Independent EMR Nurse Consultants?

guest2210 · Dec 19, 2012

Are there any independent EMR (electronic medical record) Nurse consultants out there? It looks as if it's been awhile since anyone has been active in this board under new convos and I wanted to start one. It seems as if there are many nurses working independently from contract to contract on golives, activations for different EMRs. If so, how is the pay? I understand the travel demands. Any problems finding assignments? Anyone working full-time, salary with benefits but traveling all over? What are your typical hours?

I have been an independent consultant for 5 1/2 yrs, leaving bedside nursing as an LPN after 26 yrs. There are a few ways to go: 1) W-2-you are under contract with an IT staffing agency and receive a paycheck with taxes already deducted-no obligation with the firm once your contract is completed. Some offer contract consultant benefits-medical, dental, vision and 401K. 2) 1099-you essentially are self-employed. The wage is higher but you are responsible for paying all of your own taxes. Usually no more than 15-20/hr more. 3) FTE with an agency-you are employed with a firm that supplies consultants to healthcare facilities for the purpose of training, activation support, optimization (post go live support).

You are generally on salary, and when the contract with the specific healthcare facility is complete, your firm sends you to another client. In the event your firm doesn't have anything matching your skillset at that time, you can be on-the-bench, which enables you to have time off and still keep your regular salary until your firm sends you on another assignment. Benefits are also available if needed.

Hours can vary, depending on the needs of the facility. Most recently, I was a pricipal trainer, working anywhere from 48-60 hours a week.

Feel free to PM me if you have additional questions.

shellypow · Nov 27, 2013

Hi EMR*LPN. I can't send PMs yet because I don't have enough activity on the boards. I see this is an old post and don't know if you're still active here.

I was wondering if you could make some suggestions for "where to start" with EMR consulting? I have worked a few travel assignments (as an RN in periop areas) at facilities implementing Epic so I have some clinical experience with electronic conversions. I keep trying to pick the brains of the people who come in to help at go-live but it's always so crazy busy no one has much time to network. I'm interested in any lead that gets my foot in the door. I would be willing to work with a facility but have no idea how you figure out who is hiring until after the fact. I'm most comfortable with Epic but would certainly consider any opportunity.

I wouldn't mind working with an agency that supplies consultants to a firm either. Many of the people I've met do this but I can't recall the name of any of the agencies and my internet search hasn't been very productive. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...