AVONDALE, Arizona – As part of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, there are new rules that affect how, and if, health care professionals and organizations will get paid for patient services rendered. In order for these health providers to receive governmental compensation through Medicare and Medicaid, they must meet eligibility requirements established by the federally mandated Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, effective January 1, 2014.
Recognizing the critical need of preparing adequate training and staffing for this new electronic environment, the SouthWest Skill Center (SWSC) at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is launching a new program, Medical Records and Health Information Technician (MRHIT). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, MRHIT employment is expected to increase by 21% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
The first MRHIT cohort will begin classes on November 26, 2012 at the EMCC campus, located at Dysart and Thomas Roads in Avondale, Arizona. It is a three-month program with classes meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. This program is in partnership with MK Education and joins the other health-related programs offered through EMCC’s Workforce Training/Development.
“We are uniquely positioned to offer this program,” said Thomas Cotner, director of the SouthWest Skill Center at EMCC. “Our vast portfolio of allied health programs already has a reputation of industry relevancy and providing excellent, skilled graduates. This is just one more way we are meeting the dynamic needs of an evolving workforce in healthcare.”
Under this new federal mandate, eligible providers must adopt Electronic Health Records (EHR) technology and demonstrate “meaningful use” of that technology which includes new standards such as online access for patients to their health information and exchange of electronic health information between providers.
The national EHR system will organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.
“This course is not just for front office staff,” said Angie Nolan, MRHIT Instructor at EMCC. “Even doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and anyone involved in patient care and records would benefit from this program.”
The 100-hour course at EMCC is designed to introduce and prepare students for current Health Information Technology, and upon receiving their award of completion, will be qualified and eligible to take the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) exam offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
In the program, technician skills include the basic functions and training of EHR software, rules and regulations that govern the software and transferring of patient records and information, and systematic options. In addition to the 80 hours of classroom instruction, students will have 20 hours of EHR insurance simulation in a computer technology lab.
Students but must meet the eligibility requirements of a high school diploma or GED, comprehension of high school math and reading, be at least 18 years of age, and have no prior convictions, which are standards for most medical-related professionals.
For more information, contact 623-935-8961, estrellamountain.edu, or mkedu.org.