What is CHIA?

CHIA (Certified Health Informatician Australasia) is a unique credentialing program in health informatics managed by the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH).

CHIA formally recognises the knowledge and skills for those working in health informatics and digital health. CHIA demonstrates that you have broad expertise in health informatics principles, concepts, methods and the ability to apply these in the workplace.

CHIA is bestowed on those who successfully complete the CHIA examination. The examination covers a wide range of topics, within six major areas of competence considered essential for a health informatician in Australasia.

How do I pronounce CHIA?

Chee – ah (like the super food)

What does CHIA certification involve?

The CHIA certification tests whether you have the knowledge and skills that are identified in Australian Health Informatics Competency Framework to perform as a health informatics professional.

Can anyone sit the CHIA examination?

In order to register and sit for the CHIA examination, you must have:

• A degree plus six (6) continuous months of associated health experience*

OR

• No degree but three (3) cumulative years of associated health experience*

* Associated health experience includes the following functional areas: healthcare and wellness, health administration/management, education, public health, health information management, health informatics, information and communication technology, information systems, healthcare and wellness research, data analytics, software architecture, cybersecurity, and project and program management.
Positions presented for associated health experience must have been held for a minimum of six months duration and within the last ten years.

What job role information do I need to provide?

The form will ask you to select which eligibility criteria option you meet, a degree plus 6 months of continuous work experience, or no degree and 3 years of cumulative work experience.

In the field asking for the summary of relevant roles you will need to provide the Job tile, employer organisation and duration of that role.

For example:

• Medical Fatigue Risk Management Officer, Townsville Hospital, 6 months
• Data Analyst, Monash Health, 4 years 3 months
• Clinical Nurse Consultant – Quality and Standards, Queensland Health, 3 years

I don’t live in Australia – can I sit the CHIA examination?

Absolutely!

I’m not eligible to take the examination – what can I do?

If you don’t meet the criteria but believe you have enough relevant experience in the workforce, please contact us to state your case. The CHIA Examination Committee will review your application and make a decision. If you are still deemed to be ineligible, your registration fee will be refunded and you will not be able to sit the examination.

If you are a student or early in your health informatics career, becoming a member of AIDH and joining the Emerging Professionals Network could help you identify pathways for a career in digital health.

What’s the difference between a degree / certificate in health informatics and CHIA?

CHIA is Australia’s industry professional certification in health informatics. A professional certification means that by attaining CHIA you have achieved competency measured against a defensible set of standards set by the health informatics profession. A CHIA has competency across all 6 domains of health informatics (see the competency framework) and is measured by the successful passing of the CHIA examination.

A degree in health informatics results from undertaking an educational process and indicates successful completion of a course of study. An undergraduate or post graduate degree is a qualification that may provide the basis for further education qualifications.

A breakdown of the differences between a Certificate/Degree and a Professional Certification is in the below table, which has been lightly adapted from http://www.asha.org/CE/CEUs/Professional-Certification-vs-Certificate-Program/ CHIA is a “certification”. For “certificate” you can substitute Vocational or Higher Education or a Continuing Professional Learning and Development program.

What should I study to prepare for the examination?

On registration, candidates will be given a copy of the CHIA Student Handbook. Anything you could possibly want to know is in that handbook.

Candidates will also receive a CHIA Examination Study Guide. This guide provides a list of resources that address each of the 53 health informatics competencies tested. Candidates are advised to review Study Guide in conjunction with the Australian Health Informatics Competency Framework.

The study guide is intended as a basic guide to assist and support the candidate through the provision of supplementary information, and is not an exhaustive text. Reading references and resources are intended to give general knowledge on the competencies. To keep current in this dynamic area we encourage candidates to do further research and reading, and seek information beyond the scope of this list.

What system requirements do I need?

The platform is solely an online platform so a stable internet connection is required to access it. We advise you not to complete the examination on your tablet or mobile device and recommend you have no other programs running whilst completing the examination.

Candidates are recommended to use the Demonstration Examination to test their network and internet connection, prior to starting the examination.

It is also recommended that candidates do not use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) during their examination as it may cause network connection issues.

Are there courses I can take to help me study for the examination?

It isn’t necessary to enrol in a training course to pass the examination. All the reading materials you need are given to you when you register.

What is tested on the CHIA examination?

This examination covers 53 health informatics competencies over 6 domains of expertise. The Australian Health Informatics Competency Framework contains information on what is required to perform as a health informatics professional.

When can I sit the examination?

The examination is delivered online, so you can take it at your will. You may sit the examination at any time within 90 days of registering for the examination online at the CHIA website. Your examination expires at midnight Australian Eastern Time on the final day of your 90 days.

How do I sit the CHIA examination?

Register on the CHIA website and you will be sent the information to help you prepare for the examination and the instructions for how to login to sit the examination.

What is the pass mark for the certification examination?

The pass mark for the CHIA examination is set within a range of 50% and 65%, this is in accordance with contemporary assessment standards and the CHIA Program Quality framework. The rescaling of the pass mark is determined by the CHIA Examination Committee, informed by quarterly statistical reviews of each question’s degree of difficulty and how well each question discriminates between different cohorts undertaking the examination.

How long do I have to complete the examination?

You have a total of 150 minutes which equates to 2.5 hours. Once the examination clock reaches 2.5 hours, the examination will close and you will be locked out.

Is the examination open book?

The CHIA online examination takes 2.5 hours and you may consult your text book during this time. If you spend time referring to study material you will not be able to complete all of the examination questions in the allocated time.

What happens if I don’t pass the first time?

If you do not pass on the first attempt you can sit the examination a second time (with a different set of questions). We recommend not leaving it to the last minute to sit the examination. If you leave it too late you may not have time to study and re-sit the examination again.

What if my circumstances have changed and I don’t have the capacity to study?

If you are unable to continue to study due to changes in your circumstances, you may wish to apply for an extension to your study period if your ability to complete the examination in the allocated 90 days is negatively impacted by unforeseen and extenuating circumstances.

This can be done via an online extension form.

When will I find out if I passed the examination?

Once you press ‘Submit Exam’ your results will be displayed on the screen. You are provided with your score, a summary and an analysis of the examination. We recommend that you download a summary of your results. Once your 90 days have expired you will not be able to access the CHIA Examination Portal, but you will be able to access the CHIA Online Learning Hub which gives you a snapshot of your results.

What happens if I don’t pass within the 90 days?

There will not be any extensions after the 90-day period. If you do not pass the examination within 90 days you will have to register and pay the registration fee for an examination re-sit.

You will need to go through the application process again and your new application will be re-assessed by the Examination Committee. Assuming the Examination Committee re-approves your eligibility, you will again be invited to sit for the examination.

If you don’t attempt your first AND/ OR second attempt of the examination within the 90 days you will be deemed to have forfeited the examination.

Can I enrol in the CHIA Examination again, if I don’t pass the first two attempts?

Yes, you can enrol to re-sit of the CHIA Examination and there is no limit to the number of times you can do so.

If your last examination expiry date was no more than three months ago, you qualify for the discounted re-sit fee:
Non Members $320 inc GST | Australasian Institute of Digital Health Members $240 inc GST | click here to re-enrol

If more than three months has passed since you were enrolled in the CHIA examination, you do not qualify for the above discounted re-sit fee and the full CHIA rates will apply. To find out more about these options click here.

What if I have sat the CHIA exam before?

If you have registered and successfully enrolled in the CHIA examination before, you do not need to re-register. Please review the below options and choose the one that applies to you:

• If your last examination expiry date was no more than 3 months ago, you qualify for the discounted resit fee, which you can purchase here*
• If you do not qualify for the discounted resit fee and you are a full member of AIDH, you can pay your examination fee here*
• If you do not qualify for the discounted resit fee and you are not a member of AIDH, you can pay your examination fee here*

* Please note once we have received your payment, we will verify your details, reactivate your previous profile, and provide you with the login information for access to the examination.

If you are not sure about which of the above options applies to you, please contact us by email at [email protected] or call us on 03 9326 3311.

What if I think more than one of the multiple-choice responses are correct?

You must provide the most correct response. In some cases, more than one response will be partially correct.

When will I find out if I passed the examination?

Once you press ‘Submit Exam’ your results will be displayed on the screen. You are provided with your score, a summary and an analysis of the examination. We recommend that you download a summary of your results. Once your 90 days have expired you will not be able to access the CHIA Examination Portal, but you will be able to access the CHIA Online Learning Hub which gives you a snapshot of your results.

How much does it cost?

To sit the CHIA examination the fee is $495 for full financial members of AIDH*. For non-members the fee is $695.

*Applicable membership categories for AIDH – FAIDH, Individual, Organisational, Honorary

What is included in the exam registration?

You will be given access to the CHIA Examination portal which will include the following:

• a PDF copy of the CHIA Student Handbook – anything you could possibly want to know is in that handbook,
• a PDF copy of the CHIA Examination Study Guide – this guide provides a list of resources that address each of the 52 health informatics competencies tested,
• 2 attempts at the CHIA Examination – delivered online,
• access to a Demonstration Examination – unlimited attempts at the same 4 questions to get to know the examination system

Candidates can choose to select additional resources to purchase during the registration process, such as:

• the Practitioner’s Guide to Health Informatics – a separate textbook provided in PDF format to aid in their study,
• the CHIA Challenge, a 32 question practice examination, to aid in their preparation and understanding of how the questions are written

Both of these two resources are optional and more information is available on the registration page.

Can I get a discount for the examination?

Yes, if you are an AIDH* member you will be entitled to a discounted rate.

*Applicable membership categories for AIDH – FAIDH, Individual, Organisational, Honorary

How much does it cost?

To sit the CHIA examination the fee is $495 for full financial members of AIDH*. For non-members the fee is $695.

*Applicable membership categories for AIDH – FAIDH, Individual, Organisational, Honorary

What if I can’t remember my member login?

If you can’t remember your member login information email us and we can help locate your information for you.

Can my organisation pay my CHIA fees?

Absolutely, if they want to. Your organisation may fund you as a part of their commitment to continuing professional development of their staff. There are a number of direct benefits to employers for having CHIA on their staff.

Can I claim a tax deduction for CHIA when completing my tax return?

Individuals paying for CHIA themselves, just as with all self-education and professional development expenses, may be able to claim the CHIA registration fee as part of your annual tax return. Check with your accountant.

Can I get a refund on the registration fee?

The registration fee is not refundable. However, all examination candidates get two attempts at the examination within the 90 days, if unsuccessful at your first sitting.

If you do not pass either of your two attempts, you can enrol in a resit at a discounted rate, if applied for within 90 days from the end of your first enrolment.

How long will my CHIA qualifications last?

Health informatics is a dynamic field. Maintaining the currency of health informatics knowledge, skills and experience is as important as gaining it in the first place. Initial certification or renewal of certification is valid for a three (3) year period, re-certification is required to maintain the CHIA certification, after which it is either renewed or it lapses.
If your CHIA certification lapses, you can recertify by completing the CHIA examination again, contact us [email protected] to find out how.

What should I do with my CPD documentation?

You are NOT required to submit your full CPD documentation at the time of renewal. You are required to submit your CPD journal only and your accompanying fee. However, you must save your CPD records and associated evidence documentation in a safe place in the event you are contacted for an audit.

Can I use CPD points earned through organisations other than AIDH?

Yes. The CHIA Examination Committee will accept CPD points earned through other organisations provided they are valid CPD activities and are relevant to health informatics. Find out more information by reviewing the Recertification page.

Do CPD points carry over from one triennium to another?

No. You can only claim CPD points earned during your current three-year recertification cycle.

What if I do not have enough CPD points to renew and maintain my certification?

If you do not have the required CPD points by the end of your CPD period, you can choose to re-sit the CHIA Examination to make up for the shortfall in your CPD Journal, or you can request an extension of time to obtain the required CPD points, this opportunity is provided for extenuating unforeseen circumstances. You can find out more about extension requests here.

If you do not want to re-sit the CHIA Examination and cannot submit a complete CPD journal, your certification will be revoked. Once your certification is revoked, you are no longer certified and your certification can only be reinstated by re-taking and passing the CHIA Examination.

If you would like to know more about the options, please send an email to [email protected] with your query.