In response to the growing state and nation-wide industry need for a skilled workforce in the Health Information Management profession, Miami Dade College, Medical Center Campus, has established a program to prepare graduates as Healthcare Informatics Specialists.
In a revolutionary effort to improve the way patient data is accurately maintained in a variety of health care settings, the medical industry is undergoing a historical transition from traditional paper records to digital records. Healthcare Informatics Specialists must be trained to ensure that information management standards are consistently applied across the various systems within healthcare organizations.
According to estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Education, and independent studies, there is currently a shortfall of approximately 51,000 qualified health Information Technology (IT) workers. Within the next five years, trained personnel in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) field will be in high demand at hospitals and physician offices throughout the United States as they adopt electronic medical records systems. With technological advances and new federal legislation proposed and ruled under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, including the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HiTech) Act, there will be a need for information to be solely computer-generated and analyzed for compliance. The increased need for Healthcare Informatics Specialists is expected to grow in Florida and across the nation as legislation will require physician practices to move to an electronic format. Therefore, the need for additional education in Healthcare Informatics provides a unique opportunity for Miami Dade College to play an increasingly vital role in boosting the quality of life for many South Floridians, while addressing the shortage and future need of workers. Graduates will be provided a continuum of technical, supervisory, and management skills necessary to meet workforce needs and labor market projections for Healthcare Informatics Specialists.
The primary goal of the Healthcare Informatics Specialist Certificate Program at Miami Dade College is to train individuals for employment in the health record environment, which will be provided by offering an 18 credit hour College Credit Certificate designed to prepare graduates as Healthcare Informatics Specialists. Students will learn the concept of collection of health information, integration of technology into the management of health records, basic concepts in health data management, and database management in a healthcare setting. They will also be introduced to topics such as privacy, confidentiality, and security of electronic health records with analysis of electronic information for performance, compliance, and reporting of health data to improve healthcare.
The program began in February 2011. Graduates of the program will have the option to continue their education at Miami Dade College, Medical Center Campus, in the Medical Coder Biller or Medical Assisting career certificate programs, or enter the Health Information Management Technology program, or pursue any health-related Associate in Science degrees.
