Epic Credentials and Epic Certifications
Sheila Rogers, Founder and CEO
As a previous owner of an HIT consulting firm, and the current owner of Healthcare IT specific job boards, one of the questions I am routinely asked is the difference between EPIC Credentials and EPIC Certifications.
As the Healthcare IT Consultant and Hiring markets have been white hot recently, EPIC consultants and employees have been in high demand for quite some time. EPIC Systems offers software for a wide variety of clinical application. Healthcare IT employees and consultants can become certified or credentialed in many different applications. Here is the list from EPIC’s website:
•Ambulatory EMR
•Connecting Independent Physicians
•Connectivity
•Departments and Ancillaries
•EHR Certification
•Enterprise Reporting
•Haiku
•Inpatient Clinicals
•Integrated Foundation
•Interoperability
•Managed Care
•PHRs & Portals
•Practice Management
•Reg/ADT & Hospital Billing
•Specialties
Obviously, there are differences between certification and credentials.
EPIC Credentialing
Getting EPIC credentialed enables you to become an EPIC trainer. The credentialing process requires you to train with EPIC or an affiliated provider of EPIC services. Unlike EPIC certification, EPIC credentials are only valid for the institution for which you’re credentialed. If you move on to another institution, you have to become re-credentialed. The process requires not only training, but that you actually present sample lessons and gain EPIC’s approval.
EPIC Certification
EPIC certification is a somewhat complex process. Because there’s such a dynamic learning curve for EPIC software, you must spend several weeks in training (how many weeks depend on which EPIC discipline you choose). You may have to travel to Wisconsin to be trained at EPIC’s headquarters. Additionally, you’ll have to periodically get continuing education to ensure you’re on top of the latest changes and updates. However, once you’re EPIC certified, you can take that certification with you to any institution for which you decide to seek employment. You must be certified separately in each application, and you may want to choose multiple disciplines to make yourself more marketable.
Whether you choose credentialing or certification, the process will likely take several months. However, gaining one of these valuable designations is the first step to a financially and professionally rewarding career.
You can check out our current EPIC openings here.
-Sheila Rogers
Sheila Rogers is Founder and CEO of HIT Perm Jobs. She can be reached at sheila@hitpermjobs.com, or via telephone at 214-929-8959.
Tags: Epic, Epic Jobs, Health IT Jobs, Sheila Rogers Musings