The Education Committee has been working very hard on behalf of all HIMAA Members. Following are some updates from its Sub-committee and Working Groups.
Clinical Coder Performance Standards (CCWG)
Thank you to all of the HIMAA members and others from the national clinical coding workforce who registered for, and completed, the survey distributed by the CCWG (Convenor: Jennie Shepheard). The survey is part of a large research study being undertaken by the 19 CCWG members from across the country; they work in hospitals, government departments of health, and universities.
Your responses to the survey will be critically important in informing the HIMAA Clinical Coder Performance Standards. As previously advised in HIMAA Matters, the final Standards will replace the current version which was produced by HIMAA almost three decades ago.
Clinical Documentation Integrity (Competency Standards) Working Group (CDIWG)
The CDIWG was established following a request from the HIMAA Board of Directors and commenced work in February 2023. This WG has already reviewed and identified existing HIM Profession-entry Competency Standards in the context of CDI. It is ready to progress to Intermediate- and Advanced-level Standards applicable for HIMs and other CDI Specialists who are members of HIMAA.
Professional Development Sub-committee (PDSC)
The PDSC has established a comprehensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Plan. This is a dynamic, internal working document designed to inform and assist the HIMAA CEO and her staff in setting up CPD activities, especially Webinars. The CPD Plan is based on comprehensive research of the profession’s contemporary practice literature from Australia, the USA, Canada and elsewhere – to identify emerging trends and developments in the health information management arena. This research, and the ongoing input from the PDSC membership (who represent HIMs, CCs, CDISs and others), is informing the CPD Plan.
Are you interested in joining the Professional Development Sub-committee?
Please see the request for Expressions of Interest (EoI) in this issue of HIMAA Matters.
HIMAA Members in any membership category (except Student Member) and regardless of length of experience in the profession or area of specialisation, are most welcome to submit an EoI. If you have ideas or suggestions for what the HIMAA membership needs for their CPD, then you will be most welcome. Closing date is Mon 10 July.
Dr Kerin Robinson, Chair, Education Committee.
On behalf of all members of the Education Committee, the PDSC, and the Working Groups.