HIMSS Professional Development Career Services is all encompassing – in support of securing the necessary tools and skills for career growth and expansion.  Enter CPHIMS certification.  CPHIMS is a professional certification program for healthcare information and management systems professionals and only offered at HIMSS.  It is a mechanism to validate skill, knowledge and abilities. Additionally, it:  distinguishes a person as certified in healthcare information and management systems; expands career opportunities; validates healthcare information and management systems knowledge, competency and credibility; provides necessary skills and tools to help accentuate a career; demonstrates commitment to continuing professional development and supports the ability to hold a premier credential, based on a sound assessment to distinguish one in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

This year is the 10th Anniversary of this prestigious HIMSS certification and it will be acknowledged as such at the Annual Conference being held in Las Vega in the next few weeks.  Two avenues exist at the HIMSS Annual Conference to support this certification.  The first is the CPHIMS Review Course which is new for HIMSS12 and is a 1/2 day review course.  Two courses will be offered:  Monday, February 20th from 8 AM - 12 PM or 1 PM - 5 PM.  This is an opportunity to test your knowledge before taking the CPHIMS exam. The course features lecture, discussion, a practice test, and the most current study materials available.  Many times, you can discover areas where you can focus on for additional study efforts.  You also have the opportunity to interact with expert instructors who have earned the CPHIMS designation during this course.  Of course attendance at this course does not guarantee that a candidate will pass the examination. However, it provides an excellent opportunity to prepare for the exam by interacting with others who are preparing as well.

Secondly, there will be opportunity to actually sit for the CPHIMS exam.   The CPHIMS Exam will be offered in five sessions, once on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and twice on both Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Thursday, Feb. 23; candidates must pre-register for the CPHIMS Exam by Tuesday, Feb. 7, through the HIMSS12 registration. Each session is limited to 30 candidates; exam sessions are filled on a first-in/first-confirmed basis.

Additional information on CPHIMS is available at www.cphims.org or by e-mailing certification@himss.org.
Individuals interested in taking the CPHIMS Exam in 2012 can stop by HIMSS Central, located in Halls A-C Lobby, to learn more about the exam and becoming certified, as well as purchase CPHIMS study materials at the on-site bookstore.

And remember...Be passionate about your career path and strive to make a difference and learn, learn...learn.  Technology is only the enabler; individuals will be the “transformers” of health IT in the years to come!

Helen Figge is Senior Director of Career Services at HIMSS.