CPHIMS Certification

Last Revised 15 Oct 24

CPHIMS Learning Plan

The CPHIMS® Learning Plan has been designed to share tools and resources available to
candidates preparing Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management
Systems (CPHIMS) exam. It has been designed using the idea that a candidate will spend a
dedicated amount of time reviewing each content area/subdomain area to familiarize
oneself with the components of the vast body of knowledge. Each candidate should
determine how much time to dedicate to reviewing each content/subdomain area and
adjust this schedule accordingly. The schedule is also intended to align with the recommended
resource, The CPHIMS Review Guide, 4th Edition: Preparing for Success in Healthcare
Information and Management Systems, as well as with other materials identified as part of this
resource. These are suggested resources and suggested schedules and are not intended to be
exhaustive or prescriptive.

There are also three addendums included with this document. The first, Addendum A,
Readiness Checklist, may be utilized to track progress towards achieving the end goal of
challenging the exam. The second, Addendum B, Certification Reference Reading List,
provides additional resources, which may aid in preparing a candidate for the exam. And the
third, Addendum C, Tips for Preparing for a Certification Exam.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of utilizing the resources identified as a part of this tool, the participant will
be able to:

1. Describe the various components of the CPHIMS Body of Knowledge.

2. Articulate the opportunities and challenges in the healthcare environment, while

addressing the technological components needed to deliver patient care.

3. Identify basic clinical and healthcare IT vocabulary/terms frequently represented in

healthcare informatics.

4. Interpret clinical and operational outcomes through the use of various data analytics
tools.

5. Describe the components of the implementation development life cycle in a

healthcare setting by identifying those concepts required from initial inception of an
idea through implementation.

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 6. Discuss the components required to support and maintain those who use software
applications in a healthcare setting.

7. Discuss the current state of privacy and security challenges and opportunities in
healthcare today.

8. Describe the importance of the many administrative aspects of health IT from the
perspective of protecting health information to ensuring that the leadership and
management functions of the healthcare setting are identified and understood.

9. Implement studying and test taking skills and tips that may be utilized to further
prepare the student for taking the exam.

HIMSS recommends that all exam candidates begin preparing by reviewing the CPHIMS
Candidate Handbook. This resource can be found here.

We have also created the CPHIMS Competency Gap Assessment Tool. This tool will help
candidates determine their readiness for the exam. It will help identify personal strengths
and areas for growth to support professional development objectives and help
candidates acquire or strengthen skills and competencies required for success as a 21 st -
century healthcare information and technology leader. This resource can be found here.

Recommended Text

HIMSS. CPHIMS Review Guide, 4th Edition: Preparing for Success in Healthcare Information
and Management Systems, Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society,
Chicago, IL 2021.

*Please note that HIMSS members save 25% off all print books, plus free shipping.
Contact [email protected] to receive the member discount code.

Other Supplementary Materials

HIMSS, along with the HIMSS Professional Certification Board, has prepared a listing of
authoritative references which may also be referenced when preparing for the
certification exam. Please see Addendum B-Certification Reference Reading List.

Other Online References

HIMSS CPHIMS Review Course – This self-paced, on-demand review course is aligned with
the CPHIMS Review Guide, 4th Edition. Participants are guided through nine modules—
each associated with one of the four domains and corresponding subdomains—with all
course content developed by subject matter experts currently teaching or practicing in

CPHIMS Certification | © HIMSS 2024 2

 the health information and technology field. Approximate seat time is 11 hours. This is a
fee-based course. https://www.himss.org/courses/cphims-review/

Healthcare IT Foundations – Open Learning Initiative (OLI) - Carnegie Mellon University -

This course is aligned with the general CAHIMS content and includes expanded content
related to the healthcare and healthcare information and technology industries. Includes
certificate of completion and continuing education credits upon satisfactory completion.
This is a fee-based course. https://www.himss.org/courses/healthcare-information-and-
technology-foundations/

Purchase and Complete the CPHIMS Practice/Self-Assessment Exam

The practice exam for the CPHIMS examination is an online tool created by HIMSS to
familiarize you with the format of the CPHIMS Examination. The 50-question online practice
examination was developed using the same procedures as the CPHIMS examination.
Feedback during the self-assessment may help you identify areas for further review or
study. The questions presented in the practice exam are different from the questions
contained on the CPHIMS exam itself. Performance on the practice exam should not be
considered predictive of final performance on the actual CPHIMS exam. Purchase here.

Schedule

This schedule is designed to follow a plan of studying each content area over the period
of one week. Each individual should determine their own approach and this will vary by
individual. This schedule is based on the recommended text, CPHIMS Review Guide, 4 th
Edition, Preparing for Success in Healthcare Information and Management Systems. It is
also recommended that learners prepare using the additional materials identified in
Addendum B, the Certification Reference Reading List.

Week Topic Assignment

1 Healthcare Environment • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 1 pages 3-22
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 1
Questions
2 Technology Environment • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 2 pages 23-38
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 2
Questions
3 Clinical Informatics • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 3, pages 41-64
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 3
Questions
4 Analysis • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 4 pages 67-96
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 4
Questions
5 Design • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 5 pages 97-105
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 5
Questions

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 6 Selection, • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 6 pages 107-
Implementation, Support 125
and Maintenance • Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 6
Questions
7 Testing and Evaluation • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 7 pages 127-
135
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 7
Questions
8 Privacy and Security • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 8 pages 137-
149
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 8
Questions
9 Management and • Read CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 9 pages 153-
Leadership 195
• Complete CPHIMS Review Guide: Chapter 9
Questions

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 Addendum A

Readiness Checklist

Activity Date Completed

Pre-Review Tasks:
Assemble study materials and aides (e.g., 3x5 notecards, pens,
multi-colored highlighters, mini-Post-it Notes, notebook, rubber
bands to hold groups of notecards, snacks, etc.)
Prepare your study area, e.g., chair cushions, lighting, study
aide organization systems
Review certification information on HIMSS website
Review CPHIMS Candidate Handbook
Determine target date to take CPHIMS Exam
Date: ______________________________
Based on target date determine how many weeks you have
to prepare _________ weeks
Complete the CPHIMS Competency Gap Assessment Tool
Determine schedule
Weekly Review Tasks:
Create summary notes during each of the following activities
Review ‘Healthcare Environment’ materials
Review ‘Technology Environment’ materials
Review ‘Clinical Informatics’ materials
Review ‘Analysis’ materials
Review ‘Design’ materials
Review ‘Selection, Implementation, Support and
Maintenance’ materials
Review ‘Testing and Evaluation’ materials
Review ‘Privacy and Security’ materials
Review ‘Management and Leadership’ materials
As Desired:
Participate in a CPHIMS Review Course. These may be
supported by your organization, by a HIMSS Chapter, or by
HIMSS. Any scheduled courses can be found at
https://www.himss.org/events or the always available on-
demand course can be found here;
https://www.himss.org/courses/cphims-review/. For more
information, you may also reach out to
[email protected].)
Purchase and complete the CPHIMS Practice Exam
Determine additional preparation needs based on results of
CPHIMS Practice Exam
Upon Completion of Weekly Review Tasks:
Re-review the CPHIMS Outline of Exam Topics (found in
Candidate Handbook)
Review all summary notes/notecards from weekly chapter
review and additional resources

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 Complete (again) the CPHIMS Competency Gap Assessment
Tool
Determine and complete additional preparation needs based
on results of CPHIMS Competency Gap Assessment
Register and apply for CPHIMS Exam (should be completed up
to 90 days in advance of target testing date)
Sit for the CPHIMS Exam
Celebrate your accomplishment of passing the exam

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 Addendum B

Certification Reference Reading List

Title

Environment
Healthcare

Environment
Technology

Clinical Informatics

Analysis

Design

Maintenance
Support and
Implementation,
Selection,

Evaluation
Testing and

Security
Privacy and

Leadership
Management and
Buchbinder, Sharon B.; Nancy H. Shanks X
Introduction to Health Care Management 3rd
Edition. 2016. Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13:
978-1284081015
Ciampa, Mark and Revels, Mark. Introduction to X
Healthcare Information Technology. 2012.
Boston, MA. Course Technology. ISBN-13: 978-
1133787778
Coplan, Scott; and David Masuda. Project X X
Management for Healthcare Information
Technology. 2011. McGraw-Hill. ISBN-13: 978-
0071740531

Dye, Carson F. (2016). Leadership in Healthcare: X

Essential Values and Skills, Third Edition. 2016.
ACHE Management. ISBN-13: 978-1567938463
Glaser, John P. Glaser on Health Care IT: X
Perspectives from, the Decade that Defined
Health Care Information Technology. 2016.
Chicago. CRC Press. ISBN-13: 978-1498768528
Harrington, Linda; Craig Harrington, Usability X
Evaluation Handbook for Electronic Health
Records 1st Edition. 2014. HIMSS Book Series.
ISBN-13: 978-1938904585
Hebda, T., & Czar, P. Handbook of Informatics X
for Nurses & Healthcare Professionals. Fifth
edition. 2012. Boston: Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-
0132574952
HIMSS Dictionary of Healthcare Information X
Technology Terms, Acronyms, and
Organizations. Fourth edition. 2017. Chicago:
HIMSS Book Series. ISBN-13: 978-1498772419
HIMSS Terminology Standards (2017, October X X
13). https://www.himss.org/terminology-
standards

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 Title

Environment
Healthcare

Environment
Technology

Informatics
Clinical

Analysis

Design

Maintenance
Support and
Implementation,
Selection,

Evaluation
Testing and

Security
Privacy and

Leadership
Management and
Hoyt, Richard; Ann Yoshihasi. Health X
Informatics: Practical Guide for Healthcare and
Information Technology Professional; 6th edition
(2014) Lulu.com. ISBN-13: 978-1304791108
Joshi, A., Thorpe, L., & Waldron, L. Population X X
Health Informatics: Driving Evidence-Based
Solutions Into Practice. 2017. Burlington, MA:
Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 978-
1284103960
Ong, Kenneth K. Medical informatics: An X
Executive Primer, Third Edition. 2015. Chicago.
HIMSS Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-1938904769
Rinehart-Thompson; Laurie. Health Information X
Privacy and Security, 2nd edition (2018) AHIMA.
ISBN-13: 978-1584265887
Sewell, J. P. Informatics and Nursing: X
Opportunities and Challenges. Fifth edition
2015. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. ISBN 13: 978-
1451193206
Sittig, Dean F. Electronic Health Records: X
Challenges in Design and Implementation 1st
Edition. 2013. Apple Academic Press. ISBN-13:
978-1926895932
Snedaker, Susan. Leading Healthcare IT: X
Managing to Succeed. 2016. Chicago. HIMSS
Book Series. ISBN 13: 9781498774093.
Valacich, Joseph A.; Jeffery A. Offer, Jeffrey X X X
Slater; Joey F. George; Modern Systems Analysis
and Design. 8th Edition 2016. Pearson. ISBN-
13: 978-0134204925
Wager, Karen A.; Frances W. Lee. Health Care X X
Information Systems: A Practical Approach for
Health Care Management 4th Edition. Jossey-
Bass. 2017. ISBN-13: 978-1119337188
White, K. R., & Griffith, J. R. The Well-Managed X X
Healthcare Organization. 2016. Chicago, IL:
Health Administration Press. ISBN-13: 978-
1567937213

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 Environment
Healthcare

Environment
Technology

Informatics
Clinical

Analysis

Design

Maintenance
Support and
Implementation,
Selection,

Evaluation
Testing and

Security
Privacy and

Leadership
Management and
WEBSITES
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS.gov) X

Health Level Seven International X X

http://www.hl7.org

Interoperability Standards Advisory X X

https://www.healthit.gov/policy-researchers-
implementers/interoperability

LOINC https://loinc.org X X

NIH Value Set Authority Center X X

https://vsac.nlm.nih.gov/welcome
The Joint Commission (Jointcommission.org) X

The Office of the National Coordinator X

(healthit.gov)

RxNav https://rxnav.nlm.nih.gov X X

SAFER Guides X X
https://www.healthit.gov/safer/safer-guides

Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) X X

Terminology Services https://uts.nlm.nih.gov/uts/

US Health and Human Services (hhs.gov) X

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 Addendum C

Tips for Preparing to Take a Certification Exam

General advice on potential preparation steps for individuals considering sitting for a certification
exam.

• Review any general materials related to the exam that you can find (typically found
on the organization’s website; e.g. candidate handbooks, exam outlines,
specifications, readiness assessments, etc.).

• Create a study schedule, determine when you would like to take the exam, and then
plan your timeline to lead up to that date.

• Using your education and experience determine your relative comfort level with the
subject matter (typically defined through content outlines, domains, content areas,
knowledge statements, learning objectives, etc.).

o Use this information to determine and prioritize what content you will study,
versus what content you may only need to review, and how long you will spend
on each area.

o Use any information regarding “relative weight” of each content area to aid in
determining the priority in which you will approach the learning materials.

• Perform your own independent research; however, ensure that you are using
authentic sources for your study materials. Obtain any hands-on materials that you will
need.

o Many times, a certification program will provide an authoritative

reading/reference list of materials. Utilize these materials.

• Create quality summary notes. Writing the information on “paper” will help reinforce
what you have read. Study these notes repeatedly.

• Re-write the content from memory onto paper and then compare these notes to the
original notes.

• If presented with the opportunity, create or join a study group comprised of others
studying for the same exam. Sharing and learning from one another’s different
educational backgrounds and experiences can provide very valuable insights. These
groups can also be great for doing deeper dives and assisting in answering questions
that you may have about the materials.

• Answer as many practice questions as you can and identify your areas of weakness.
Focus on these areas. Add answers to incorrect questions to your summary notes.

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 • If offered, participate in a practice/self-assessment exam. These typically utilize the
same testing platform and are representative of the content you will find presented as
part of the exam. Not only will this familiarize you with the platform ahead of time, but
it will also inform you of your performance. These insights can be used to determine
any additional preparation that you may want to pursue prior to taking the exam.

• Finally, as necessary, reach out to the sponsoring organization of the exam. They often
have staff members identified as resources to help guide individuals through the
preparation process.

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