How can I become certified?
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) Program has three components:
An individual who meets eligibility requirements and successfully completes the qualifying exam is awarded certification.
What are the benefits of becoming a CPHIMS? Will anyone notice my accomplishment?
Attaining the CPHIMS designation provides both internal and external rewards.
Passing the CPHIMS exam demonstrates mastery of a well-defined body of knowledge considered important to competent practice in today’s healthcare environment. You will know that you have met the highest standards of practice and are among the elite in a critical field of healthcare management.
Certification is fast becoming an industry standard by which individuals are assessed for new positions or promotion. Certification allows you to distinguish yourself in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
What is required to take the exam?
Eligibility requirements include a blend of education and experience in healthcare information and management systems. Requirements are meant to profile the individual who is likely to be successful on the exam, not be a barrier to participation. A candidate must satisfy eligibility requirements before making application for the exam. Eligibility requirements, which follow, are outlined in the CPHIMS Candidate Handbook.
To be eligible for the CPHIMS exam, a candidate must fulfill one of the following requirements for education/work experience.
*Association information and management systems experience includes experience in the following functional areas: administration/management, clinical information systems, e-health, information systems, or management engineering.
How can I obtain a copy of the CPHIMS Candidate Handbook and an application for the exam?
The CPHIMS Candidate Handbook may be obtained by:
How do I apply for the exam?
After eligibility requirements are satisfied, application for exam may be made online at www.goAMP.com or by mailing or faxing paper copy of the application. The application form is included in the CPHIMS Candidate Handbook.
What is tested on the exam?
The exam tests tasks that, through a job analysis, were identified as being performed regularly in practice and important to competent practice. The CPHIMS Candidate Handbook contains the complete content outline for the exam. The outline groups tasks to be tested into major content categories, and provides the number of items dedicated to each category. The outline also contains the number of test items dedicated to testing recall or recognition of facts, comprehension or application of knowledge, and analysis or synthesis of information used to problem-solve.
How do I study for the examination? Are study materials available to help me prepare?
Yes, however, you should begin by reviewing the exam content outline to identify those tasks for which your knowledge level is not particularly strong.
The CPHIMS Candidate Handbook contains a list of Review References that may aid in preparing for the exam. The references are provided as possible sources for study. In addition, HIMSS has prepared a study guide and a series of educational programs to support the CPHIMS Program. Information about purchasing publications and participating in educational programs is available from www.himss.org.
The Self-Assessment Exam (SAE) provides an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the format of the software used to administer this exam, as well as the type of items used on the exam. The questions on the SAE are presented in the same computer format as the CPHIMS exam. This is very valuable in alleviating fears created by not knowing what to expect.
How long does the exam take?
The 115 multiple-choice test items are presented in a 2-hour testing session .
How often is the exam administered?
Each examination is administered continuously throughout the year at over 120 secure computer test sites throughout the United States. Locations of test sites are available at 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.
In addition, HIMSS has made arrangements to offer a special paper-and-pencil administration of the exam during its Annual Conference and Exhibition.
What is the cost of the exam?
The exam fee for a member of HIMSS is $275. The nonmember fee is $345.
What if I fail the exam? How often can I take it?
There is no limit to the number of times you may attempt the CPHIMS exam. Each attempt requires an application and full exam fee.
If I fail the exam, how long do I need to wait before reapplying?
There is no waiting period to reapply for the exam. A candidate may apply online the same day the exam was attempted. If a paper application is mailed or faxed, approximately two weeks are needed to process the application.
How long do I have to wait to find out whether I passed the exam?
For paper-and-pencil administration, score reports are mailed within 8 weeks of the test date. For computer administrations, you receive your score report indicating pass/fail status at the conclusion of the testing session. Within six weeks of testing, the HIMSS forwards a certificate and information on renewal to any candidate who successfully completes the exam.
What is required to maintain my certification status?
Certification must be renewed every three (3) years to maintain status. Renewal involves either