AHIMA Professional Development Inventory

Current / Goal
Unskilled / Novice / Master / Unskilled / Novice / Master
I. / Data Content, Structure and Standards (Information Governance)Academic content related to diagnostic and procedural classification and terminologies; health record documentation requirements; characteristics of the healthcare system; data accuracy and integrity; data integration and interoperability; response to customer data needs; data management policies and procedures; information Standards
a)Classification systems (Data Standards)
Terminologies, vocabularies, and classification systems including accurate use of ICD coding with and without electronic systems, data mapping, and DRG grouping
Associate:Evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic and procedural coding
Baccalaureate:Identify the functions and relationships between healthcare classification systems
Graduate:Construct examples of mapping of clinical vocabularies and terminologies to appropriate classification systems
b)Health record content and documentation
Timely, complete, and accurate documentation and record structures which meets documentation requirements including policies, regulations, and standards
Associate:Verify the documentation in the health record is timely, complete, and accurate
Baccalaureate:Interpret health information standards
Graduate:Examine required documentation and record structures
c)Data Governance
Standardization of data for interoperability and sharing including the use of data dictionaries, appropriate data formatting, and policies and procedures
Associate:Apply policies and procedures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of health data
Baccalaureate:Construct and maintain the standardization of data dictionaries to meet the needs of the enterprise
Graduate:Recommend data standard policies for interoperability and sharing
d)Data management
Presentation and collection of health data using health information systems, data storage, policies, organizational data use, and using graphical tools
Associate:Apply graphical tools for data presentations
Baccalaureate:Manage clinical indices/databases/registries
Graduate:Evaluate data from varying sources to create meaningful presentations
e)Secondary data sources
Validation and use of secondary data compile reliable and accurate data
Associate:Validate the reliability and accuracy of secondary data sources
Baccalaureate:Validate data from secondary sources to include in the patient’s record, including personal health records
Graduate:Compile data from secondary sources
II. / Information Protection: Access Disclosure, Archival, Privacy and SecurityUnderstand healthcare law (theory of all healthcare law to exclude application of law covered in Domain V); develop privacy, security, and confidentiality policies, procedures and infrastructure; educate staff on health information protection methods; risk assessment; access and disclosure management.
a)Health Law
Health law related to HIM practice including policies, laws, regulations and documents related to health care
Associate:Apply legal concepts and principles to the practice of HIM
Baccalaureate:Analyze legal concepts and principles to the practice of HIM
Graduate:Create regulatory policies based on health laws
b)Data privacy, confidentiality, and security
Privacy, confidentiality and security related to health information with use of policies and procedures for the information life cycle to include destruction, retention, standards, technologies, and education
Associate:Apply confidentiality, privacy and security measures and policies and procedures for internal and external use and exchange to protect electronic health information
Baccalaureate:Analyze the security and privacy implications of mobile health technologies
Graduate:Design a privacy and security infrastructure
c)Release of information
Confidentiality and security measures for access and disclosure of protected health information through the development and use of policies and procedures as well as access risk assessment and mitigation
Associate:Apply policies and procedures surrounding issues of access and disclosure of protected health information
Baccalaureate:Protect electronic health information through confidentiality and security measures, policies and procedures
Graduate:Mitigate access and disclosure risks
III. / Informatics, Analytics and Data UseCreation and use of business health intelligence; selection, implementation, use and management of technology solutions; system and data architecture; interface considerations; information management planning; data modeling; system testing; technology benefit realization; analytics and decision support; data visualization techniques; trend analysis; administrative reports; descriptive, inferential and advanced statistical protocols and analysis; IRB; research; patient- centered health information technologies; health information exchange; data quality
a)Health information technologies
Software, technology, device and network use for data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of information
Associate:Utilize software in the completion of HIM processes
Baccalaureate:Recommend device selection based on workflow, ergonomic and human factors
Graduate:Propose the implementation of health information systems
b)Information management strategic planning
Health information management systems to support enterprise wide decision support for strategic planning
Associate:Explain the process used in the selection and implementation of health information management systems
Baccalaureate:Take part in the development of information management plans that support the organization’s current and future strategy and goals
Graduate:Propose policy development and advocacy
c)Analytics and decision support
Analytics and decision support to facilitate decision-making, data extraction, quality and safety of healthcare, data analytics, and business intelligence
Associate:Apply report generation technologies to facilitate decision-making
Baccalaureate:Analyze clinical data to identify trends that demonstrate quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare
Graduate:Design data sources for intelligence extraction
d)Health Care statistics
Institutional healthcare statistics and inferential data statistics used for decision-making
Associate:Analyze data to identify trends
Baccalaureate:Analyze statistical data for decision making
Graduate:Interpret inferential statistics
e)Research methods
Principles of research and clinical literature evaluation to improve outcomes and development of an evidence based body of knowledge
Associate:Explain common research methodologies and why they are used in healthcare
Baccalaureate:Apply principles of research and clinical literature evaluation to improve outcomes
Graduate:Comply with research administrative processes and policies
f)Consumer informatics
Usability and accessibility of health information by patients including future challenges and education
Associate:Explain usability and accessibility of health information by patients, including current trends and future challenges
Baccalaureate:Educate consumers on patient-centered health information technologies
Graduate:Compare personalized medicine models
g)Health information exchange
Policies, procedures, and testing for various models of health information exchange
Associate:Explain current trends and future challenges in health information exchange
Baccalaureate:Conduct system testing to ensure data integrity and quality of health information exchange
Graduate:Develop policies for health information exchange (HIE)
h)Information integrity and data quality
Accuracy and integrity of health data through policies and procedures, assessing threats to data integrity, quality management tools and policy initiatives
Associate:Apply policies and procedures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of health data both internal and external to the health system
Baccalaureate:Discover threats to data integrity and validity
Graduate:Assess data integrity
IV. / Revenue ManagementHealthcare reimbursement; revenue cycle; chargemaster; DOES NOT INCLUDE COMPLIANCE regulations and activities related to revenue management (coding compliance initiatives, fraud and abuse, etc.) AS THESE ARE COVERED IN DOMAIN V.
a)Revenue Cycle and reimbursement
Revenue management through reimbursement, revenue cycle management, and impact analysis with application to operational planning models
Current / Goal
Unskilled / Novice / Master / Unskilled / Novice / Master
Associate:Evaluate the revenue cycle management processes
Baccalaureate:Implement processes for revenue cycle management and reporting
Graduate:Develop enterprise-wide strategic and operational planning models for revenue cycle management
V. / ComplianceCOMPLIANCE activities and methods for all health information topics. For example, how to comply with HIPAA, Stark Laws, Fraud and Abuse, etc.; coding auditing; severity of illness; data analytics; fraud surveillance; clinical documentation improvement.
a)Regulatory
Compliance with regulations and standards around data analytics, programs, polices, accreditation and certification
Associate:Collaborate with staff in preparing the organization for accreditation, licensure, and/or certification
Baccalaureate:Determine processes for compliance with current laws and standards related to health information initiatives and revenue cycle
Graduate:Analyze standards and regulations in healthcare and how they drive and/or constrain operations
b)Coding
Audit code assignment and practices to ensure compliance with, procedures, regulations, and guidelines
Associate:Analyze current regulations and established guidelines in clinical classification systems
Baccalaureate:Manage coding audits
Graduate:Analyze current regulations and established guidelines in clinical classification systems and computer assisted coding applications
c)Fraud Surveillance
Development and use of policies, procedures and tools to monitor, detect, and deter fraudulent practices.
Associate:Identify potential abuse or fraudulent trends through data analysis
Baccalaureate:Determine policies and procedures to monitor abuse or fraudulent trends
Graduate:Develop forensic models for fraud surveillance and improvement measures
d)Clinical Documentation improvement
Use of querying and CDI components to manage documentation, data and to resolve coding discrepancies
Associate:Develop appropriate physician queries to resolve data and coding discrepancies
Baccalaureate:Implement provider querying techniques to resolve coding discrepancies
Graduate:Formulate enterprise-wide CDI strategic and operational methods
VI. / LeadershipLeadership models, theories, and skills; critical thinking; change management; workflow analysis, design, tools and techniques; human resource management; training and development theory and process; strategic planning; financial management; ethics and project management
a)Leadership roles
Team leadership through meeting organization, negotiating and influencing skills, use of leadership theories and principles, project and business reports, personnel management, involvement in enterprise wide committees, building teams, creating public policy, executive decision making, building business alliances, networks and partnerships
Associate:Apply the fundamentals of team leadership
Baccalaureate:Discover personal leadership style using contemporary leadership theory and principles
Graduate:Build and maintain strategic business alliances, networks, and partnerships
b)Change management
Concepts of change management theories, techniques, leadership and the impact of change management on processes, people, and systems
Associate:Recognize the impact of change management on processes, people and systems
Baccalaureate:Interpret concepts of change management theories, techniques and leadership
Graduate:Master concepts of change management theories
c)Work design and process improvement
Cost-saving and efficient use of tools and techniques to monitor, report and improve data for quality management and performance improvement
Associate:Utilize tools and techniques to monitor, report, and improve processes
Baccalaureate:Demonstrate workflow concepts
Graduate:Design process improvement research methods and models
d)Human resources management
Staff recruitment, retention, supervision and productivity through benchmarking, orientation, training, policy and procedures, and compliance with regulations
Associate:Interpret compliance with local, state, federal labor regulations
Baccalaureate:Benchmark staff performance data incorporating labor analytics
Graduate:Leverage human capital
e)Training and development
Training and development through training programs, media, presentations, assessments and lesson plans throughout the enterprise
Associate:Explain the methodology of training and development
Baccalaureate:Evaluate initial and on-going training programs
Graduate:Develop enterprise-wide training and development research models and methods
f)Strategic and organizational management
Interrelationships within the healthcare delivery system through data use, healthcare policy making, accreditation, licensing, certification, strategic planning, administrative duties, and engaging stakeholders
Associate:Apply information and data strategies in support of information governance initiatives
Baccalaureate:Collaborate in the development and implementation of information governance initiatives
Graduate:Engage key stakeholders in information governance initiatives
g)Financial management
Financial management through budgets, use of accounting principles, variances, cost benefit analysis, procurement process and information assets
Associate:Plan budgets
Baccalaureate:Perform cost-benefit analysis for resource planning and allocation
Graduate:Govern information assets
h)Ethics
Ethical standards of practice, creating a culture of diversity, business culture, understanding and using research models, training and compliance programs
Associate:Comply with ethical standards of practice
Baccalaureate:Comply with ethical standards of practice
Graduate:Assess how cultural issues affect health, healthcare quality, cost, and HIM
i)Project management
Project management tools and techniques, system selection process, service applications, integrating work efforts, use of research skills and collaborative alliances and partnerships
Associate:Summarize project management methodologies
Baccalaureate:Apply project management techniques to ensure efficient workflow and appropriate outcomes
Graduate:Assess project management tools
j)Vendor/contract management
Vendor contracts, negotiation skills, and research models for vendor solutions
Associate:Explain Vendor/Contract Management
Baccalaureate:Develop negotiation skills in the process of system selection
Graduate:Master critical negotiation skills
k)Enterprise information management
Enterprise information management, database architecture, mission-critical business decisions, business intelligence, business plans, strategic forecasts and operational plans
Associate:Apply knowledge of database architecture and design
Baccalaureate:Manage information as a key strategic resource and mission tool
Graduate:Integrate business intelligence using appropriate analytic tools and methods

DOMAIN I: Data Content, Structure and Standards (Information Governance)

AHIMA References

AHIMA.“Top Ten ICD-10-CM/PCS Questions.” July 2014.

AHIMA Advocacy and Policy Team. "High Time for Information Governance, Standards, and Streamlined Certification" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.7 (July 2014): 18-20.

AHIMA. "Things Overheard at the ICD-10 Summit" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.6 (June 2014): 82-83.

AHIMA. “Information Governance Annotated Bibliography.” April 2014.

AHIMA.“Healthcare Industry Stakeholders Letter to CMS Administrator Tavenner Concerning the Delay in Implementing ICD-10-CM/PCS.”AHIMA testimony/comments. April 2014.

AHIMA.“Survey of Participants at AHIMA’s 2014 ICD-10 Summit Concerning the ICD-10 Implementation Delay.” April 2014.

AHIMA Advocacy and Policy Team. "Modifications to ICD-10-CM/PCS Under Review" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.2 (February 2014): 18-20.

AHIMA.“CSA ICD-10-CM Resource Guide.” April 2013.

AHIMA.“Putting the ICD-10-CM/PCS GEMs into Practice.” AHIMA Practice Brief, May 2013.

AHIMA. “Universal Use of ICD-10-CM/PCS in the US.” October 2013.

AHIMA Advocacy and Policy Team. “ICD Timeline.” May 2014.

AHIMA. "E- Discovery Litigation and Regulatory Investigation Response Planning: Crucial Components of Your Organization’s Information and Data Governance Processes."Journal of AHIMA 84, no.11 (November–December 2013): expanded web version.

ARMA International. “ARMA International’s Information Governance Maturity Model.” January 2013.

Barnhouse, Torrey; Rudman, William J. "YOU ARE HERE—ICD-10-CM/PCS Status Check: Three Hundred HIM Professionals Report" Journal of AHIMA 84, no.6 (June 2013): 38-40.

Barta, Ann. "2014 ICD-10-CM/PCS Updates" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.1 (January 2014): 64-67.

Barta, Ann. "Coding ICD-10-PCS Medical and Surgical-Related Sections: Understanding Measurement and Monitoring, Extracorporeal Assistance and Performance, and Extracorporeal Therapies" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.5 (May 2014): 68-71.

Barta, Ann. "Coding ICD-10-PCS Medical and Surgical-Related Sections: Understanding Obstetrics, Placement, And Administration" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.4 (April 2014): 62-65.

Barta, Ann. "Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Change, Replacement, and Revision" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.2 (February 2014): 64-66.

Barta, Ann. "Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Detachment, Destruction, and Extraction" Journal of AHIMA 84, no.5 (May 2013): 60-62.

Bielby, Judy A.; Comfort, Angie; Wiedemann, Lou Ann. "Clinical Documentation Guidance for ICD-10-CM/PCS" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.7 (July 2014): 52-55.

Bloomrosen, Meryl. “AHIMA Testimony on a Successful ICD-10 Transition.”AHIMA testimony/comments. February 2014.

Bowman, Sue. “AHIMA Comments on Proposed Diagnosis Code Modifications Presented at March 2014 ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting.” AHIMA testimony/comments. June 2014.

Bowman, Sue. “AHIMA Comments on Proposed Procedure Code Modifications Presented at the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting Held March 2014.” AHIMA testimony/comments. April 2014.

Bowman, Sue E. "3 Myths of ICD-10-CM/PCS: Addressing Why it is Not Feasible to use SNOMED CT in Place of ICD-10 or Wait for ICD-11—and Other Misperceptions" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.8 (August 2014): 40-44.

Bowman, Sue and Zeisset, Ann. “ICD-10-CM/PCS Transition: Planning and Preparation Checklist.” May 2014.

Bronnert, June; Daube, Julie L; Jopp, Gretchen; Peterson, Kathleen; Rihanek, Theresa; Scichilone, Rita A.; Tucker, Vanna. "Optimizing Data Representation Through the Use of SNOMED CT" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.3 (March 2014): 48-50.

Butler, Mary. "Not So Fast! Congress Delays ICD-10-CM/PCS: Examining How the Delay Happened, Its Industry Impact, and How Best to Proceed" Journal of AHIMA 85, no.6 (June 2014): 24-28.

Butler, Mary. "Keeping Information Clean: New Information Governance Efforts Challenge HIM to Sort Out Dirty Data" Journal of AHIMA 84, no.11 (November 2013): 28-31.

Clark, Jill S. "Adapting Enterprise Workflow for ICD-10-CM/PCS" Journal of AHIMA 84, no.6 (June 2013): 48-51.

Comfort, Angie. "Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS- Understanding Restriction Occlusion and Dilation" Journal of AHIMA 84, no.10 (October 2013): 78-80.

DeVault, Kathryn. "Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Drainage, Extirpation, and Fragmentation" Journal of AHIMA 84, no.6 (June 2013): 66-68.

DeVault, Kathryn. "Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Bypass, Inspection, and Map" Journal of AHIMA 84, no.11 (November 2013): 74-76.