Certifications

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Aug 3, 2007

Hi Mijourney when you write: "software application certification(s)" what exactly do you mean? Do you mean MIcrosoft Certification or are you refering to what

the HIS vendor Epic requires of those implement its apps?

I'm going after a degree in health informatics and information management. Will it be important to get some type of software application certification(s)? Or, is it customary for employers to pay for certification once hired?

Mijourney · Aug 4, 2007

Well, I guess I'm talking about both. Is it recommended to get a Microsoft certification or in other applications like Oracle and Epic? I hope this makes sense. It's just that when I look through some of the positions in medical, health or nursing informatics, it appears the employer usually requires some type of experience with software applications beyond Microsoft word, excel or powerpoint.

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Aug 7, 2007

That is correct and you get that experience through on the job experience. NO one gets "certified in" Meditech or Epic off the street. You work for an organization going to implement or that has implemented the Clinical App. You recieve the software training needed for your role, work with the application and that is how you obtain the needed clinical apps experience

Microsoft Certification would be recomended if you plan on being a PC Tech or on working on Networks. In order to obtain Epic certification you would need to either work for Epic or be employed by an organization that was planning on implementing or had already implemented Epic.

In the later case the hospital or organization would send you for Epic training and certification and also pay for same.

Well, I guess I'm talking about both. Is it recommended to get a Microsoft certification or in other applications like Oracle and Epic? I hope this makes sense. It's just that when I look through some of the positions in medical, health or nursing informatics, it appears the employer usually requires some type of experience with software applications beyond Microsoft word, excel or powerpoint.

Mijourney · Aug 8, 2007

Thanks rninformatics. I have another elementary question or two. When one gets on-the-job training in a software application, does this allow the person to be able to easily transfer this learning to another software application if changes are made in software? Is there a website that has a listing of software programs typically used in patient care? I've seen topics under this forum mention a few of the software programs out there like Meditech and Epic.

mydesygn · Aug 9, 2007

There is a lot of variation among healthcare applications. Working with Meditech is not going to lead to any better understanding of Cerner. What is important is that you have clear experience working as software analyst and a healthcare background is a plus. There really is not a tried and true method to break into healthcare informatics. It's partly luck, partly planning, partly networking with IT staff already working in the field, and partly knowing how to recognize and take advantage of opportunities.

I started out as a registered nurse for 14 years, went back to college and got a degree in Computer Information Sys. I remained in bedside care for several years after that. I joined IT nursing councils/committees, became a computer documentation superuser, contacted my IT dept department and volunteered for any development / training that needed to be done with users and directly marketed myself. By the time a position opened up, I was well known and was able to take advantage it.

A degree specifically in healthcare informatics certainly is a plus, however if you work while obtaining your degree - I would suggest working for a healthcare org in some capacity. It's the healthcare knowledge that is the real plus.

If you go the certification route - your best hustle would be a MOUS (Microsoft Office User ) certification or a certification dealing directly with SQL/database development such as SQL server, Access. Project Management (PMP) certification would also be helpful.

Your application training is always on the job and if offsite training is needed, your employer will pay for it. There really isn't any good way to get training in enterprise healthcare applications (such as Meditech, Cerner, Epic, Eclipsys etc..) without either working for an organization that is/has implemented it or working for the application's vendor.

Don't limit yourself to enterprise healthcare apps. Do some internet research (Google) and look for physician office software, dictation, home health, transport, insurance, billing, reimbursement, scheduling... There are lots of different apps used to do a number of different healthcare related activities.

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Aug 10, 2007

No, being proficient in the use of or having experience building and testing in Epic does not transfer over to being able to navigate, build and or test in Meditech without specific formal training in Meditech. "A website that has a listing of software programs typically used in healthcare? " I got pretty good results just doing an Internet search with the terms Healthcare Information Systems. Try that.

I have found some skills translate - such as navigational comfort. I've used, built, tested and implemented multiple systems. As an example today I had to access Zynx Evidence. I had a user log in but had never worked with the app before. I have had no formal training on how to use this software but I was able to muddle through enough of it to assist a Nurse Manager searching for Best Practice Nursing interventions for the specialty of Gerniontology. Some of it is Human Factors related to set -up and good system design, some is comfort level/instinct and some of it is just plain stubborness on my part not to let a computer application get the best of me!

Hope That Helps!

Thanks rninformatics. I have another elementary question or two. When one gets on-the-job training in a software application, does this allow the person to be able to easily transfer this learning to another software application if changes are made in software? Is there a website that has a listing of software programs typically used in patient care? I've seen topics under this forum mention a few of the software programs out there like Meditech and Epic.