Health information technology (HIT) is a demanding, growing profession that requires specialized skills. Studies by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Education and other sources project that as many as 50,000 additional HIT professionals may be needed over the next five years to support the implementation of electronic health records in the United States. The Midwest Community College Health Information Technology Consortium can provide you with the skills, confidence and connections you will need to thrive in the HIT field.
About the Consortium
The consortium is a collaboration of 17 of the largest and most innovative community colleges in the Midwest. Its goal is to recruit and train a minimum of 2,700 health career and information technology professionals and students annually, to assist them in becoming HIT professionals. Students who complete the program will receive standardized, non-degree certificates of completion. The program provides short-term training in specific roles that will support the implementation of electronic health records and is not meant to be an overall training program for HIT certification.
Program Specifics
The program offers both campus-based and distance education courses, including evening and weekend scheduling. The curriculum focuses on job-specific training in six work force roles to support electronic health records implementation. Those roles are:
In addition to “hard” technical skills, the Midwest HIT training program will incorporate up to 40 hours of “soft” skills training, which includes problem solving, decision making, time management, etc.
This project is supported in whole or in part by ARRA HIT Grant # 90CC007901 and was awarded to Cuyahoga Community College by the Federal HHS Office of the National Coordinator. Cuyahoga Community College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, gender, nor ethnicity.
Enrollment
This training is open to current and dislocated health care and information technology professionals seeking careers in HIT, as well as students, recent graduates and veterans. Financial assistance is available to students who qualify.
Job Opportunities
Though job placement is not guaranteed, the consortium is developing strong partnerships with regional extension centers and work force investment programs, as well as physician practices and software vendors/consultants, to help students establish the contacts they need that will lead to job opportunities.