Electronic Health Record (EHR) Specialist

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Specialists are responsible for managing and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs). They work with healthcare providers to ensure that EHRs are accurate, complete, and up-to-date. EHR Specialists also play a role in developing and implementing new EHR systems.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of an EHR Specialist include:

• Managing and maintaining EHRs
• Working with healthcare providers to ensure that EHRs are accurate, complete, and up-to-date
• Developing and implementing new EHR systems
• Training healthcare providers on how to use EHRs
• Troubleshooting EHR problems
• Ensuring that EHRs are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations

Education and Training

Most EHR Specialists have a bachelor's degree in health information management or a related field. Some employers may also require EHR Specialists to have certification from a nationally recognized organization, such as the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Salary

The salary for an EHR Specialist can vary depending on their experience, education, and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for health information technicians was $43,730 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,330, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,760.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for EHR Specialists is expected to be good over the next few years. The increasing use of EHRs in healthcare is expected to lead to a growing demand for qualified EHR Specialists.

Work Environment

EHR Specialists typically work in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office. They may also work for health insurance companies or other organizations that use EHRs.

Challenges

Some of the challenges that EHR Specialists may face include:

• Keeping up with the latest changes in EHR technology
• Ensuring that EHRs are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations
• Troubleshooting EHR problems
• Working with healthcare providers who may not be familiar with EHRs

Personal Qualities

Successful EHR Specialists typically have the following personal qualities:

• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of health information management
• Experience with EHRs

Projects

Some of the projects that EHR Specialists may work on include:

• Developing and implementing new EHR systems
• Training healthcare providers on how to use EHRs
• Troubleshooting EHR problems
• Ensuring that EHRs are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations

Career Growth

EHR Specialists can advance their careers by:

• Gaining experience with different EHR systems
• Earning certification from a nationally recognized organization
• Pursuing a graduate degree in health information management
• Moving into a management role

Transferable Skills

The skills that EHR Specialists develop can be transferred to other careers in the healthcare industry, such as:

• Health information management
• IT
• Medical records
• Healthcare administration

Self-Guided Projects

Students who are interested in becoming EHR Specialists can prepare for this career by completing self-guided projects, such as:

• Learning about EHRs by reading books, articles, and online resources
• Shadowing an EHR Specialist
• Volunteering at a healthcare organization that uses EHRs
• Taking online courses in health information management or EHRs

Online Courses

Online courses can be a helpful way to learn about EHRs and prepare for a career as an EHR Specialist. Online courses can provide students with the opportunity to:

• Learn about EHRs at their own pace
• Access course materials from anywhere with an internet connection
• Interact with other students and instructors online
• Gain hands-on experience with EHR software

However, it is important to note that online courses alone are not enough to prepare someone for a career as an EHR Specialist. Students who are interested in this career should also gain experience by shadowing an EHR Specialist, volunteering at a healthcare organization that uses EHRs, and taking on self-guided projects.