Your Guide to Becoming a Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist in Iowa

Pursuing a career as a certified electronic health record specialist in Iowa requires specific steps, certifications, and a comprehensive understanding of the field’s landscape. With this article, you’ll gain a direct outlook on the path to certification, the responsibilities that come with the title, and the promising career potential in Iowa’s health information technology sector. Simplify your journey towards CEHRS certification with our straightforward guide to the essential education and resources you need.

Key Takeaways

To become a Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) in Iowa, candidates must complete educational programs, pass the NHA certification exam, and engage in ongoing training to maintain their skills and compliance with healthcare advancements.
EHR Specialists are crucial in healthcare, tasked with managing patient records, ensuring documentation accuracy, and maintaining compliance with legal standards such as HIPAA, which ultimately support the financial and operational aspects of healthcare services.
The job market for EHR Specialists is growing, with a positive outlook and various roles available due to increased demand for health services, technological advances, and a focus on preventive care, thus making it a viable and expanding career path.

Pathway to Certification: Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) in Iowa

To become a health records specialist CEHRS, or a Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist, you need to embark on an educational journey that equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills. Iowa offers several programs to prepare you for this career. For instance, Iowa Western Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College District both offer programs tailored to prepare students for the CEHRS certification exam.

The CEHRS certification exam, administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), is a crucial step in your journey. Achieving a passing score on this exam validates your competency and readiness to perform electronic health record management in a professional setting.

The certification process doesn’t end with the exam. To effectively utilize electronic health records and maintain your certified electronic health record specialist status, care record ongoing training is essential. This not only keeps you updated with advancements in the field but also ensures you are competent in electronic health record management.

Western Iowa Tech Community College– Electronic Health Record Specialist

Degree Offered: Certificate in Health Information Technology
Credits Required: 17 credits
Location: Available at the Sioux City campus and online

Program Focus:

Students will learn to create, collect, manage, retrieve, and access medical records using electronic health record systems.
The program emphasizes the use of software to create and edit patient demographic and provider files within a medical setting.
Prepares students to organize and manage health information data, ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security.
Trains students in the use of classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement, databases, and registries, as well as to maintain patient medical histories.

Job Outlook: Graduates are prepared for roles as medical records and health information technicians.

The Health Information Technology Certificate at Western Iowa Tech Community College equips students with the skills to effectively manage and maintain electronic health records in medical settings, preparing them for entry-level positions in the healthcare industry.

Eastern Iowa Community College District

The Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) program focuses on equipping individuals with the skills needed to effectively manage and utilize electronic health records (EHRs) in a healthcare setting. Participants will be trained to maintain accurate and secure patient data, which is essential for providing quality care and supporting healthcare operations.

Program Details:

Course Length: 134 course hours
Duration: 6 months (self-paced, open enrollment)
Certification Voucher Included: Yes (for the CEHRS exam through the National Healthcareer Association)
Mode of Study: Self-paced online learning
Instructors: Rachael Delekta (MBA in Healthcare Administration, CEHRS) and Jennifer Della’Zanna (Healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience)

Key Learning Outcomes:

EHR Management: Learn how to manage patient records, arrange follow-up care, issue prescriptions, and maintain critical health data such as patient allergies and medications.
HIPAA Compliance: Understand the importance of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations and how to ensure compliance in electronic health record systems.
Patient Communication: Gain skills in effectively communicating with patients and handling public health information, including patient portals and personal health records.
Charting and Reporting: Learn how to audit health records, compile patient tracking reports, and coordinate the EHR systems that keep healthcare facilities functioning efficiently.

Program Benefits:

Certification Preparation: Prepares students for the CEHRS exam, allowing them to obtain national certification as an Electronic Health Records Specialist through the National Healthcareer Association.
Career Opportunities: Graduates are prepared for roles such as health information clerk, medical records coordinator, electronic medical records technician, and electronic medical records specialist.
Job Outlook: EHR specialists are in high demand, with an expected 8% job growth by 2029, driven by the growing need for healthcare services among an aging population.
Potential Salary: Median salary for certified EHR specialists is approximately $44,090 per year, with higher earning potential in hospitals.

Syllabus Overview:

Introduction to EHRs and CEHRS: Overview of electronic health records, their importance in healthcare, and the role of a Certified EHR Specialist.
EHR Framework: Understanding the architecture, hardware, software, and security controls involved in EHR systems.
HIPAA and EHR Compliance: How to navigate HIPAA requirements, including privacy and security rules.
Patient Management and Documentation: Best practices for managing patient visits, scheduling, coding, billing, and practice reports.
Disaster Recovery: Developing strategies for safeguarding health records and recovering data in the event of a system failure.
Ongoing EHR Training and Support: Continuous training and support for the use of EHR software in healthcare settings.

Program Requirements:

Technical: Requires access to a PC or Mac with an up-to-date operating system (Windows 8 or later, macOS 10.6 or later), and internet access with a compatible browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari).
Certification Requirements: To take the CEHRS exam, participants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and reside in the U.S.

Instructor Expertise:

Rachael Delekta: Over 10 years of experience in healthcare, focusing on medical records, customer service, and healthcare software.
Jennifer Della’Zanna: A healthcare professional with more than 20 years of experience in medical transcription, practice administration, billing, and coding, who also contributes to healthcare publications and education.

The Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) program prepares individuals to effectively manage electronic health records, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and security in healthcare settings, while offering a path to national certification and a rewarding career in the healthcare industry.

Electronic Health Records at Hawkeye Community College

System Used: The Student Health Clinic at Hawkeye Community College uses an electronic health record (EHR) system called Elation Health.
Services Provided:
- All medical history forms, screenings, consent forms, and other health-related documentation are completed online.
- Once an appointment is scheduled, students receive an email with a link to complete necessary online forms.
Elation Passport:
- This is an online portal provided through Elation Health, allowing students to access their medical records, care plans, and directly communicate with healthcare providers.
- Students can contact the Student Health Clinic to sign up for an Elation Passport account.
Healthcare Access:
- Appointments can be scheduled for in-person or via Tele Health with the nurse practitioner or licensed mental health counselor.
- The clinic provides regular hours during the fall semester, though the schedule may vary based on staff availability.

Hawkeye Community College offers the Elation Health electronic health record system, enabling students to manage their health information digitally through a user-friendly portal called Elation Passport. This system facilitates secure communication with healthcare providers and streamlined access to health records, contributing to efficient healthcare management on campus.

Taking the national certification exams can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation and resources, it becomes manageable. PSI Testing Center, for example, is recognized for administering certification exams and provides a reliable platform for CEHRS candidates to validate their skills.

The nationally recognized CEHRS designation offers several benefits:

Validates your skills
Increases your employability
Sets you apart in the competitive healthcare field
Encourages EHR adoption in healthcare facilities throughout Iowa and beyond.

The Role of an Electronic Health Records Specialist

As a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist, you play a crucial role in the healthcare system. Your primary responsibilities include:

Acquiring, analyzing, storing, and protecting patients’ digital records
Ensuring that healthcare services are properly documented
Managing important elements of patient visits
Arranging follow-up care
Issuing prescriptions
Tracking allergies and medications
Interpreting and managing health records to ensure they are accurate and updated

One of your key responsibilities is maintaining compliance with laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This involves vocabulary patient visit management, which includes:

Ensuring the confidentiality and security of personal health records through proper personal health record communication
Keeping patient records securely
Making patient records easily accessible to authorized healthcare professionals.

By serving as a link between healthcare providers and insurance or billing offices, you play a key role in the financial side of healthcare. As an EHR specialist, you ensure accurate charges and reimbursements for healthcare services, improving care delivery and healthcare equity through meticulous data management.

The role of an Electronic Health Records Specialist is vast and varied. Whether it’s auditing patient records, maintaining healthcare documentation integrity, or submitting reimbursement claims, each task is crucial and contributes to the efficient functioning of healthcare facilities.

Integrating Technology in Healthcare: Electronic Health Record Specialist EHR Systems

Technology is transforming healthcare, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are at the forefront of this revolution. These systems are key for:

Increasing efficiency in healthcare delivery
Enhancing the accuracy of record-keeping
Allowing the storage and sharing of comprehensive patient information.

The integration of EHRs in healthcare has been significantly advanced by major federal initiatives, which also support research registries. The Federal Health Information Technology Strategic Plan and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act/Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (ARRA/HITECH) Act introduced financial incentives and meaningful use criteria.

These federal guidelines require providers to utilize EHRs for tasks like e-prescribing, data exchange, and reporting quality data. This has dramatically increased the adoption of EHR systems and practice management systems across the healthcare industry.

The security and privacy of EHRs are paramount. Federal protections established by HIPAA and augmented by technical, administrative, and physical safeguards ensure unauthorized access and breaches are prevented. In this context, adhering to disaster recovery HIPAA requirements is crucial for maintaining the integrity of electronic health records.

In conclusion, integrating technology in healthcare through EHR systems not only improves efficiency and accuracy but also enhances patient care. It’s a key reason why becoming an Electronic Health Records Specialist is a promising career choice.

Career Opportunities and Growth For Electronic Health Record Specialist

The career outlook for Certified Electronic Health Record Specialists is promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical records specialists, including CEHRS, was $47,180 as of May 2022.

The job market for medical practice professionals is growing faster than the average for all occupations, with employment projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032. This growth can be attributed to an increased demand for health services, advances in health technologies, and a greater emphasis on preventive care.

Not only is the field growing, but it also offers numerous job opportunities. An estimated 15,000 job openings for medical records specialists are projected each year on average over the decade, due in part to workforce turnover such as retirements or career changes.

There are a variety of roles available for Certified Electronic Health Record Specialists, including electronic health records specialists. These roles include:

Health information clerk
Medical records coordinator
Electronic medical records technician
Electronic medical records specialist

The opportunities in this field are vast and varied, making it a promising career choice for those interested in healthcare and technology.

Preparing for Success: Resources and Support

To succeed in your journey to becoming a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist, there are numerous resources and support available. For example, Eastern Iowa Community College District offers an online course tailored for individuals aiming to become CEHRS. This course covers essential topics such as:

Charting
Understanding HIPAA compliance
Managing electronic health records
Insurance and billing procedures

This comprehensive coverage ensures that you are well prepared for the responsibilities and challenges of a career as an EHR specialist, including practice reports coding.

Taking the certification exams can be daunting, but resources like the PSI Testing Center can help make the process manageable. Recognized for administering certification exams, PSI is a crucial resource for Electronic Health Record Specialist CEHRS candidates upon completion of their training. Preparation for the certification exam is not only about studying but also about problem-solving and understanding the application of the knowledge gained. This is where resources such as technical support and instructor-provided answers to frequently asked questions come in. These resources can assist you in your preparation and problem-solving, ensuring that you are well-prepared for the exam.

In conclusion, preparing for success as a CEHRS requires dedication, commitment, and the right resources. With the support available and the right mindset, you can navigate your way to becoming a successful Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist.

Summary

Becoming a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist offers a rewarding and fulfilling career in the ever-evolving healthcare industry. With the right education, certification, and resources, you can contribute to patient care and healthcare efficiency. The demand for this profession is growing, and with a variety of roles available, it offers numerous career opportunities. So why wait? Start your journey today and make a difference in healthcare!

Discover Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist Opportunities in the Midwest

If you’re considering a career as a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) in the Midwest, our resources offer valuable insights tailored to these states. From certification requirements to training programs and job market trends, these guides help you explore your career options. Check out our pages for:

Each state-specific page provides detailed information on the healthcare landscape, salary expectations, and demand for CEHRS professionals, helping you make informed decisions as you build or advance your career in this growing field across the Midwest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are internships available to aspiring EHR professionals in Iowa?

Yes, community colleges such as Eastern Iowa Community College offer internships to provide practical, hands-on experience.

What healthcare facilities in Iowa hire CEHRS-certified professionals?

Hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and public health departments are the main employers for EHR specialists in Iowa.

What coding systems should EHR professionals be familiar with in Iowa?

Proficiency in ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems is required, especially for roles that involve billing and insurance documentation.