Need real world info please

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Sep 10, 2011

Greetings and Welcome to the Forum nurse2it,

You are not alone in your concerns post the ONC HITECH training program.

Other graduates of these programs across the country are reporting frustration with the training they recieved and an inability to find jobs in our specialty and the HIT market.

See article: "Jury Still Out on Health IT Workforce Training Programs"

http://www.ihealthbeat.org/features/2011/jury-still-out-on-health-it-workforce-training-programs.aspx

IMHO these certificate programs do not provide the basic skill and content (nor offer opportunity to gain hands on experience) with any of the specific vendor products that are needed to build, test, train end users, implement and manage systems.

These programs may not be providing basic skills like HOW TO flow chart clinical processes, patient flow and department processes in preparation for system implementation or redesign using tools such as Visio.

Or proficiency in MS Project for creating project plans for implementing systems.

Or HOW TO assess an organization for readiness related to system implementation (such as bar code medication administration systems or CPOE) or ARRA/MU compliance???

CIOs and hiring managers all over the USA are in overdrive to implement new applications/modules/suites for clinical systems transformation and ARRA compliance they are looking for people with vendor product expertise and experience.

These projects cost in the millions and billions and no one wants to gamble that kind of investment on a novice with out proven experience.

Yes of course entry level jobs are available but perhaps at smaller numbers than what is needed for the major projects occuring currently????

I dont see these new certificate grads as having even the basic skills to build on and that would make them more marketable than say a more (hands on ) experienced (but currently employed) analyst ...........nor would they have the depth and breath of specific vendor product experience that is needed.

Related to shedding light on "what the actual duties of an implementation specialist/analyst are" that you should easily be able to find out by looking at position postings on such sites as Indeed.com, Careerbuilder.com and the job postings on the HIMSS, AMIA, ANIA-CARING. etc websites. Again a skill and knowledge that should have been taught to you in your program .... at the least.

I am a student in the ONC HITECH program and will soon be "certified" to perform as an implementation specialist or as tech support. So far the program has been heavy on the soft skills. I worked as a bedside nurse in acute care for almost 15 years and have used Epic emr but have been out of the pt care world for
almost 3 yrs. Knowing how quickly change occurs in IT and healthcare, I suspect the IT training I am getting will be inadequate. Most of the job postings I see
want experienced analysts/trainers, build experience, etc. I am not an IT expert. Can anyone shed light on what the actual duties of an implementation specialist/analyst are? What skill sets are employers looking for? I know I need further IT education but which courses? I don't want to pursue a degree since I
am not interested in a leadership/management position.
Any info welcome, honesty appreciated!

nurse2it · Sep 10, 2011

Angela, thanks for your thoughts. This will help me figure out what the next step is, I

truly appreciate your comments and welcome any further suggestions/advice you may have.

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Sep 10, 2011

No problem, feel free to contact me, lets connect and see about brainstorming ways to faciliate you landing a job in this speciality/industry. My grandmother always said: "Nothing beats a failure, but a TRY"!!!

Angela, thanks for your thoughts. This will help me figure out what the next step is, I
truly appreciate your comments and welcome any further suggestions/advice you may have.

ikarus01 · Sep 11, 2011

IMHO these certificate programs do not provide the basic skill and content (nor offer opportunity to gain hands on experience) with any of the specific vendor products that are needed to build, test, train end users, implement and manage systems.

Can't have said it better than rninformatics, but I just wanted to add some 'real world info.'

Just recently we had a candidate apply for a job with one of these certifications, but had zero experience dealing with an "informatics project." When we were reviewing resumes, hiring manager didn't even know what the certification was so she discarded the resume.

I had read about the program before so I tried to make the argument to at least interview the candidate to see what they knew, but unfortunately for that candidate, there were other candidates with no certification that actually had real world experience being super users or participating in meetings during the implementation of a project, so hiring manager pretty much said, "I rather interview candidates who have real life experience in the field."

Hopefully other hiring managers/directors out there are aware of the program, but as have been said many times in the forum, best to get some real life experience in your workplace when a project is being implemented, as that's what shines the most in resumes of entry level candidates. And of course, make sure you have a 'relevant' resume for the position you're applying. :twocents:

infosysnurs · Sep 15, 2011

Same experiences as RNinformatics and Ikarus7401. Real world experience (especially in project implementation) goes a long way in hiring. I also made the case to interview a candidate with one of those HITECH certifications. We had other prospective candidates that had years of on-the-job experience without those certifications. I got the same response from my hiring director, “We’ve only got time for experienced candidates.”

nurse2it · Sep 15, 2011

Thanks to all who replied, I appreciate the advice/info.

Mijourney · Oct 31, 2011

Hi folks. As I understand it, there are different categories of skill sets one could learn. For instance, you can learn to become a consultant or trainer. However, it would appear from what you all have pointed out, the programs are meaningless. Does anyone know if there is more success with the community college level or the university level as far as finding jobs? One thing I have been made aware of with these ONC/HITECH programs is that they are essentially free due to grant money. However, with it being free does that mean the programs should be ineffective and not helpful to those who want or need a job?

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Oct 31, 2011

Greetings Mijourney,

As far as I know the knowledge and expertise needed to be a trainer or a consultant are higher level skills achieved after one has mastered basic knowledge and skills associated with actually working with a particular vendor product.

Unless related to "trainer" you are referring to non discipline/no IT specific skills that one who was well versed in adult education posseses?? that could translate over/into IT/IS trainer once you had knowledge of the specific vendor product.

The specific "skill set" required of a consultant is not being provided (nor can it be, nor are they saying they will) in these basic programs. The skill set these programs hope to provide are such basics as undestanding of relational databases, principles of GIGO (garabage in, garbage out), NI, Medical and Health informatics fundamentals such as listed here on the AMIA.org 10x10 program description:

http://www.amia.org/education/10x10-courses

I think the problem is that they are touting the content as "real world" but the content truly only scratches the surface of the industry and specialty.

Hi folks. As I understand it, there are different categories of skill sets one could learn. For instance, you can learn to become a consultant or trainer. However, it would appear from what you all have pointed out, the programs are meaningless. Does anyone know if there is more success with the community college level or the university level as far as finding jobs? One thing I have been made aware of with these ONC/HITECH programs is that they are essentially free due to grant money. However, with it being free does that mean the programs should be ineffective and not helpful to those who want or need a job?

ikarus01 · Oct 31, 2011

Hi folks. As I understand it, there are different categories of skill sets one could learn. For instance, you can learn to become a consultant or trainer. However, it would appear from what you all have pointed out, the programs are meaningless. Does anyone know if there is more success with the community college level or the university level as far as finding jobs? One thing I have been made aware of with these ONC/HITECH programs is that they are essentially free due to grant money. However, with it being free does that mean the programs should be ineffective and not helpful to those who want or need a job?

It is not that the programs are meaningless....

It is the fact that employers prefer to hire candidates who have some type of experience in informatics/IT.

For example, let's say you have zero experience implementing a project in the informatics field/department. You have never trained users, you have never participated in meetings with the IT/Informatics dept, you haven't helped with any data collection, etc.

You decide to get one of these certificates and then apply for a job. Most likely employers will pass you over for candidates who have some background in any of the activities mentioned above.

Now, assume you do have that experience, and then you get a certificate....your chances of an interview to get a job are better than just having a certificate. The certificate is an added bonus to have, but just the experience alone, is enough to help you interview for a job.

Thus, is the certificate really necessary?

However, if the school offering the certificate is offering job placement, or is offering to hook you up with employers that will at least interview you, then the certificate is not meaningless at all. But how many schools are providing this important service? Not many.

The next complain people have is, is not fair. I'm sure I will do a good job if given the job because I learn fast, and I'm easy to train, I'm willing to work hard (whatever that means), and on and on.

Fair enough....lets say you do get an interview. Now assume another entry level candidate comes in and this person has trained some users to help with an implementation. Even if you get the job interview, who do you think will have a better interview?

Fact of life is, competition for jobs right now is fierce, and entry level candidates with a certificate and zero experience won't do as well on interviews, and that's why the theme on these threads is, get some experience in the field because that will prepare you the most for a future job in informatics.