Achieving the Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS®) Certification

I’m excited to share that I recently earned the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS®) certification from HIMSS. As Director of Support and Tech Ops at ETHERFAX, this certification not only represents a significant milestone in my career but also strengthens ETHERFAX’s commitment to advancing healthcare technology and improving patient care through innovative solutions.

The CPHIMS® certification is widely recognized as a benchmark for healthcare IT professionals who aim to demonstrate their expertise in healthcare information and management systems. It validates a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare environment, IT infrastructure, and management systems-all of which are crucial for driving meaningful change in the industry. The certification covers key areas such as healthcare regulations, information management, and the latest technological innovations, enabling certified professionals to more effectively solve the complex challenges that organizations face.

My Journey to CPHIMS® Certification

Achieving this certification was a rigorous process and required dedication to mastering a wide range of topics critical to healthcare IT. The CPHIMS® exam covers three major areas: healthcare and technology environments, systems management, and administration. Preparing for the exam meant diving deep into subjects that are essential for navigating the real-world challenges as a healthcare IT professional, including topics on the healthcare regulatory environment, quality and safety initiatives, data management, project management, and strategic planning.

While the preparation was intense, it was also incredibly rewarding. The process allowed me to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications, drawing from my experiences at ETHERFAX and in previous roles. I gained new insights around interoperability with electronic health records (EHR) and healthcare information technology (HIT), data security measures, and healthcare policy, all of which are increasingly important as the industry shifts toward value-based care models and data-driven decision-making.

The Future of Healthcare Information Management

At ETHERFAX, our mission is to enable healthcare organizations to securely exchange critical patient information and other high-resolution documents. As the industry continues to evolve, healthcare facilities are increasingly looking for technology partners that can help them meet regulatory requirements, optimize workflows, and enhance patient outcomes. Achieving the CPHIMS® certification strengthens my ability to support these initiatives by providing a deeper understanding of the unique demands of healthcare IT and the strategic approaches needed to solve pressing challenges.

The CPHIMS® certification also serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have as healthcare IT professionals to continually learn, adapt, and innovate. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and staying current with the latest advancements and best practices is essential to providing the best possible support to our customers.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Here’s to the future of healthcare technology and the innovations that lie ahead! Together, we will continue making strides toward more efficient, higher-value care for patients.

Ryan Collins

As Director of Support and Tech Ops at ETHERFAX, Ryan Collins plays a crucial role in managing the company’s day-to-day technical operations and oversees the entire infrastructure. His responsibilities include overseeing the support team, telecom operations, network, and data center operations. Additionally, he is integral to the technical onboarding of new partners and ISVs. His expertise extends to security and audit operations, where he holds a CISSP certification from ISC2, underscoring and helping to define and implement ETHERFAX’s commitment to robust security standards. With over over 10 years at ETHERFAX, Ryan previously served as a Product Specialist at GFI Software, collaborating with engineering and product management teams to resolve critical product issues and enhance future releases. He is an alumnus of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University.

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