Health IT and eHealth Workforce Development

The transition to electronic health records creates job opportunities and training needs. As health care providers increasingly use electronic health records, new jobs will open up at electronic health record vendors, hospitals and medical practices. In addition, existing staff members in medical practices and hospitals will need to learn new skills to make decisions about, manage and use electronic health records. 

Massachusetts institutions of higher learning offer programs to meet a wide range of educational and training needs. Those programs vary in focus, intended audience and length. We have included information about many of those programs below. If you would like more information about a program, go to its website or reach out to the listed contact.

Note about a special opportunity: As part of the federal government’s efforts to speed the transition to electronic health records, free non-degree training programs are being offered through community colleges and universities across the country. As part of this effort, Bristol Community College is offering the six-month online HITECH Grant Program for Massachusetts residents. It is funded by the Office of the National Coordinator of Information Technology, which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Classes start every three months, with the last entering class under the grant program starting in March 2012.