What the Course Entails and Exam Details

This examination covers a broad range of critical data-related competencies within the healthcare sector. The core topics, which align with AHIMA’s latest domain content outline, include:

• Business Needs Assessment: Identifying stakeholders, facilitating problem identification, and translating business requirements into technical specifications.
• Data Acquisition: Sourcing data, developing data collection techniques, and managing data extraction and transformation processes.
• Data Management and Governance: Implementing policies for data access, integrity, and security, and ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory standards like HIPAA.
• Data Analysis: Applying statistical methodologies, querying data, and identifying trends and patterns.
• Data Interpretation and Reporting: Presenting data visualisations, creating dashboards, and effectively communicating findings and recommendations to key stakeholders.

Candidates are recommended to have significant healthcare data experience before attempting the exam, typically including a minimum of three years of experience in data acquisition, management, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The final Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) examination is a rigorous computer-based test designed to validate your proficiency. Candidates should expect the following format:

• Format: The exam consists of approximately 154 multiple-choice questions. It includes 130 scored items and 24 unscored pretest items used for statistical purposes.
• Time Limit: You will be given a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam. There are no scheduled breaks, and any time taken will count against your testing time.
• Passing Score: The CHDA exam uses a scaled scoring system. While the raw passing score can vary, the scaled passing score is consistently set at 300 out of a range of 100 to 400.
• Rules: The exam is proctored, and specific rules apply regarding permissible items, identification, and conduct, details of which are provided in the AHIMA Candidate Guide.

 How to Study and Exam Centers

Preparation is paramount for success on the CHDA exam. A strategic approach involves:

• Reviewing the Official Outline: Thoroughly study the AHIMA CHDA Exam Content Outline to understand the weighting of each domain and focus your efforts.
• Utilizing AHIMA Resources: Employ AHIMA’s official exam preparation materials, including practice questions and recommended textbooks.
• Creating a Study Schedule: Allocate structured time to each domain, focusing on areas where you have less experience.
• Taking Practice Exams: Use simulated practice exams to get accustomed to the question format and manage your time effectively.

The exam is administered globally by Pearson VUE, AHIMA's testing partner. You can take the exam at a physical Pearson VUE authorized testing center. Additionally, for candidates in the United States, the CHDA exam is available online with OnVUE, allowing you to test from the comfort of your home. You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from Pearson VUE after your application with AHIMA is approved, which is your key to scheduling your appointment

Job Opportunities from the Cours

arning the CHDA credential can significantly enhance your career trajectory, unlocking a variety of specialized roles. This certification demonstrates your expertise to potential employers and can lead to positions such as:

• Health Data Analyst
• Clinical Data Analyst
• Revenue Cycle Data Manager
• Population Health Analyst
• Quality Improvement Analyst
• Data Architect
• Healthcare Informatics Specialist
• Director of Health Information Systems
• Trauma Registrar
• Health Information Management (HIM) Consultant