What Is a Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)?

Key Information:

The CHDA certification, offered by AHIMA, validates advanced expertise in healthcare data analysis, management, and reporting.
To earn CHDA credentials, candidates must meet specific education or experience requirements and pass a rigorous exam with a low pass rate.
CHDA-certified professionals are in high demand and can pursue roles in hospitals, public health, insurance, and health tech, with average salaries ranging from $70K to $100K.
Maintaining CHDA certification requires continuing education, ethical data practices, and staying current with industry trends and tools.

We live in a data-driven age where data analytics play crucial roles in healthcare. The wide range of uses of data analytics in healthcare include:

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Identifying at-risk patients and patients who may need specialized care
Ensuring effective and efficient day-to-day operations in healthcare facilities
Improving patient services and outcomes

So, do you want to be part of the data analytics revolution in healthcare? If yes, consider becoming a Certified Health Data Analyst. As a CHDA, you’ll analyze and transform healthcare-related abstract data into practical information. You’ll use data analytics tools to enable healthcare leaders to make data-driven decisions.

Why should you pursue the CHDA certification? Think of it as your competitive edge in data analytics. The CHDA certification validates your expertise in data governance, analytics, and reporting. You’ll find that it reinforces your credibility and opens career advancement opportunities.

Read on if you want to know more about becoming a Certified Health Data Analyst. We’ll cover what a CHDA is and how to get certified. You’ll also know about the best career paths and salary expectations.

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What Is a Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)?

The first question we must ask is, “What is CHDA certification? The American Health Information Management Association is the group that awards the CHDA credential. AHIMA is a national credential for health information professionals who want to:

Showcase their mastery of data management, analysis, and reporting in the healthcare industry
Highlight their expertise in the ethical and regulatory frameworks of healthcare data analytics

Once you become a Certified Health Data Analyst, your primary roles include:

Analyzing clinical and operational data
Supporting decision-making through data insights
Ensuring the integrity, quality, and compliance of data

In short, you’ll transform raw data into actionable insights and recommendations. Your role combines data analytics and strategy (i.e., hard skills). Soft skills, including strong communication and critical thinking skills, are also a must.

There’s a high demand for CHDA-certified professionals, too. You’ll find well-paying jobs in organizations like:

Hospitals and health systems
Public health agencies
Health insurance companies
Health information technology and consulting firms
Universities and research institutions

Indeed, becoming a CHDA-certified professional has its rewards.

CHDA Certification Requirements

But the journey has its challenges, too, starting with the CHDA exam requirements. You must meet any or all these eligibility criteria:

A bachelor’s degree and at least three years of relevant healthcare data experience
A master’s in health information management (or a related field)
A current Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification with relevant experience

You must also complete the health data analyst certification application process:

Register through the AHIMA official website. Applications must be submitted online. You must create an account and select the CHDA exam. Check for the accuracy and completeness of your information.
Pay the exam fee. AHIMA members pay $259, while non-members pay $329. You must pay the fee at the time of registration.
Submit documentation to verify your eligibility. Transcripts and employment verification forms are common.
Wait for your Authorization to Test (ATT) issued by AHIMA within five business days.
Schedule your examination within 120 days of registration. Exams are conducted at Pearson VUE testing centers.

The registration-to-certification process to become a CHDA certified professional can take 2-3 months.

CHDA Exam Overview

The last step in how to become a health data analyst is to pass the CHDA exam. You must engage in rigorous review if you want to pass it on your first try. According to AHIMA, the pass rate for first-time takers is only 10% (2019).

Your success will depend on many factors, too, including your content knowledge. Be sure to adopt effective study habits and develop efficient exam-taking strategies.

Start by understanding the exam’s structure. The 3-hour CHDA certification exam consists of 150 questions. You have about a minute for each question.

There are three domains covered – Data Management, Data Analysis, and Data Reporting. Within these domains are the core exam topics, including:

Data governance and quality
Statistical analysis and data interpretation
Healthcare analytics tools and technologies

Keep these CHDA exam preparation tips in mind.

Use AHIMA’s study guide.
Practice with sample questions.
Enroll in review courses or bootcamps.

You must earn a scaled score of at least 300 (on a scale of 100-400) to pass the exam.

Benefits of Becoming a CHDA-Certified Professional

Once you’ve earned the AHIMA CHDA certification, you’ll enjoy these benefits.

Enhanced credibility and marketability in the healthcare field
Open opportunities to advanced positions in health informatics and analytics
Increase in salary potential
Keeps you updated on healthcare data regulations and analytics trends
Leads to leadership roles in health information management

Of course, the CHDA certification is only a tool. As such, it’s your responsibility to leverage it to your advantage by:

Highlighting it on your resume, social media accounts, and LinkedIn profile
Contributing to the data-driven decision-making process in your organization
Publishing and presenting case studies that demonstrate your expertise
Mentoring up-and-coming CHDAs
Being active in the industry through conferences, seminars, and workshops

Otherwise, it is only an expensive piece of paper.

CHDA vs. Other Health Data Certifications

While being a CHDA has its rewards, you may want to consider other health data certifications. Here’s a table of comparison you can use for reference:

Certification	Focus	Audience	Role Type
Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)	Advanced healthcare data management, analytics, interpretation, and reporting	Data analysts, health information professionals, and informaticians	Technical and analytical with emphasis on data extraction, interpretation, and visualization
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)	Patient safety, risk management, quality improvement, and performance measurement	Compliance officers, quality professionals, and clinical improvement teams	Policy-making and strategic planning
Certified Health Informatics Systems Professional (CHISP)	Health information technology systems, electronic health records, and interoperability	Information technology professionals and health tech project managers	Technical roles with a focus on the creation and management of health data infrastructure
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)	Health information compliance and governance	Health information managers and directors	Emphasis on regulatory and administrative functions

Here are the key differences between CHDA vs. CPHQ, CHISP, and RHIA:

CPHQ emphasizes the use of data for quality and process improvement. CHDA uses data for deep analytics purposes.
CHISP oversees the systems that transmit and store data. CHDA analyzes and interprets the data.
RHIA manages information systems and ensures their regulatory compliance. CHDA involves in-depth data analysis.

CHDA is the best certification if you are:

Interested in transforming raw data into practical insights
Involved in data analysis, interpretation, and visualization
Comfortable with SQL, Python/R, or Tableau and their applications in real-world issues

Suffice it to say that earning the CHDA certification isn’t only about prestige. You must also have a passion for data analytics as a tool to solve real-world healthcare issues.

Career Paths and Salary Outlook

With the CHDA certification, you can establish a successful healthcare data analyst career. You may also pursue other careers as a:

Clinical Data Analyst
Health Informatics Specialist
Data Quality Manager
Population Health Analyst
Healthcare Business Intelligence Analyst

Again, you’ll find challenging yet rewarding jobs in diverse places. Look for them in hospitals, health systems, insurance providers, and public health agencies.

The CHDA certification salary expectations vary from $70,000 to $100,000 per year, on average. Your actual pay will depend on your position, experience, and location.

But one thing’s for sure – there’s a strong demand for data-driven decision-makers in healthcare.

Continuing Education and Certification Renewal

Being a Certified Health Data Analyst doesn’t end with initial certification. You must meet certification renewal requirements if you want to maintain it. The initial CHDA certification is valid for 2 years only.

If you want to renew it, you must complete these requirements.

Earn a minimum of 30 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. College coursework, professional conferences, workshops, and webinars are excellent sources.
Submit proof of CEU completion to AHIMA.
Pay the renewal fee of $218 for members and $298 for non-members.
Be updated with industry trends and changes.

Tips for Succeeding as a CHDA

Did you know that there are 356 Certified Health Data Analysts in the US (2024)? You’ll want to succeed as a CHDA because it will bring more credibility and prestige.

Strengthen your skills in SQL, data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI), and healthcare data systems
Collaborate with clinical and administrative teams
Stay updated with AHIMA webinars, journals, and conferences
Practice ethical data use and comply with HIPAA and other regulations

Conclusion

Being a CHDA-certified professional will bring excellent value into your life. Your credibility as an expert health data analyst gets a boost. In turn, you’ll enjoy better career advancement opportunities and higher salaries.

But it doesn’t come without its challenges either. You must meet stringent eligibility requirements and pass the CHDA exam. Then, you must maintain the CHDA certification through continuing education.

Once you’re a CHDA-certified professional, you’ll find a high demand for your expertise in health informatics and analytics. So, check out AHIMA-trusted programs to start your CHDA certification journey.