSC) continues to meet its objectives to identify and recommend critical resources for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for HIMAA members. Two new members have recently joined the PDSC: Janine Wapper (NT) and Breanna Harnetty (ACT). The PDSC would be delighted – at any time – to hear suggestions from HIMAA members concerning their current and future needs for CPD resources or activities. Please just email: educationcommittee@himaa.org.au
The Clinical Coder (Performance Standards) Working Group (CCWG), convened by Jennie Shepheard, is working systematically towards its objective of establishing an updated version of the HIMAA (1996) Clinical Coder National Competency Standards and Assessment Guide. The CCWG aims to develop a set of graded, Clinical Coder (and HIM-Coder) Performance Standards for use in clinical coding workplaces throughout Australia. This is a very large piece of work. There is an informative article in the recent issue of HIM-Interchange: 2022, vol 12(1) – accessible via the Member Portal on the HIMAA website. Recent new CCWG members, since that article was written, include: Simone Francis (Vic), Isabel Hayes (NT), Brooke Holyroyd (WA), Nicola Hunt (Tas), Jodee Njeru (ACT), Melissa Turnell (NSW) and Kathy Wilton (Vic). The CCWG now includes representatives from all states and territories, HIM academia and HIMAA Education Services.
The Education Committee intends to establish a new Health Informatics/eHealth (Competency Standards) Working Group (HIWG). An EoI will be distributed during the final quarter of 2022. HIMAA members who have deep interest and experience in any aspects of health informatics, eHealth and health ICT are strongly encouraged to think about submitting an EoI when the time comes!
The Education Committee welcomes contact from individuals, in all categories of the HIMAA membership, who may be interested in contributing to the work of the Education Committee, the PDSC or the various Working Groups. Interested members are most welcome to contact the Chair at: educationcommittee@himaa.org.au
Dr Kerin Robinson, Chair Cassandra Jordan
On behalf of the HIMAA Education Committee members Member, HIMAA Education Committee