Epic Application Analyst

ikarus01 · Apr 10, 2011

In the past, I have worked implementing OR systems, not specifically epic though. However, no matter what application it is, the phases of the project kind of repeat. Before a project is implemented, data is gathered, current paper workflow is analyzed, and based on this data, the system is configured. That's the build part of the project. Once it is configured, the system is tested, users are trained, and then a go live happens, and support after the go live. In a nutshell, that's what happens in most hospitals.

Assuming that your system is already in place, most likely you will be trained on how to configure the system. You will be sent to classes in wisconsin, and there you will learn the behind the scenes tools to configure and troubleshoot this OR application.

As you gain more experience configuring the system, then you will be able to make recommendations as to what works and what doesn't work. For example, users come back and tell you, we need a BUR report for the outpatient hospital which has only the surgeons that are privileged to operate there. With your experience configuring the system you might reply with, that is not a standard report, but we can create a custom report in so many days.

Maybe another hospital within your health care facility is going live with this project, so you will start at the beginning of collecting the data....stuff like....what picklist they use, what do they document on their paper charts now that needs to go in the electronic system, what reports need to be 'computerized' etc.

Given that OR systems have many aspects to them----supply chain, scheduling, documentation, anesthesia, and the trackboard,then you might become the expert in one module or many.

Bottom line, if they came up to you and offered you this position, most likely you do well with computers, and if i were you, i would take this opportunity in a heartbeat, unless of course, you hate this type of work. Any more questions, feel free to pm me.

And one thing i forgot...yes, is true, you will not become a programmer so you don't have to know much about computers. if you're able to post on this board, or write emails, I'm sure you can be trained to be an epic analyst. Congratulations.

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 10, 2011

To add to Ikarus' very detailed reply, I would also suggest asking for a copy of the job description.

Depending on the organization an analyst role can be that of a system builder involved in the testing and design of the application(s) or one who is primarily a trainer.....or both.

Reviewing the job description with the team leader who approached you should shed needed light on exactly what the role will entail and what the expectations are.

Good Luck!

Does anyone have information they would like to share about what exactly I might expect in this particular position?

cjg10RN · Apr 16, 2011

Well, I interviewed for the EPIC analyst position on Monday. I think that it went well. As I mentioned before, I am an OR nurse with over 5 years of experience. I applied to become the head nurse of Oral surgery back in December. This is before the EPIC opportunity presented itself. The OR took their time to fill the position. In the meantime, I decided to pursue the position in the I.T. department. Well as fate would have it, I got offered the head nurse position in the OR; right after I interviewed for Epic. I e-mailed the I.T. manager and told him about my situation, and that I would rather work with him rather than the OR, but I have yet to hear from him. He said he would talk to my manager, and make me an offer to work in his department. Should I wait for him and turn down the manager position in the OR? I'm thinking the opportunity for growth would be greater in I.T. than the operating room. Any thoughts or suggestions?

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 16, 2011

How long do you have until you have to give OR an answer?

and

When did the IT manager say he would get back to you. You can let him know you are on a time line, are interested in the IT position but if you are not going to get it you dont want to miss out on the OR offer.

Good Luck!

Well, I interviewed for the EPIC analyst position on Monday. I think that it went well. As I mentioned before, I am an OR nurse with over 5 years of experience. I applied to become the head nurse of Oral surgery back in December. This is before the EPIC opportunity presented itself. The OR took their time to fill the position. In the meantime, I decided to pursue the position in the I.T. department. Well as fate would have it, I got offered the head nurse position in the OR; right after I interviewed for Epic. I e-mailed the I.T. manager and told him about my situation, and that I would rather work with him rather than the OR, but I have yet to hear from him. He said he would talk to my manager, and make me an offer to work in his department. Should I wait for him and turn down the manager position in the OR? I'm thinking the opportunity for growth would be greater in I.T. than the operating room. Any thoughts or suggestions?

cjg10RN · Apr 16, 2011

I will go back to work on Tuesday, and they will expect an answer. The I.T. manager said he will tell my current manager about his interest in me on Monday. After that, the I.T. manager said he can make me a formal offer for a position.

I just hope he will come through. I am flattered that they would think enough of me to offer me a promotion. I don't want to miss out on an opportunity in the OR, but the nurse analyst position I think would be great for more opportunity and growth.

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 16, 2011

If the IT Manager does not come through in time do you think you would take the OR position and just keep looking for another IT opportunity at a later time?

Well Good Luck.

Please let us know how it works out.

I will go back to work on Tuesday, and they will expect an answer. The I.T. manager said he will tell my current manager about his interest in me on Monday. After that, the I.T. manager said he can make me a formal offer for a position.
I just hope he will come through. I am flattered that they would think enough of me to offer me a promotion. I don't want to miss out on an opportunity in the OR, but the nurse analyst position I think would be great for more opportunity and growth.

angelbaby1118 · Apr 20, 2013

I work in an awesome outpatient surgery center as a pre-op/pacu nurse. I have a wonderful flexible manager and great co-workers. Off weekends & holidays and work part time. I work 10 minutes from home giving me more time with my family. I have been the super user for over a year as I had prior experience with epic at my second job. I love being a super user. I spent LOTS of time preparing and making detailed instructions for my co-workers to chart proficiently. I received many compliments from fellow staff and physicians. I had fun training my co-workers and I currently assist physicians when needed. I love being a PACU nurse and feel it is my calling. However, something about epic intrigues me. I had alot of questions so I applied for a permanent full time ambulatory analyst position in my hospital...honestly not sure if I even wanted it. There are at least 80 ambulatory offices. I would train the office staff and eventually learn to build in that area. They will send me to epic certification. The interview went great and the hiring manager seemed very nice and flexible. Many of the questions she asked were similar to the posted interview questions....I feel I answered them honestly and appropriately for the job. (Too bad I found this site after the interview!) Is this a career that can honestly take me far?? I am hesitant to take it if they offer me the job. I don't have any IT experience. Not sure if this is for me. I am not computer savvy. However, my co-workers think I am some sort of Epic computer whiz because I can usually help them with their problem. Am I crazy to turn this job offer down? She explained the job description well. I just can't figure out what I would be doing ALL day 7 days a week. It must be more time consuming than I thought. HELP!!

Brownie50 · May 18, 2013

It sounds like you were be a great Principal Trainer, so did you take the position?

angelbaby1118 · May 24, 2013

I did not get the position. They don't call you. You just get an email. Kind of bummed, but I am still not sure If I would have taken it. I have a 4 & 8 year old....would have to work full time, on call and late shifts. The thing is, no one can tell me the salary! I don't know if I should keep pursuing a career in Epic or let it go. Considered going to school in Nurse Informatics, but do not know the salary to see if it would be a good financial decision.

ikarus01 · May 24, 2013

I did not get the position. They don't call you. You just get an email. Kind of bummed, but I am still not sure If I would have taken it. I have a 4 & 8 year old....would have to work full time, on call and late shifts. The thing is, no one can tell me the salary! I don't know if I should keep pursuing a career in Epic or let it go. Considered going to school in Nurse Informatics, but do not know the salary to see if it would be a good financial decision.

On your previous post you mentioned that you really enjoyed being a super user, that you got compliments from your colleagues, and well in short, it seems to me, you would really have fun in an informatics position.

And about having a 4 year old and 8 year old, have worked with plenty of colleagues in that same situation and some even have disabled kids and they manage just fine in their job. I'm sure you will also do fine.

About epic salaries...they vary by many factors---location, application, job experience, etc. However, no matter how they vary, in the long run, your salary will be much higher than if you stay in clinical or bedside nursing.

In my blog, people have actually written to me and some tell me they kept their same salary, others report their salary increase, and a few actually took a pay cut. However, in all these cases, after a year or two of epic experience, their salaries increased and a couple said the increase was 300%+ (consulting gigs pay a lot). Bottom line, you will be better off in continuing to search for an epic job.

Something else...back in 2008 we had a little "nursing informatics" crisis; most hospitals were on a freezing period, and many consultants weren't being hired. Unfortunately for me, my consulting gig ended at that time, and also, I had the brilliant idea to try to change applications as i was tired of implementing revenue cycle systems or scheduling systems. I interviewed at least 1 time a day, if not more for different jobs, and all I got was rejections emails or calls

Took me about 3 months to land a job but I never gave up. I could have actually said, you know what, I'll continue implementing the same thing and i could have probably found a job sooner, but I just wanted to change. In this field you have to be persistent. You can't give up just because one hospital said no. Specially since you said you really enjoy this type of work.

Given your past super user experience, I would put out a resume and continue applying for jobs. I have no doubt that once you get an informatics job, you'll look back and say, this was the best decision of my nursing life.

And about going to school...because you already have experience in the field (super user, training, etc), like i said before, I would start first by fixing up my resume, submitting to job boards, and see what comes up. Keep on trying and don't give up cause it would be a shame if you did.

asha2003 · Jan 22, 2014

Any one can share how was the training, anytips to pass. I will not be able to continue in job, if i dont pass the test