HIPAA and Network Security
Curriculum
This curriculum consists of an overview/syllabus and 11 lesson plans
Week 10
Developed by
NORTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
for the IT for Healthcare Short Certificate Program
Funded by the Seattle Community-Based Health Care Partnership Project
This product was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. All references to
non-Seattle CENTRAL Community College
NORTH Seattle Community College
SOUTHSeattle Community College
Lesson 10 Job Roles/Opportunities and Professional Organizations
Opportunities in the area of health informatics are abundant. Now more than ever before the opportunity for growth and advancement is unlimited in a dynamic, evolving, and challenging environment. There are so many areas that one can choose from, whether to be in an acute care setting, like a hospital, or in an ambulatory setting – if you decide to specialize in pharmacology, nursing, or radiology – or if you go into the healthcare information system from the IT end.
The clinical software now being mandated for all healthcare facilities is vital to the success of every healthcare endeavor. In the last few years, the clinical/health
information systems have become a major driver in care delivery. More physicians are entering information systems organizations to support these efforts. The increased numbers of clinicians have increased the need for leadership. These leasers are needed to define, develop, install, consult, and market these systems.
Technology has advanced rapidly. It has significantly facilitated complex interfaces, communication, and networking of diverse systems, not only across the continuum of care, but also across the complexities of integrated delivery networks and alliances. Data collected through sophisticated healthcare systems are now available across the
healthcare enterprise. The role of the healthcare worker has evolved to take advantage of the technology and in many cases, drive the technology.
The ability to learn on the job, communicates effectively, and exercise patience are important skills. Leaving the bedside to move into the development of patient care-related systems is a viable transition, but the prospective candidate must be comfortable leaving patient care. To make this transition the healthcare worker must also become a facilitator and user of resources without necessarily having control or authority over those resources.
Education is the key to moving up into leadership roles. Certificates will gain you entry level into the healthcare field in positions that require IT skills, such as Medical Records Clerk, Unit Coordinator, and Patient Coordinators in registration/intake/admissions. An Associates degree will open the door further by giving you entry level positions into IT, on the Helpdesk or Operations. If you combine the Associates with a healthcare
certificate (LPN, MA, etc) you will be eligible to apply for positions such as in Clinical IT Support, Junior Application Coordinator/Analyst, and Junior Project Managers. The completion of a bachelor’s degree is vital in moving up the ladder. Many healthcare workers today continue their education to obtain a master’s degree in clinical specialties or in business to get an extra boost toward not only a future leadership role in information systems management, but also an executive role.
Once you are in the field, one way to move ahead is to act as a user liaison on any information systems steering committees. Even if you are an entry level healthcare
worker, make yourself a super user. (Users who deal with first-line support problems and queries . This is typically in specific application areas, or geographical locations, where there is not the requirement for full-time support staff.) Another way is to market new systems within the hospital and use the work experience to transition into a new career in information systems. The experience gained, combined with your healthcare experience may carry you into the informatics field.
Volunteering for opportunities on information systems projects is also a smart way to gain experience and exposure. Get to know the IT mentors. Another valuable
“nonfactual job experience” is getting involved with vendors and user committees and attending national conferences. (A bit later we will cover some of the most recognized professional health informatics organizations which sponsor these types of conferences.)
Health Informatics jobs can be divided into many different categories and subcategories Let’s take a look at a few of the jobs out there.
User Liaison/Account Manager
When a clinical information system is installed in an integrated delivery network, it is necessary to coordinate the needs of the institution and staff with the capabilities of the system. Usually, a systems steering committee is formed. Participating in the steering committee is an excellent way to gain systems knowledge and exposure and to interact with hospital wide users, vendors, consultants, and administrators. Duties of the steering committee also include needs analysis, participation in the selection of the systems, definition of the systems, and coordination of installation.
The job role of user liaison includes teaching, accurate and complete documenting and developing efficient and effective methods of patient care delivery with a step by step problem solving approach after being training on the new system
Clinical Systems Installation/Vendor
There is a growing need for candidates qualified to install various component of medical information, order entry, communication, productivity, acuity, and staffing systems. An installation person is often on the market team during and after the sale of a software package. The main task of the installer is to train the users and help them over the rough spot during and after conversion to the new system. Additionally, the installer must be a negotiator and liaison, acting as the bridge between the user and the software vendor.
Working for the software vendor adds a new dimension. The job entails being an advocate of the user’s position and needs while ensuring that the system is installed according to the design parameters. These positions often require 50 percent or more traveling time, a solid understanding of how the components of an integrated delivery network operate, excellent communication and presentation skills, and a solid
understanding of systems. The vendor does give training, and many companies give as much as 6 months of training.
Product Manager/Vendor
Product management is one of the most exciting professional moves that have become available in the last few years. The responsibilities of product management and production definition are loosely defined and can change from vendor to vendor. The duties often overlap into marketing. This is a position that is also available in house via the IT department in the integrated delivery network side.
A person in product management is responsible for constantly updating the current product and keeping abreast of all developments in the field. Product managers must be cognizant of the current and future needs of the clients and determine whether these needs can be or should be incorporated into the product. Product managers must interface with marketing staff, clients, technical staff, and management personnel to produce usable and marketable product in a timely manner and at the best price. They must satisfy the needs of one client without compromising the needs of other clients or
capabilities of the technical staff. This position generally begins as a staff role requiring excellent communication and negotiation skills. Success in this position can lead to high-level strategic planning position with expanding responsibilities and compensation.
Marketing Support/Vendor
Market support is defined differently by various organizations. The classic definition involves technical sales support to the salespeople and additional explanations to the client. With so many patient care and ancillary system in development healthcare workers are needed to assist in closing the sale.
To be a good marketer, it is important to listen closely to the needs of clients.
Discovering the reasons why software products answer the needs of the clients is very important. Market support personnel must possess excellent written and oral
communication skills and understand the marketing cycle. They must be able to identify the decision makers.
Consultant
All of the information systems consulting firms have healthcare workers in informatics roles. The ideal candidate for a consulting firm has excellent written and oral
communication skills, and a sound knowledge of systems. Consultant should be analytical problem solvers, independent, creative, and assertive.
Consulting is a high pressure field. Projects can range from needs analysis and selection of vendors, to strategic planning, cost-benefit studies, and system audits.
Quality Improvement
Quality Improvement deals with a combination of clinical and information technologies. Sophisticated organizations recognize how important the role of data is in process
improvement. For this reason, there is an increasing emphasis put on how to get the data necessary to measure outcomes and the effects of process improvement
This field requires clinical, personal, and technical skills. With regard to clinical skills, a well-rounded clinical background with an understanding of the importance of the
continuum of care is desired. Quality improvement clearly involves process
improvements that span across the continuum of care. Personal skills must also include a passion for excellence and the interpersonal skills to negotiate with caregivers. The technical skills necessary in order to be successful require understanding data and how to retrieve data. A sound knowledge of the existing systems and how they interface enable the Quality Improvement Specialist to identify where data can be found and to verify the reliability of the data.
Analyst
Health care information system analysts are responsible for a wide range of activities related to the successful automation of information management. They may be clinicians who became involved in the system selection an training. Many learned their role on the job and furthered their education by taking computer or information science classes. Analysts interview staff, determine user needs, write specifications for software
performance, participate in some computer programming and debugging, implement new automated functions, perform upgrades on current software, and document program specifications and changes. Analysts who lack a clinical background may not be paid well initially (depending what part of the information system they are supporting), but with experience and additional preparation their earning potential increases.
Trainer
Trainers are responsible for educating clinical users in one or more applications an may also be required to define and monitor user competencies. Trainers may or may not have a clinical background but have knowledge of the specific computer application that they are teaching. This role may be filled as a permanent position or may be done by other information system or clinical staff.
Project Manager
The Project Manger is the person who has the overall responsibility for the successful planning and execution of any project. The Project Manager must possess a combination of skills including an ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions and resolve interpersonal conflicts as well as more systematic management skills. Key
success and that this risk must be both formally and informally measured throughout the lifetime of the project. A good Project Manager can reduce risk significantly, often by adhering to a policy of open communication, ensuring that every significant participant has an opportunity to express opinions and concerns. Project Managers often use project management software to organize their tasks and workforce and to create reports and charts.
Professional Organizations
The International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) is an independent
organization established under Swiss law in 1989. The organization was established in 1967 as Technical Committee 4 of the International Federation for Information
Processing (IFIP). In 1979, it evolved from a Special Interest Group of IFIP to its current status as a fully independent organization. IMIA continues to maintain its relationship with IFIP as an affiliate organization.
The organization also has close ties with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a NGO (Non Government Organization).
The working language of IMIA is English.
Purpose, Goals, Objectives:
IMIA plays a major global role in the application of information science and technology in the fields of healthcare and research in medical, health and bio informatics. The basic goals and objectives of the association are to:
• promote informatics in health care and research in health, bio and medical informatics.
• advance and nurture international cooperation.
• to stimulate research, development and routine application.
• move informatics from theory into practice in a full range of health delivery settings, from physician's office to acute and long term care.
• further the dissemination and exchange of knowledge, information and technology.
• promote education and responsible behavior.
• represent the medical and health informatics field with the World Health
Organization and other international professional and governmental organizations.
• moving theory into practice by linking academic and research informaticians with care givers, consultants, vendors, and vendor-based researchers.
• leading the international medical and health informatics communities throughout the 21st century.
• promoting the cross-fertilization of health informatics information and knowledge across professional and geographical boundaries.
• serving as the catalyst for ubiquitous worldwide health information infrastructures for patient care and health research.
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the
healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., Brussels, and other locations across the United States and Europe, HIMSS represents more than 20,000 individual members and over 300 corporate
members that collectively represent organizations employing millions of people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to ensuring quality patient care.
HIMSS Vision
Advancing the best use of information and management systems for the betterment of health care.
HIMSS Mission
To lead change in the healthcare information and management systems field through knowledge sharing, advocacy, collaboration, innovation, and community affiliations.
In 1992, American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA) provided the first opportunity for informatics nurses in Southern California to meet and network. It has since grown to be a non-profit organization with members across the United States sharing common interests in informatics.
ANIA's Mission...is to provide networking, education and information resources that enrich and strengthen the roles of nurses in the field of informatics. The field of nursing informatics includes domains of clinical information, education and administration decision support. ANIA's Purpose is to provide professional networking opportunities for nurses working in healthcare informatics and a forum for the advancement of nursing and nursing professional in informatics.
The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) plays a pivotal role in the transformation of the US health system and makes measurable contributions to the improvement of health of the nation through continued development and implementation of health information technology. AMIA is an integrating force that strengthens the nation’s ability to create and manage the science and knowledge base of health care. AMIA is active in the development of global health information policy and technology with particular emphasis on using health information technology to meet the health needs of underserved populations.
Puget Sound Nursing Informatics (PSNI) promotes nursing informatics through
networking and educational opportunities. Their mission is to provide their members with networking, education and information resources that enrich their roles in Nursing Informatics. PSNI members include nurses and other healthcare professionals from hospitals and clinics throughout the Puget Sound region; over twenty healthcare organizations are represented by our members.
Professional Organizations are a wonderful resource. They provide networking,
resources, educational resources, and a place to go and share your work experience. This is a place to learn from others who have dealt with similar experiences.
Assignment and Lab for Lesson 10:
Assignment:
Your committee is charged with setting up a computer system that will automate
transcription of physician orders and reporting of results. Identify the support personnel that you need at this point and write job descriptions for each identified position.
- Have staff who do the everyday work identify the current workflow
- Meet with staff and IT to discuss design an data that needs to be exchanged among systems
- Get physician and medical record approval for the data
- Need: Workflow analyst/clinical liaison; Application Analyst, IT Programmer, Physician and Medical Records Representative or an Account Manager
Lab
Have the class work on assignment for this week’s lab, and encourage class to work on project as final is coming up.
