As I have chronicled in my previous blogs, it’s been an interesting journey these past 5-6 years I’ve been successfully and gainfully engaged as an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) professional. The adoption of EMRs / EHRs is a top healthcare facility priority and on the national forefront thanks in large part to the National Healthcare Reform bill that was passed this year by our Government and also last year’s adoption of the ARRA. So many more people are seeking information about this evolving healthcare industry. I feel so fortunate I learned about EMRs about 10 years ago. At that time I was the lead Microsoft Instructor for a major university hospital – training all of the Clinical and professional staff in utilizing MS Office. My colleagues in this hospital training department were tasked with providing instruction on this interesting little ‘pilot’, a clinical software application for this hospital’s outpatient/ambulatory clinics. My entire professional career…I’ve always been very inquisitive and seeking information about what is most current on the cutting edge of technology or what’s new…and then I want to learn about it and so again, I followed my professional instinct and learned everything I could about EMRs. And now 10 years later I have garnered three EMR Certifications from one of the top EMR vendors – Epic® Systems Corporation. Epic® has a large market share of the hospitals and clinics who have implemented EMRs by converting their paper medical charts to digitized systems, based on specific clinical workflows.
Some of the top questions people now ask me include: How do you get EMR certified? How do you get hired for EMR / EHR implementations? What types of healthcare IT jobs are available? How do you get qualified for hire? (or at least an interview). My first answer to these pressing questions is, earning a EMR Certification is just the beginning of your EMR / EHR journey. To be fully marketable in this field, getting certified is an exciting first step, but it also requires an opportunity to directly apply what you learned in the classroom to the “real life ” clinical community. Different EMR / EHR vendors have various training programs and/or certification requirements.
Following is my successful 10 year journey of how I got EMR Certified and just as important, EMR Experienced (summarized version):
| 2001 – 2003 | Hired/worked as Lead Microsoft Office instructor in the Training department of a large University level Healthcare facility. Also began observing a new EMR system (EpicCare®), being piloted at several outpatient/ambulatory clinics associated with this healthcare facility. |
| 2004 | Transitioned from the Training department, to the ‘EMR’ implementation department at this same University level Healthcare facility. I was then sent out to Epic® Systems training facility in Madison, Wisconsin. Received intensive 3-day training consisting of 3 training companions about their outpatient/ambulatory EMR system (EpicCare®). Post Epic Systems training received access to their online system and for about 6-months did the required self-study and project assignments completions (also completing various “real life” clinical EMR implementation work assignments). |
| 2005 | Received my first Epic EMR Certification – EpicCare Ambulatory, by successfully completing mandatory 2-hour exams for each of the 3 study companions. Received my official certification notification and document from Epic Systems. |
| 2005 – 2006 | Worked with other certified EpicCare Analysts, by completing all the tasks related to EMR implementation for Internal Medicine Practices. |
| 2007 | Was recruited to become a traveling EpicCare EMR Implementation Consultant. Continued with EMR implementation assignments for outpatient/ambulatory healthcare facilities on the West Coast, Mid-west, and the East Coast. |
| 2008 | Was recruited to be part of an Inpatient (or acute care) EMR implementation for a large pediatric hospital facility. I was sent out (twice) to Epic® Systems grand new and improved training facility now located in Verona Wisconsin. Each visit I received intensive 3-day training consisting of 3 training companions about their Inpatient EMR system to learn Clinical Documentation and Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Post Epic Systems training received access to their online system for self-study and project assignments completions.Received my second and third Epic® EMR Inpatient application Certifications; Clinical Document and CPOE. I successfully completed the mandatory 2-hour exams for each application. Received my official certification notification and document from Epic Systems. |
| 2008 – 2010 | Continued working with Full-time EMR professionals and other certified Epic EMR consultants, by completing tasks related to EMR implementation for Hospitals and Clinics nationally. |
I hope this summarized version of my EMR Certification process (and my ten year journey to get the experience required to be marketable and do good work) is helpful to your quest.
If you are also EMR certified, please reply to this blog with your particular experience…perhaps you have another EMR Vendor certification, please share your process and/or experience.
If you are seeking EMR certification, let me know if this blog has been helpful!
Update: I am proud to announce that since this post was originally written in 2010, I have founded an online school – Healthcare Information Technology Workforce – School of New Jersey. Visit us today and learn how we conduct our nationally recognized government-sponsored Health IT curriculum online, preparing students for the Health IT Workforce Competency Examination Program (HIT Pro™). Graduates of Healthcare IT School of New Jersey programs receive a Certificate of Achievement and are provided with their in-demand job placement assistance.
This is not helpful for the everyday it professional looking to get in healthcare IT. People should be checking their local state IT technologies agencies that are receiving funding by the stimulus to attend their local colleges or apply to a healthcare organization that may offer job training that offers certification. I am a director with 12 years experience and worked on the EMR vendors . Check also http://www.healthitcertiification.com. They have professional certification in Electronic Medical Records and Health Information Exchange and Healthcare IT. This is what i am doing obtaining all three certifications. Epic and Eclipsys 5.0 require vendor certification or through their partner consulting partners.
Are there any schools that offer EMR certifications? I am very interested in becoming EMR certified. I currently work in the IT world of applications with a specialty in HR and would like to get into the healthcare industry.
How do I get certified in Epic EMR. Their website doesn’t list anything
Lori…about 10 years ago I was that everyday IT professional looking to further my healthcare IT career …and this was the successful route I took (and many other professionals like myself). I got Epic Certified by first being employed as a fulltime hospital employee and sent out to get vendor certification training …this is how about 99% of the healthcare professionals I know got and are still getting thier Epic certifications…then after years of EMR implementations experience, many venture out to the consulting world. Your suggestions offer additional options jthat are ust begining to happen. There was no stimulus program 10 years or even 3 years ago. Many large Hospitals facilities nationwide began to convert thier paper medical records charts over 15 years ago. Now it’s great our government is assisting other facilites in thier paper chart conversions… and providing these new training opportinites at some local colleges. Therefore I maintain that my experience shared in this blog, as well as your suggestions provide a couple avenues for everyday professionals to know about. Glad you have shared your experienc and information as well. Thanks!
Jenny,
Lori’s suggestions for IT Healthcare training now being offered by many local colleges is worth looking into. Check and see if your local college is planning to offer this training. Also check around your area Hospital and Clinic facilities and see if they are utlizing any EMR (or have plans to begin an EMR conversion). If so, follow my experience and apply for such a position with a facility that plans to send staff out to get vendor certification training. Please keep us informed of your next steps regarding following any of this advice posted here by both Lori, myself and/or what you discover on your own. Please stay in touch! Thanks!
Gary, here is my website regarding EMR training:
http://www.healthcareinformationtechnologyschool.com/
Hey Guys
We are looking for a Certified EPIC permanent employee in Dallas, TX. Is there a website that you would recommend that we could post the job on?
Hi Cathy!
Thanks for posting a comment on Healthcare IT Today, which is the official blogging channel for Healthcare IT Central – the very best place to post your job!
When you post a job with us it is automatically is featured on:
Healthcare IT Central
Healthcare IT Today
Healthcare Informatics magazine’s Career Center
FierceHealthIT
HealthTechnica
ASHIM.org
SimplyHired
Indeed
Twitter
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As you can see, our reach is broad but highly targeted – we attract precisely the type of candidates you seek. Posting jobs is very simple and our rates are extremely competitive – just register here and post:
http://healthcareitcentral.com/employers/register.cfm
Feel free to contact me for further information~
Warm regards,
G.
Gwen Darling
CEO, Healthcare IT Central
Founder/Editor, Healthcare IT Today
Blogger – Healthcare Informatics and Hospital Impact
479.387.4649
Hi Shirley,
I went through multiple Epic training classes a few years back as well while working for a university. I have been working with Epic Clarity data model ever since. I never thought about getting the actual certification.
I would like to go into the world of consulting and I was wondering how much does the client focus on the having a certification vs the actual knowledge?
My EMR vendor certification and experience is with Epic Systems, Corp (6) years, 3 Certifications; EpicCare Ambulatory, Inpatient Clinical Documentation and CPOE. Regarding this particular EMR and the Hospitals/Clinics that implement it…the client relies heavily on thier FTE staff becoming vendor certified and they usally hire consultant’s already certified (with a few years of experience, as well). The FTE staff hired, they usually send them out (at the client’s expense) for vendor training and certification. With you background of Epic Clarity experience…sounds like you would be a great candidate for a Hospital Client to send you out for vendor Certification. Are you an FTE for you current employer? If so, Have you sought certification training with this employer?
Hi Shirley,
Yes. I am a FTE staff for a hospital client. I went through the actual classes but I just didn’t sign up to take the exam (which I am eligible since I took the class).
Recently I went back and passed the Clarity certification exam for Inpatient. While I am qualified to take other exams such as outpatient, Rx, Optime as well (I took the training class), I wondering whether it is worth the trouble of getting the certification if my eventual goal is becoming a consultant.
Yes, Yes, Yes! As a FTE you want to be qualified and get as EMR vendor certifications you have interest in.
Please know that if your goal is to eventually become a consultant…as a consultant it is expected that you are certified (and with hands-on experience with EMR implementations under your belt). Also, as a consultant…most consulting firms do not have as much interest in spending money on getting you certified…they seek consultant who are already certified. This is one of the reasons that certified EMR consultant’s garner a hire hourly rate/salary then FTE’s. While FTE’s have the advantage of job security and stability…so the EMR industry provides many avenues to pursue by letting individuals to decide which way they want to travel. I’ve been both an EMR FTE and currently as a traveling EMR Consultant.
Shirley,
I am a long time OR nurse cerified in Epic OpTime x 3 years. I just retired from my hospital employer after 25 years. My plan is to consult. Having been “out there”, can you recommend any other Epic application to make myself even more marketable?
Maryanna,
Epic’s Clinical Documentation may be of interest to you. Consulting agencies and hospital and clinic employers are always seeking nurses with this particular certification, due to the fact it’s the area in the EMR that covers how one documents the patient’s; vitals, meds, allergies, notes, procedure orders, etc…all the items regarding the patient’s care that was previously completed on paper!
Regards,
Shirley
http://www.hcitschool.com
I have seven years using Cerner, CPOE and a MSIS in Information Science. I documented two EHRs 13 years ago. I have ten years IT experience. I have applied for many Cerner and EPIC position but I do not get any replies unless they are to ask if I have build experience. I think it is totally a crap-shoot on this. Certification is great but it is only for those who are working at those companies or for nurses.
Hey Mary…My EMR certification path and experience is soley with Epic’s EMR application and with Hospitals and Clinics who have installed Epic’s EMR. I am not a nurse and have never worked directly for Epic Systems. My path to EMR certification began as I have detailed in this blog, with first being hired as a FTE for a hospital that acquired this EMR. I was working as a Microsoft applications training for this hospital’s training dept for about 3 years…I heard about the ‘buzz’ regarding EMR’s at that time (about 7 years ago)…and then transitioned into the EMR implementation dept at this hospital. I was then sent out (by the hospital) to Epic’s facility in the mid-west for my first vendor certification training and subsequently got my certification via this training (and lots, and lots of study, testing). After about 2 more years of practical application of EMR Implentations for this hospitals clinics, I was recruited and became a traveling EMR Implementation consultant. This is the path that all of my Epic EMR Certified colleagues have sucessfuly followed regarding getting EMR (Epic) certified and experienced and marketable! I’m not familar with how to get certified with Cerner…perhaps you should first seek out a hospital that has recently has acquired and EMR, apply for an entry level position and have them send you out to get your vendor EMR certification…and the rest will happen!
If you want to learn more about this certification process feel free to join my online classes at http://www.HCITSCHOOL.com
Regards,
Shirley
http://www.SCconsultant.com
I do have to agree with the first comment made to this blog. The information is only helpful to those currently in the medical field. For those of us who have worked as consultants in medical facilities, there is no vehicle for us to become epic certified. Have I worked with it? Yes.(C’mon folks, it’s not Physics!) and it’s not that hard to grasp for the IT professional. So why is it I cannot find a school that offers certification?
And by the way, (with all due respect..) you’re nuts if you think the average person can just walk into a medical center and get them to offer position that will provide free training and certification. That happened TEN years ago and has no bearing on the present. I’m glad it happened for you and would like that to happen for me, but the medical field is not as generous as it once was in this regard.
Lori and others; Thank you for some practical suggestions and links to sites that offer real opportunities to learn and get ahead. Here’s to better times for the healthcare industry including the repeal of what I call “Obuma dumma, Ding-dong care”
Hey Rick,
Not sure what part of our country you are from, but click on the link here that will send you to one such ‘vehicle’ that allows for EMR / EMR certification. http://www.camdencc.edu/departments/hit/ehrinfosessions.pdf (Thanks our US Government’s American Reinvestment Recovery Act (ARRA) millions of dollars of funding has allowed local colleges nationwide to offer these FREE Healthcare IT education certificate programs. The only way to become Epic Certified is through training from Epic System, Inc. and it’s offered by Hospitals and Clinics who have purchased Epic’s EMR software. I know for a fact that many, many hospitals are hiring staff and then sending them out to get Epic Certified. Call my office at (609) 561-6016 and I will provide the names of a few healthcare facilities who are seeking candidates at this time. Also keep in mind there are also many, many other EMR / EHR venders offering training on their software (eClinical Works, GE Healthcare, McKesson, Cerner…just to name a few). And yes, I was quite fortunate 10 years ago to have the foresight to transition from a Microsoft Applications instructor at a large healthcare facility that had recently purchased Epic’s Ambulatory EMR software, to become Epic EMR certified…I was sent out to Wisconsin at Epic’s headquarters for several intense training classes, I had to study for another 3-6 months, then pass several intense exams in order to get certified….and that was just the beginning as I have detailed in my blog. And yes, my EMR professional experiences began 10 years ago…but believe me opportunities still exist today to get into this career, especially with the predicted need for about 50,000 additional qualified EMR / EHR professionals required for this industry. So call me nuts (I’m loony all the way to the bank!)…but I know what I’m talking about in this regard. I share my professional experiences via my blogs so others can learn from my experiences and those experience of others in this fast evolving industry (…don’t be hating on me Rick :-))
I look forward to your call!
Regards,
Shirley
Shirley,
I’m with Rick on the Hospitals and medical centers not offering the EMR certification opportunities to someone walking in stating an interest in training. I’ve seen the advertisements on Hospitals converting from paper to EMR and it motivated me into enrolling into a Health Information Technology program to obtain my RHIT and start a new career. I will complete the courses in the spring of 2011 and I’ve started to search for positions in HIT. I’m quite despondent on the positions available to entry level professionals. My question is, would an Epic certification aid in making me more marketable? I need to believe as you do that opportunities still exist today to get into this career.
Hello Shirley:
Thanks for writing this (and your blog). Your honesty and candor really comes thru. As they say:
luck is opportunity meeting preparation
Regards..
Hello Shirley,
I just read Derricks question and I’m curious about the HIT degree too. I have my HIT degree. I have 20 years experience in HIT and for the past 14 years I have worked exclusively with Research Registries / databases / data/ abstraction at a major Cleveland healthcare facility.
Will EPIC certification in addition to the HIT put me in a position to work with IT with the EMR?
Thank you.
Hi Shirley,
I have a BS in Biology, 20 years experience in health care; 8 years as medical office manager and 12 as a Sr. Pharmaceutical Sales Rep, I was laid off in 2008 and, had much difficulty getting hired in pharma again at my salary level, so I decided on a career change. I am now finishing my 3rd semester of the HIM Masters from UIC, in the mean time I have not found work. Pharma keeps laying off reps and I don’t have experience in HI to be hired at any level. I am considering either getting a Coder Certification or EMR Certified then getting hired by a local hospital or a software vendor to train/implement EHRs, the latter being what I’m more interested in.
I am planning to start studying for the coder certificate on my own in the next week or so; however, I might prefer to get EMR Certified and get my foot in HI this way.
Would you be so kind as to give me a list of schools that offer this EMR Certificate. I am in South Florida, but I am open to do online education. Thanks so much for all the information you are providing us,
Georgianne Russ
gmruss5@gmail.com
Greetings, Trisha
The best avenue to get your Epic certification is to apply for an IT Healthcare position with a hospital or clinic that has Epic installed (or about to purchase Epic for installation). With your stated professional background and recent HIT degree, as ALSO YOUR WORK AT A MAJOR CLEVELAND FACILITY, I would say you should have a great chance to be in position to have a facility like, say Cleveland Clinic, hire you and then send you out to get Epic Training and certification. I got my first certification (about 6 years ago) by getting hired by a Hospital in Phila, PA that was installing Epic Ambulatory. Then they sent me out to Epic Systems to get training and then I worked to complete training assignments and several tests to get certified.
Stay in touch and let me know how you make out!
Regards,
Shirley
Hi Shirley
I followed the link above you have listed in an Oct comment and can’t understand why college credits aren’t being given for the same class through a Community college. I applied for this class and hope I’m accepted for the Jan 2011 class, trainng is six months and intensive I’m also making a career move from the IT field to Healthcare IT but I just started and was lucky to get in on a Epic go-live event at the community hospital here in Houston. This was fascinating to me and I loved everything about it ( Inpatient and Outpatient care) Wish there were more go-live events to attend as a freshman.
Thanks
J. Parker
Hello Georgianne,
From what you have detailed regarding you going another direction with your career (from a Pharma Rep) and your current educational achievements…looks like you are back on track in getting the HCIT marketable skills required. Many local colleges around our country and recieved the federal government stimulas funds regarding the EHR certificate programs (but as I try to remind everyone from time to time, these EHR certificate programs provide a different education versus a EMR / EHR software vendor training and Certification program. You stated you live in south Florida…just check you local colleges and find out if they are offering the govt funded EHR training program (many are also offering them online as well). These classes are a good start…and my opinion, your next steps would be to locate what Hospitals in your area have installed any of the EMR vendor software systems (do your homework a learn about these vendors), if it seems like a good fit for you, then by all means apply for a job at that hospital and/or clinic. Once hired….you can then see about the next steps regarding opportunities for you new Hospital/clinic employer in sending you out for the additional EMR /EHR vendor training!
Let us know how you make out in the next few months.
Regards,
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
Thank you for all the info you shared.
How difficult the exams you had mentioned are?
I currently work for a large healthcare network as a financial analyst in a data-warehousing environment and utilize Epic’s hospital billing module as a user. I would love to get Epic certified and eventually take on the consultant’s role.
Does one need to possess any special skills to be successful in this function?
Thank you,
Ellen.
Hello Shirley,
I had an interest in Health IT about 2 years ago. I then enrolled in the Masters of Health informatics program at UIC. I am currently working as a Physical Therapist Assistant for a small company. I have been looking to get a job in the Health IT field for the past 6 months, but most employers are looking for candidates with at least 5 years experience. I do have experience in the health field but i don’t have the experience in the HIT field. Any ideas as to how to get an entry level job in this field?
Thank You,
Godfrey
I have six years direct healthcare IT experience. I supported the hospital and 21 remote offices. This included installs and support of Siemens, Mckesson and Misys EMR apps and data center infrastructure. I have moved on to what I thought was a better opportunity. I’d like to know if the current certifications are necessary for someone such as my self to be hirable in the healthcare it field? How would I go about getting this certification(s)? Any feedback will be appreciated!
Thanks
Gary
I am a LPN at Group Health in WA state. I am currently working with the EPIC EMR . I have a STRONG interest in moving into the IT realm. I would love to work as an EPIC consultant. Where do I start?
Greetings, Ellen, Godfrey, Gary, and Jennifer,
I’m soooo glad this blog topic continues to receive so much interest. It’s a pleasure to share my experiences, and to hear about all of your background in interest in the profession. The Epic EMR certification exams are challenging, but if you follow the guidelines provided, one will be successful! It sounds like you all have some experience as an Epic EMR system users or the educational/professional background that could be a plus for you if you decide to pursue EMR Certification and/or eventually take on a consultant’s role.
Due to this overwhelming response to my blogs on this topic, I’ve been busy working on a Webinar entitled ‘I Got Certified, You Can Too…Let Me Tell You How!’
My goal with this online, interactive Webinar is to provide the specific requirements and steps one can follow to get Epic EMR Certified and ways to become a Consultant and/or Employee certified in this ‘in demand’ and rewarding career!
Please look out for my next blog post to be published the first week of January 2011, here at Healthcare IT Today for details. (cost, dates, times, webinar outline, etc.) You will get an opportunity to register for this informational session)
Regards,
Shirley
I am currrently a full time FTE at a facility, sent to Epic and received certificaton in Training Environment Build & Curriculum. Our Go-live date is coming soon. Is it true I would be ‘black balled’ if left within 60 days of Go-live for a consulting company? We have consultants get paid triple to quadrple what we do and do 1/4th of the work, I want to do that, but we have 5 facilities to Go-live and they are set exactly 60 days apart.
Sandy,
I’m not exactly sure what the terms you agreed upon with your FTE employer regarding your commitment for completing task they have sent you to Epic for training. Many employers do have their employees sign agreements for some time frame to make sure that the money spent to send an employee out for training; they will get some type of “return on their investment”. These types of agreements, seems like a fair exchange, especially if upon signing such an agreement, one is made aware of the terms. It’s important that professional agreements are honored and go-lives are completed as planned. The experience one garners from this experience and most importantly the services delivered by trained and qualified EMR /EMR specialists is very important!
To abandon current responsibilities at this point, simply for “greener” pastures may not be legally or ethically a good idea. My advice would be to complete ones current commitment and then decide on next steps. Believe it or not, it’s a “small world” when it comes to the EMR Consulting world…once this career path is chosen, you want to be known as a professional who honors your professional agreements.
So many people would love to get the Epic® training you have been able to receive…be patient now and acquire the go-live and implementation experience you will garner from this experience…I believe the opportunities you are seeking will be there for many years to come!
Regards,
Shirley
http://www.SCconsultant.com
Shirley,
I am working Senior IT Analyst for big health care insurance firm for past 6 years. How would learning EPIC helpful for me. Is there anyway, i can get trained or certified??
Have been really trying to get in to EPIC past year.Please advise.
Aasi,
This year of 2011, my blogs and upcoming webinars will focus on EMR Vendor Certification experiences and how to apply this expertise and skill set in getting and keeping EMR Jobs and/or EMR consulting assignments.
Based on the many responses from my ‘I Got Certified…” blogger fans, I have developed my first 2011 EMRLive Webinar entitled: A “How To” Guide for EMR Vendor Certification – I Got Certified for Healthcare IT Jobs – You Can Too!
This live online webcast is designed to provide information and guidance for Information Technology and Healthcare professionals seeking to get hired for Electronic Medical Records (EMR) jobs. To provide information on the best “On-The-Job” training happening in the Healthcare Industry today.
Following are the key objectives for this 1 hour session:
Learn who hires employees for EMR jobs
How to get Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Vendor Certified, Discover what the EMR Training course is like and who provides this instruction, Learn how to evaluate your professional background for a matching EMR Job title
EMR Jobs salaries – Exploring the possibilities!
For details regarding the date, time, and cost of this 1 hour ‘”Live” webcast and how to enroll, please go to this link > http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/bookEvent/A308294
Regards,
Shirley
http://www.HCITschool.com
Shirley,
I was recently hired at a mid sized hospital in their information services dept. I will be getting epic certified in ambulatory. My background is teaching and I am a chiropractor. I was wondering how difficult the epic certification training is for someone with my background?
Hello Lynn,
I’ll be providing information about this vendor certification training and subsequent “project” tasks and testing as part of my Webinar entitled: A “How To” Guide for EMR Vendor Certification – I Got Certified for Healthcare IT Jobs – You Can Too!
For details regarding the date, time, and cost of this 1 hour ‘”Live” webcast and how to enroll, please go to this link > http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/bookEvent/A308294
Regards,
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
My institution just got Epic. I’ll be sent to Wisconsin for training. I’m in the ClinDoc team for inpatient. How difficult is the certification? I’m a little bit nervous. I’m a bedside nurse…who just got hired to build Epic for the hospital.
Group,
I’m unemployed and looking for work in medical IT. I have a BS in Computer science and currently working on my Masters in Health and Information Technology specializing in Informatics. I have a year left for the Masters. I also did 3 years as a contractor at Kaiser. How can I get Epic Certified with out spending a lot of money? Most of the programs look expensive. Can anyone help me?
Thanks,
Robert
Appreciating the persistence you put into your site and detailed information you offer. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I’m unemployed in the IT field at this time and looking for work as an Epic Consultant or find a Perm to hire position. I have a BS degree and enjoy with EPIC application. How can I get Epic Certified? Can I find a company who will take me under there organization and credential me. I am willing to do what it takes to find a company who will put trust in me. Most of the programs are expensive and I am financially struggling. Can anyone help me?
Please help
I have to laugh at the brilliant advice about getting Epic certified by first getting a job at a hospital. I don’t know what planet you folks are living on but here on Earth where I am – all of the hospital IT jobs require Epic certification – I’m a very experienced IT professional and I agree with Rick above that it cannot be that much different from any other system out there that I have been involved with but it’s a nasty feedback loop at this point. If I could just get in the door I could learn Epic in a matter of weeks but you cant get in the door unless you’re Epic certified and you can’t get Epic certified unless you get in the door?? WTF – brilliant hospital HR – just brilliant.
Hi Gob,
Since I work with many firms and hospitals who hire in the Healthcare IT space, I wanted to respond to your comment. In the past, it was much more difficult to get your foot in the Epic door, but as the demand for certified professionals begins to far exceed the current supply, I’m seeing more and more hospitals that are willing to help otherwise qualified new hires get certified.
Additionally, I’m excited to report that agencies are beginning to come up with innovate ways to train sharp professionals, as well. Beacon Partners, for instance, has an apprenticeship program that produces certified and fully qualified consultants in a two-year program.
I’d be happy to make some introductions for you – feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and we’ll see what we can do. In the meantime, Shirley Corsey is teaching a Webinar that provides an excellent framework for making it all happen – here’s the link: http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/bookEvent/A308294
G.
Thanks Gwen,
I also need to emphasize – EVERYONE who is currently EMR Vendor certified began their careers regarding EMR Implementations, NOT being certified! Most began with either a clinical or IT technical professional background. Once hired by a Hospital or Clinic (and now a few consulting firms) they are sent out to the EMR Vendor’s location to attend EMR certification training. This is a process that does not happen “overnight” – it requires training, practice, testing and then application of these newly acquired skills in a live clinical environment… Once all of this is complete – many professionals then seek to become traveling EMR Vendor certified consultants, as I have detailed in my blogs > https://www.healthcareittoday.com/2010/02/19/what%e2%80%99s-your-rate-want-to-go-fte-w2-all-inclusive-1099-or-corp-to-corp/. Many decide to stay on as full-time employee Hospital and/or Clinic staff for the many, many different EMR Implementation staff job roles.
And Yes, I cover this process in detail in my new webinar “A “Guide” to EMR Vendor Certification – http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/bookEvent/A308294
Thanks Gwen – being a blogger for Healthcare IT Today has allowed this opportunity for me to share my professional experience, that may help others advance their Healthcare IT job careers and also allowing others to share their healthcare and IT job industry backgrounds, trials, and tribulations as well!
Trudy,
Please contact me – I can provide you a few leads regarding your goal in finding a company who will take you under their organization and credential you.
There are a few consulting firms and hospital employers seeking professionals like you. I’m not sure what part of the country you live in, so you may need to relocate and/or do a little travel to get your foot in the door that can lead to EMR Vendor Certification.
Feel free to visit my website at http://www.HCITschool.com or email me at ContactUs@scconsultant.com.
Thanks,
Shirley Corsey
I was lucky enough to be credentialed on some Epic modules while consulting at a hospital. However, because of the “Good Install” contract that many hospitals sign with Epic, many of the hospitals are requiring certified people. Any advice for someone who has the experience but is lacking the certification?
Shirley – I am a degreed engineer, consulting with hospitals in the last 20 years in quality. I am interested in learning more about EPIC’s clinical documentation module, that focuses on workflow. Do you have any suggestions about how to learn more about that specific module?
Does anyone else have any suggestions?
Thank you for your service, Kim
Joy – Yes – I cover this process in detail in my new webinar “A “Guide” to EMR Vendor Certification – http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/bookEvent/A308294
Click the link and review what this webinar consists of – and feel free to register for the next session.
Thanks,
Shirley
http://www.HCITschool.com
Kim,
EPIC’s clinical documentation module is one of the module’s I’m Vendor Certified in. Call me to discuss some options I can share to provide you some suggestions about how to learn more about this specific module.
My office number is (609) 561-6016 – email is contactUs@scconsultant.com
Regards,
Shirley Corsey, Certified Epic EMR Consultant
http://www.HCITschool.com
I am a Bio tech Research Analyst/Associate. I have two masters one in Microbiology and other Biotechnology plus 5 years of industry experience in those fields. I am looking to get into some paramedical field that involves IT.
Health care IT is something that comes up in my research. I have less programming knowledge, but my background allows me to understand Health care Is EPIC for me? Obviously I am up here for a career change, but I want to know where to start?
My main motive to switch is obviously a financially rewarding career. Billing rates and salaries in Bio-tech/Microbiology fields are not that great and I am frustrated that I am unable to get enough money for all my education and hard work. I am currently out of job and willing to join any organization that can teach and train me on EPIC. I see lot of job requirements for the same. Where can I learn more?
Yours is the only Blog that gives some in depth info.
I have been with a large Multispecialty clinic for the past 9 years as the IT Director. We started our Allscripts Implementation in 2003 and are now completely paperless. Do you think getting my EMR certification would assist in becoming a consultant with other Healthcare facilities around the country that are just noew getting started.