The health care industry continues to experience growing pains as it strives to implement information technology (IT) solutions to manage its growing data needs. Health care organizations need to have an electronic health record (EHR) system up and running or face the risk of stringent penalties by 2015. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that during 2012 to 2014, the HIT job market will grow approximately 24% each year. Dice.com states that during 2011 to 2012, HIT jobs increased by18%, and health data positions are expected to grow over 20% from 2010 to 2020.The federal government through its Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology (HIT), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will spend approximately $118 million during 2010 to 2015 to train nearly 40,000 HIT workers to fill the increasing demand for health care savvy IT workers.
HIT skills include both clinical and managerial aspects. A combination of IT skills and how health care organization function are necessary for success in the fast paced HIT marketplace. Managing IT projects including systems, networks, and data systems are core functions expected of health care IT professionals. Managing projects such as implementing an EMR are highly sought after skills.
According to Richard Katz, CEO HRMS, West Hollywood California, the number one set of skills for HIT professionals is project management. Biomedical Informatics includes database management, management information systems skills, telecommunications skills and project management skills. Project management skills have been employed for thousands of years. When the pyramids were built they didn’t just put some blocks together, they developed a plan that addressed the scope, had a set amount of time to complete the project, and had a budget. The HIT project management team usually consists of well-trained individuals who complete the tasks that make the finished project a success. Scope, time, budget, and quality are crucial elements for HIT project managers. The project management processes include initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Project management knowledge areas include: integration; scope; time; cost; quality; human resources; communications; risk; procurement; and stakeholder management.
As an assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (COM) Biomedical Informatics Program (M.S.B.I.), I am frequently asked, what skills students will learn in NSU’s M.S.B.I. Program. When I explain that students take required courses such as Management Information Systems in Health Care and Clinical Decision Support Systems to build knowledge and skills in the areas HIT, and Information Systems Project Management in Health Care where students learn project management science, they are pleased, and seem eager to learn more about the NSU M.S.B.I. Program.
