Three professions in one Standards framework, says HIMAA

The Health Information Management Association of Australia (HIMAA) is consulting with members and the broader sector to modernise the Health Information Manager Professional Competency Standards Version 4.0 while also developing dedicated Competency and Capability Standards for Clinical Coders and Clinical Documentation Specialists.

The peak body has extended its deadline for the feedback survey until Sunday August 9. 

In a briefing to members, HIMAA CEO Sallyanne Wissmann described “three professions in one framework.”

“We need to do all we can, in our capacity as the professional association, to support the sustainability and growth of this important profession, and our impact, influence and value,” Ms Wissmann said.

“We have seen rising pressure and demand, not only for our profession and our expertise, but also in relation to data quality, integrity, governance and AI. There are many challenges in the professional practice space to which we need to continue to adapt and respond.”

Ms Wissmann said the profession continued to evolve. “Our competencies and capabilities need to continue to adapt and evolve within the environment in which we work and serve.”

She said there was a rich history of competency standards for the health information management profession.

“From my perspective, this is one of our key foundation pieces. It defines and describes the knowledge, skills and expertise of health information management professionals. It’s like putting the flag in the sand and saying: this is who we are, what we do and how we contribute.

“For the first time, we are bringing competencies and capabilities together in one framework. The shared professional framework covers health information managers, our degree-qualified professionals; clinical coders and the variety of roles working in the clinical coding space; and clinical documentation specialists.

“At the beginning of 2025, HIMAA released a professional identity statement. This helped define and expand who is included as a health information management professional: health information managers, clinical coders and clinical documentation specialists.

“It is now time to take the next step and define the competencies and capabilities for our profession. This is three professions in one framework.”