"Information Week - Top 9 Health IT Stories Of 2011"

Original Article  - Information Week

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee 01/05/2012

2011 was a challenging year for healthcare IT professionals. Providers rolled out electronic health record systems to qualify for the government's Meaningful Use financial incentives. Meanwhile, mobile health apps took off, e-prescribing increased, health info exchanges got a start, and some organizations suffered data breaches. On the plus side, more health IT jobs became available.

Demand Soars For Health IT Skills

The U.S. government estimates that the Meaningful Use initiative and related programs are fueling demand for about 50,000 new health IT professionals in the next few years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of health IT jobs across the country is expected to grow by 20% from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. To help prepare the future workforce, there were a number of program roll-outs in 2011 from the American College of Physician Executives, the training firm Alameda, and HITECH Act-funded efforts, including regional extension centers.

Despite these initiatives, job-seeking health IT professionals and prospective employers complain about skills mismatches and gaps. For instance, when InformationWeek Healthcare readers learned recently that the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) were working together to match job seekers to thousands of expected vacancies in health IT, many reacted with excitement, but others expressed skepticism and cynicism.

"I have spoken to many highly qualified and experienced IT resources who have applied for positions in the Healthcare industry and the response is typically 'do you have experience as a nurse or as a healthcare practitioner?'," wrote one commenter. "Until the healthcare industry rejects the notion that you have to have medical experience to bring your IT skills to bear, they will continue to struggle with innovation and improved service to the public."

Among other organizations trying to bridge the skills gap is the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), which is helping train clinical professionals to fill high-level roles such as chief medical information officer and chief nursing information officer.

"EMR Daily News - Alameda Launches Healthcare Information Technology Professional Certification"

December 14, 2011 By Steve Campbell

Information Technology workers looking for an exciting challenge as healthcare IT professionals, can finally benefit from a new opportunity to train online, while earning an industry-recognized national certification. The Healthcare Information Technology Professional (HITP) course provides the fundamental knowledge and skills required by technical professionals to support a medical practice, clinic or facility in its adoption of Health IT and beyond.

Alameda Services, a New York based organization specializing in Healthcare courseware development introduced the new course to enable IT professionals to leverage their knowledge of information and computer science, while learning the core concepts of the US healthcare system, medical information systems and business intelligence and analytics.

“Our team of industry healthcare and information technology experts has designed this course specifically to offer new employment opportunities to IT workers and those who have a basic working knowledge of office technology,” says Lena Feygin, Dip LC, executive vice president and director of business development for Alameda Services. “We provide the crucial tools and training materials to facilitate the learning process, foster new skill development and ensure career success in the healthcare industry.”

The HITP course is based on core concepts including IT, healthcare practice, electronic health records / electronic medical records (EHR/EMR) and business intelligence and analytics. Students will learn about: healthcare technologies, patient data management, and the culture of the healthcare industry today.

The online learning system comprises in-depth activities to reflect the way that one area of Health IT knowledge blends into another, including:

• US Healthcare System
• Medical Law
• Terminology and effective communication in healthcare and the public health setting
• Electronic health record implementation and management
• Healthcare compliance
• Concepts of quality improvement including patient safety
• Healthcare data management and organization
• Principles of business intelligence (BI) and business analytics
• BI applications in Healthcare

The HITP course is approved by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to take its exam for national certification as a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS), a certification often required by healthcare employers. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion from Alameda Services and they will be prepared to the NHA exam to earn the industry-recognized national certification.

The best candidates for HITP training are professionals who have experience in the following areas: Help Desk/Desktop support; Network Administration (A+, Network+, MCP); Quality Assurance; or Business Analysis.

“Unlike similar courses which can be very time-consuming and costly, we have designed this program to be completed at the student’s own pace, typically 5-6 weeks. The regular price is $395, nearly one-third of similar offerings. During the month of December we are running a 20% off promotion offering the program for only $316” says Feygin.

Photo By Walt Stoneburner

Read more: http://emrdailynews.com/2011/12/14/alameda-services-launches-healthcare-information-technology-professional-certification-online-learning-course/#ixzz1gcwuy4Wg

"Alameda Services Launches Healthcare Information Technology Professional (HITP) Certification Online Learning Course"

Brand New Online Training and Certification Opens the Door for Information Technology Professionals to Obtain a Career in the Healthcare Industry

New York, NY – December 13, 2011 –Information Technology (IT) workers looking for an exciting challenge as healthcare IT professionals, can finally benefit from a new opportunity to train online, while earning an industry-recognized national certification. The Healthcare Information Technology Professional (HITP) course provides the fundamental knowledge and skills required by technical professionals to support a medical practice, clinic or facility in its adoption of Health IT and beyond. Alameda Services, a New York based organization specializing in Healthcare courseware development covering Healthcare compliance, Healthcare IT, Data Management, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Electronic Health Records (EHR) training and workforce development, introduced the new course to enable IT professionals to leverage their knowledge of information and computer science, while learning the core concepts of the US healthcare system, medical information systems and business intelligence and analytics. The HITP course is approved by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to take its exam for national certification as a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS), a certification often required by healthcare employers. More information about the Alameda Services HITP course is available at http://alamedaservices.com/HITPDetails

“Our team of industry healthcare and information technology experts has designed this course specifically to offer new employment opportunities to IT workers and those who have a basic working knowledge of office technology,” says Lena Feygin, Dip LC, executive vice president and director of business development for Alameda Services. “We provide the crucial tools and training materials to facilitate the learning process, foster new skill development and ensure career success in the healthcare industry.”

The HITP course is based on core concepts including IT, healthcare practice, electronic health records / electronic medical records (EHR/EMR) and business intelligence and analytics. Students will learn about: healthcare technologies, patient data management, and the culture of the healthcare industry today.

The online learning system comprises in-depth activities to reflect the way that one area of Health IT knowledge blends into another, including:

•  US Healthcare System
• Medical Law
• Terminology and effective communication in healthcare and the public health setting
• Electronic health record implementation and management
• Healthcare compliance
• Concepts of quality improvement including patient safety
• Healthcare data management and organization
• Principles of business intelligence (BI)  and business analytics
• BI applications in Healthcare

The hands-on component of the program includes usage of live certified EHR software from an industry-recognized vendor.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion from Alameda Services and they will be prepared to take an exam to earn an industry-recognized national certification granted by NHA.

The best candidates for HITP training are professionals who have experience in the following areas: Help Desk/Desktop support; Network Administration (A+, Network+, MCP); Quality Assurance; or Business Analysis.

“Unlike similar courses which can be very time-consuming and costly, we have designed this program to be completed at the student’s own pace, typically 5-6 weeks. The regular price is $395, nearly one-third of similar offerings. During the month of December we are running a 20% off promotion offering the program for only $316” says Feygin.

About Alameda Services

ALAMEDA Services is an Allied Health training organization specializing in workforce development through in-class/on-line training. The company’s mission is to bridge the gap between the healthcare and information technology industries, and to satisfy their growing workforce demands by providing technology and educational expertise. More information is available at http://www.alamedaservices.com

Original article also appeared in: Technology Today, Education News Today, Healthcare Industry Today, World News Report, News Blaze,Healthcare News Articles, Industry News Article, eLearning News Articles, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Chicago Daily Herald, The Miami Herald, Newsday

"All-Inclusive, Online Allied Health Administration Training Program"

Alameda Services Debuts All-Inclusive, Online Allied Health Administration Training Program and Certification

Dynamic Allied Health-focused TrainingOrganization Introduces Certified Medical Administration Professional (CMAP) Program; Designation Indicates Healthcare Practice Administration Readiness to Employers

New York, NY – November 17, 2011 –Allied health professionals who provide a range of patient, accounting, billing, coding and medical records support to physicians are often unable to receive the comprehensive training that today’s medical practices require. To provide allied health professionals, and those looking to enter the healthcare field, with all-inclusive training and certification at an affordable price, Alameda Services, a New York based organization specializing in Healthcare courseware development covering Healthcare compliance, Healthcare IT, Electronic Health Records (EHR) training and workforce development, has unveiled a new and powerful online training track approved by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The Certified Medical Administration Professional (CMAP) training track provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about medical office administration, contract management, vendor management, healthcare compliance and regulations, healthcare information technology (HIT), medical billing and coding, medical terminology, and other essential topics pertaining to medical practice administration. In addition, participants will learn bookkeeping and accounting basics that remain an integral part of most medical practices. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to visit http://www.alamedaservices.com/node/E-Learning

“We not only provide the most important tools and training materials that enhance the learning process, facilitate new skill development and ensure career success in the healthcare industry, but also help students prepare for the national exams, gain more confidence and put their best foot forward,” says Lena Feygin, Dip LC, executive vice president and director of business development for Alameda Services. “Our intense program embraces all the different aspects of the healthcare office administration and enables each student to compete effectively in the marketplace. We are convinced that our newly-developed CMAP training track will serve as stepping stone to lifelong career success.”

The CMAP™ training track and certification (http://www.alamedaservices.com/node/E-Learning) is an extensive program offered by the Allied Health E-Academy, powered by Alameda Services and consists of three modules:

1. Medical Administrative Assistant (leading to CMAA designation)
   1. Medical Office Operations
   2. Medical Terminology
   3. Accounting/Bookkeeping
   4. MS Word/Excel
   5. Medical Billing (Part 1)
   6. Introduction to EHR (Electronic Health Records)
   7. Introduction to Healthcare IT (HIT)
   8. NHA CMAA Certification Exam preparation
2. Electronic Health Records Specialist (leading to CEHRS designation)
   1. Advanced EHR
   2. Healthcare Compliance (HIPAA, HITECH, ARRA, Meaningful Use)
   3. Hands-on Live EHR
   4. NHA CEHRS Certification Exam preparation
3. Billing and Coding Specialist (leading to CBCS designation)
   1. Medical Billing (Part 2)
   2. ICD-10
   3. Advanced Compliance (EDI, HIE, etc)
   4. NHA CBCS Certification Exam preparation

Upon successful completion of each program module, students will receive a certificate of completion from Allied Health E-Academy and they will be prepared to take exams to earn three industry-recognized national certifications granted by NHA. Upon earning all three national certifications, students will be awarded the CMAP certification from Allied Health E-Academy – a new professional designation indicating the highest level of readiness for today’s medical practices.

The highly-effective methodology, developed by Alameda Services, includes a Learning Management System (LMS) that grants immediate access to all student training materials which include topic slides and flashcards. No multiple downloads or email exchanges needed. Students can measure their progress by taking multiple quizzes and tests.  Students who require additional help can contact instructors and gain the assistance they need to enhance their performance.  All three NHA certifications include exam simulation which allows students to prepare for the certification exam.

“One of the important aspects behind our methodology is that students will find everything they need in one place, conveniently located as part of our Learning Management System,” says Feygin. “Information about the program, questions related to training, training materials, quizzes and flash cards, all located in one place.”

In addition, unlike similar courses which can take months and cost thousands of dollars, the CMAP certification prepares students in up to eight weeks for less than $1,000 (see comparison chart).

About Alameda Services

ALAMEDA Services is an Allied Health training organization specializing in workforce development through in-class/on-line training. The company’s mission is to bridge the gap between the healthcare and information technology industries, and to satisfy their growing workforce demands by providing technology and educational expertise.

###

You can also see this article at: Education News Today, Healthcare Industry Today, World News Report, Consumer News Today, News Blaze,Healthcare News Articles, Healthcare PR News, Employment News Article, Education News Articles, Elearning News Articles, Lifestyle News Articles,Newsday, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Chicago Daily Herald, The Miami Herald, EMR Daily News

"EMR Daily News - Allied Health Professionals - Future of the Workforce"

October 25, 2011 By Steve Campbell

Allied Healthcare Professionals of the future must be technology savvy and knowledgeable about healthcare practice administration, not to mention up-to-date on ever-changing compliance requirements, according to executives at Alameda Services, an expert organization in Allied Health related training solutions, focusing on workforce development and intense Electronic Health Record (EHR) training.

To help better prepare today’s workforce for the stringent job requirements for a rewarding career as an allied health professional, Alameda Services has identified “Five Requirements for Success Among Allied Health Professionals of the Future” and recently launched the of Allied Health E-Academy powered by Alameda Services, an online portal designed to provide interactive training and online learning culminating in three national certifications and three certificates of completion in EMR/EHR specialties, Medical Billing/Coding and Medical Office Administration. More information about Alameda Services is available at http://www.AlamedaServices.com.

“Allied health professionals must expand their knowledge in technology to stay current with the industry innovation that is currently being implemented across all of the healthcare service providers,” says Lena Feygin,Dip LC, executive vice president and director of business development for Alameda Services. “The shift toward comprehensive adoption of Electronic Medical Records / Electronic Health  Records (EMR/EHR) requires knowledge beyond traditional healthcare office practices.”

Five Requirements for Success among Allied Health Professionals of the Future

Feygin and her team at Allied Health E-Academy have identified a number of skills that future allied health professionals must possess in order to enjoy successful future careers.

1.     Knowledge of Medical Office Administration – A basic understanding of the functions, practices and procedures of medical offices is still at the foundation for any healthcare administrative staff position. But tomorrow’s workforce will be seeing fewer paper-based forms. Instead they will face a number of electronic forms, checklists and diagnostic tools that require their attention to detail in order to complete. Understanding and adapting to the new practice workflow is essential for the effectiveness of any practice employee.

2.      Knowledge of Compliance – The medical billing industry is increasingly focused on compliance requirements. With healthcare providers becoming more involved in the selection of both diagnostic and procedural codes, the traditional role of a medical practice biller is taking on new responsibilities. For example, for the past few years providers were presented with an opportunity to voluntary participate in the e-Prescribing (eRx) and Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) programs, and have received incentive money as a reward for their participation. Since the information reported for the PQRS is pulled from the previously submitted claims, billers and compliance officers of the practice become key individuals to not only start this initiative but also to assist with processing. In addition those providers that have not implemented an e-Prescribing program within their practices with incentives are subjected to penalties from Medicare/Medicaid at this time. With the new regulations under HIPAA, ARRA, and HITECH laws, medical office staff requires an understanding of best practices to keep the providers in compliance, and also to assist providers in receipt of the incentive programs by adopting EHR systems and reporting on Meaningful Use criteria.

There is an additional segment that affects billers and coders or those entering into the field of billing and coding. With the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 diagnostic practices and with the implementation of EMR/EHR systems, providers become more involved with the actual code selection. A biller/coder is the support mechanism for providers in this transitional process and serves to ensure accuracy in the claims submitted.

3.     Knowledge of Technology – More than any other time, practice staff members require working knowledge of both software, in the form of EMR/EHR applications, and hardware, including mobile technologies like notepads and tablets. The future will bring further implementation of telemedicine and mobile devices directly into the hands of these professionals as well. Security and electronic format becomes a more pressing issue which require for additional pieces of equipment and software to be integrated within individual practices. Examples of such measures are: webcams for patient picture identification, scanners to convert paper records to electronic format, barcode technology to have scanned unique IDs for individual patients, integration with the diagnostic equipments in use within the practice and outside of it.

4.     Knowledge of Data Management and Analysis – Since technology is making its way into the healthcare providers practices/clinics/facilities, there is an additional need in understanding and ability to monitor the processes of:

·         Data backup/restore – To have a productive relationship with the technology EMR/EHR services providers, a practice staff must have a clear understanding of the processes of their data backup/restore since the practice owns all of the data related to its patients.

·         Data migration – Understanding and actively participating in the data transitioning from previously used systems (scheduling, billing, progress notes, etc.) into a fully certified EMR/EHR system can be crucial for a seamless transition. Having the knowledge and the ability to monitor these processes makes an office staff member an invaluable part of the team.

·         Statistics and Data analysis – With the PQRS reporting and Meaningful Use criteria in place, it becomes essential for office members to be able to not only prepare the necessary compliance reports, but also to be able to use the data internally to evaluate the population served

5.     Knowledge of Health Information Exchange (HIE) – The ability to electronically move clinical information among various healthcare information systems, while maintaining the meaning of the information being exchanged, is the goal of HIE. The allied health professionals of the future will need to become familiar with accessing and retrieving patient-centered care data and how other healthcare entities are involved in the workflow of the practice. It is important to grasp the understanding of the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) that exists within any practice via its EMR/EHR system. The knowledge of the process on how to work with the data that is being released to other providers or received upon request of the practice is essential for a successful data interchange. Working within the new environment of electronic data becomes a daily task rather than a far away myth.

“Our coursework is demanding, interesting and intense,” adds Lena Feygin. “It is carefully designed to enhance employment opportunities for students who are ambitious, goal-oriented and determined to succeed in a highly-competitive marketplace. The participants will obtain the technical knowledge and the business acumen they need to maintain consistent standards of patient care for years to come. They will be well-equipped not only to land a solid job in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, but subsequently take on more challenging responsibilities, while delivering excellent healthcare to patients.”

Photo By Walt Stoneburner

Original Article posted at EMR Daily News

"EMR Daily News - AlliedHealthEacademy Provides Online Learning"

September 28, 2011 By Steve 0 Comments and 1 Reaction

As the healthcare industry progresses toward the comprehensive implementation of Electronic Health Records and significantly reduces the use of traditional paper-based health records and documentation, allied health professionals are seeing an increased need for cross-training that includes both healthcare and technology knowledge.

To better serve busy allied health professionals, as well as others looking to enter the healthcare field, Alameda Services today announced the launch of AlliedHealthEacademy.com, an online portal designed to provide interactivetraining and online learning culminating in three national certifications and three certificates of completion in EHR/EMR specialties.

Alameda Services has developed a successful track record of providing “in-class” training programs focusing primarily on workforce development and training in the field of healthcare IT. It has launched AlliedHealthEacademy.com as a dedicated organization focusing solely on Allied Health training and certification as well as connecting its graduates with potential employers throughout the country.

“Today we are launching an online training opportunity for participants throughout the country,” says Lena Feygin, Dip LC, executive vice president and director of business development for Alameda Services.

“AlliedHealthEacademy.com is our way of connecting with those interested in pursuing a career in Allied Health nationwide. We are no longer limited to a geographical region”, she continues.

The new Certified Medical Practice Professional (CMPP) program is an all-inclusive program offered by the AlliedHealthEacademy.com. It incorporates two major parts – the Electronic Health Records Specialist (EHRS) and Billing and Coding Professional (BCP). The CMPP program is approved by the National Healthcareer Association for two nationally recognized certification examinations: Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS). Students will receive a certificate of completion from AlliedHealthEacademy.com upon satisfactory completion of the EHRS and BCP, and CMPP certification upon successful receipt of both NHA certifications.

Allied health professionals provide numerous care and support services, including diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and direct patient care. These services, and the important role of allied health professionals, are absolutely critical to doctors and other health professionals they work with as well as the patients they serve.

Photo Credit By UTC Library

Originally posted by EMR Daily News

"Information Week - Where The IT Jobs Are: Healthcare"

Demand and pay for health IT talent surges, according to online career site Dice.com.
By Marianne Kolbasuk McGee InformationWeek
July 26, 2011 12:45 PM

Looking for a well-paying tech job? You may want to consider a health IT job, for which openings--along with pay--are soaring year over year, according to online career site, Dice.com, which specializes in engineering and technology postings.

While the number of open IT jobs posted on Dice.com overall has climbed 24% since last year, demand for health IT talent has shot up the most, said Alice Hill managing director of Dice.com.

"Health IT jobs are up 75% over last year," said Hill in an interview with InformationWeek Healthcare.

Although health IT jobs make up a relatively small segment of overall tech jobs posted on Dice.com, "nothing has been as large" as the surge in demandseen by Dice for health IT postings, she said. Approximately 3,000 health IT jobs are currently posted on Dice.com, she said.

It's not just the number of health IT job openings that are spiking, but pay for those positions is climbing too, she said.

Overall, "technology salaries have been flat for some time, even going down in some areas," she said. By contrast, average pay for health IT-related job postings in the medical and pharmaceutical segments has increased about 7% since 2009 to $85,244.

Health IT annual pay averaged in the mid to upper $70K range for many years till recently when it broke the $80K mark, she said.

Of health IT, the set of skills being most sought after are those related to e-health records or e-medical records, she said.

That's not surprising, considering the mad dash underway by thousands of hospitals and doctor offices nationwide to comply with federal government deadlines so that the healthcare providers can qualify for the more than $27 billion in incentive money allotted by the HITECH Act for the Meaningful Use of health IT, including EHR and EMR systems.

Also, among health IT job openings, positions that require skills in working with Cerner health IT platforms have jumped 80%, said Hill.

Overall within health IT, many employers are seeking professionals with previous experience working in enterprise environments, as well as strong analytical and problem solving skills, she said.

"These aren't entry level positions, but jobs demanding experienced people," she said.

Among employers looking to fill health IT jobs include Sharp Healthcare in San Diego, UnitedHealth in Minneapolis, and Baylor Health in Dallas, according to a Dice spokeswoman. Open positions at those organizations include health IT program and project mangers, and senior systems analyst.

The hunt for experienced health IT people could get tougher as Meaningful Use deadlines loom, and newly installed EHR, computerized physician order entry, and other clinical information systems require ongoing support and enhancements, Hill said.

"I don't think this is a bubble," she said.

In fact, the U.S. government has predicted a shortage of 50,000 health IT workers in coming years. The HITECH Act also allotted funding for workforce development and training, including programs involving community colleges across the country.

In addition, private organizations have been also stepping up with new programs to train an emerging health IT workforce. Recent offerings range from new certificate programs for health IT implementation and support technicians from professional organization CompTIA to online training EHR courses for techies and non-techies from private educational firm Alameda Services.

Meanwhile, historically, the ups and downs Dice.com has seen in demand of particular skill sets often have been a trailer for larger trends in the works, said Hill.

In the past "we saw mobile was getting hot" months before skills related to the technology were demanded by large numbers of employers across many industries, she said.

"By the time you put jobs up for posting, employers have to have a budget and plan in place" to utilize those demanded skills and technologies, she said.

Original Article Appeared in Information Week