How to switch from IT to Healthcare IT – The Essential Job Skills

C.P. { immuno-padding: 10px }

Yep, you read it right…circle circle dot dot – Cootie Protection. Hospitals are incubators for all things viral and bacterial (because all the sick people are there! ) You will be exposed to the nasty bugs that are passing through your community at any given time. Make sure that your immunizations are up to date – including Hepatitis B (HepB), Tetanus and Diptheria (Tdap), Varicella (Chicken Pox), Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), and the seasonal/H1N1 flu shots for good measure. It is also time to hone up on those hand-washing skills.

Brainpower { smartz-index:1 }

Dummies need not apply. Where you get those smarts is usually a mixed bag of nature and nurture.
Genetics – Not much you can really do here. It’s already too late. Thanks Mom and Dad (tone directly correlated to IQ)!
Experience – The more that you have dealt with database architectures, SQL, stored procedures, crystal reports, or business intelligence; the better. Healthcare experience, though not always a prerequisite, is certainly a plus in your favor. Even weekend volunteering in the pharmacy or lab at your local hospital could provide some significant insight. And no…your merit badge for first aid does not count.
Certification -  CPHIMS, CPHIE, CPHIT, CPEHR, CISSP, CCNA, and RHIT, RHIA, and PMP are some of the technical certifications that employers are looking for. Feel free to pick just one, but CPHIMS seems to be the emerging standard.
Education – Most Healthcare IT jobs require at least a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in healthcare or information technology. Advanced degrees such as an MBA, MPH, MSN, or MS in IT /IS can help you get your foot in the door. If at all possible, become intimately familiar with HL7 , interface engines (Rhapsody, Ensemble, Corepoint, e*Gate, JCAPS), and standardized medical classifications like SNOMED CT and LOINC. And while you’re out looking for some light reading, peruse these topics as well: EHR, EMR, PHR, HIPAA, CCR, CCD,  CDA, DICOM, ARRA, HITECH, CCHIT, JCAHO, CMS, and RACS.

Perverse Affinity for Abbrs. { letter-usage: -1em }

There are over 35 abbreviations in the previous section.

Legit { background-check: #ffffff }

A clean and untainted background is imperative. Many facilities will check:  crendentials (academic degrees, certifications, professional licenses, etc.), criminal history and identity (Federal, State, and Local and International where appropriate), employment references, consumer credit reports, social security number traces, motor vehicle driving history, as well as the sex offender registry. Many also provide drug testing prior to offering an interview.

Humor { font-family: “Comic Sans MS”, Wingdings }

When you are involved in a heated discussion about the 12 possible colors of urine, you will understand why this is important. Or…you will cry yourself to sleep every night thinking about magenta…ouch.

Well-honed Non-verbals { facial-display:none }

People will ask you for crazy stuff like: the ability to send an email to someone who’s mailbox is full, or to change the UI font in your software vendor’s code, or to redo/undo the 2 days worth of changes you just completed for the 3rd time, or to stop by and fix their home computer. You have to be diligent. Under no circumstance can you cry, grimace, sigh heavily, or roll your eyes.  I repeat, there is no crying in Healthcare IT.

Tight Lips { chart-visibility: hidden }

Healthcare IT systems contain incredibly private and personal data including: social security numbers, diagnoses, medications, psychiatric conditions, etc.  There are strict privacy laws with incredibly stiff penalties surrounding patient medical records. So don’t go peeking at Steve Jobs’ medical record to see if he really does have pancreatic cancer. You will be terminated. You can’t even look at your own medical record with out a consent on file.

Ears { workflow-style-type: inherit }

Clinicians are your primary customer and by nature a tough lot. You need to understand that your computer system is only one of the many tools that clinicians have to master to take care of their patients. You are entering a world where patient safety is king, workflow is queen, and the UI is the one-eyed jack.  You must listen, pay attention, and choose your questions wisely.  Figure out that work flow, design everything around it, and you will be duly rewarded.  Force the clinicians to change their workflow to fit your software and you might have a rebellion on your hands.

Humility { ego-transform: lowercase }

At some point during your healthcare career, you will screw up. Maybe no one dies, but you will make a mistake that has the potential to hurt someone. Realize that doctors and nurses are constantly making potentially life-altering decisions based off of the information your systems help collect, store, and distribute. When you make a mistake, immediately man up. Admit it and get to fixing it.

Balance { mind-clear:both }

Healthcare is a curious and wonderful beast. Constantly dealing with sickness, death, dying, and all manner of bodily fluids can wreak havoc on the psyche. Being able to maintain a healthy balance of work and home life is imperative.