Become a Top Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist in New Hampshire: A Step-by-Step Guide
Interested in becoming a certified electronic health record specialist in New Hampshire? Our guide covers the vital steps to attaining CEHRS certification, the significance of the role in healthcare, and the employment outlook in New Hampshire. Begin your journey by exploring the required training and what to anticipate in the certification process.
Key Takeaways
- The University of New Hampshire offers a self-paced CEHRS training program that prepares students for the NHA certification exam, with the exam fee included in the course tuition.
- CEHRS certification equips individuals with essential skills in EHR systems, enhances professional credibility, and opens up career opportunities in the healthcare industry, with roles that can be rewarding both professionally and financially.
- Financial aid is available for CEHRS students through scholarship programs and other funding options, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent interested candidates from pursuing this educational path.
Pathway to CEHRS Certification in New Hampshire
Your path to becoming a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) in New Hampshire starts with enrolling in a CEHRS training program.
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire offers a course specifically designed to prepare students for the nationally recognized CEHRS designation through the National Healthcare Association (NHA). This self-paced, open-enrollment program can be started anytime and completed within six months. However, if a student needs more time, they can request an extension at an additional fee.
The comprehensive course curriculum encompasses numerous facets of electronic health record management, such as charting, HIPAA compliance, insurance, and billing. It also includes training in vocabulary patient visit management, follow-up care, prescriptions, maintaining medication and allergy records, and health records interpretation. Additionally, the course covers disaster recovery HIPAA requirements, ensuring students are well-prepared to set up appropriate EHR systems and practice management systems for their practices, qualify for the NHA’s CEHRS certification exam, and improve personal health record communication with patients and medical staff, while managing personal health records effectively.
The CEHRS certification exam is a comprehensive test, comprising 110 multiple-choice questions, which candidates must complete within 1 hour and 50 minutes at a PSI testing center. Eligibility for the exam requires candidates to have completed a preparatory course that includes access to study materials and practice exams provided by the NHA. Successful completion of the CEHRS course at the University of New Hampshire provides a certificate of completion and eligibility to sit for the NHA certification exam.
What’s more, the preparatory course tuition fee includes the cost of the CEHRS certification exam, taking a financial load off your shoulders as you step into this exciting field.
Southern New Hampshire University
Program Overview:
- SNHU offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Information Management which prepares students for careers in managing electronic health records (EHRs) and other health data systems.
- The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), ensuring high academic standards in the field.
Key Program Features:
- Courses cover essential topics such as health information technology, coding and classification systems, healthcare data management, medical terminology, and healthcare reimbursement.
- The program offers hands-on learning through professional practice experiences and a capstone project.
- Graduates are prepared to work in roles such as clinical information specialist, health information analyst, or database administrator.
Southern New Hampshire University’s online BS in Health Information Management equips students with the skills to manage electronic health records, offers eligibility for the RHIA certification, and prepares them for various roles in health data management with hands-on, practical learning experiences.
This program offers comprehensive training that combines the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) program with a focus on Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) certification and medical terminology. It is designed to give you a competitive edge in healthcare by equipping you with key skills in electronic health records (EHR) management and medical office administration.
NHTI Concord Community College
Program Overview
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) Training: You will learn how to manage EHR systems effectively in a variety of healthcare settings, including ambulatory care, hospitals, and clinics. This includes understanding how EHR systems store and organize patient data, how staff and patients interact with these systems, and the benefits of transitioning from traditional paper records to digital EHRs.
- EHR System Implementation: Gain knowledge of the steps required to implement an EHR system in medical practice, covering topics such as patient record creation, data input, and system management to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
- Medical Office Management: Learn how to handle the administrative aspects of healthcare, such as scheduling appointments, managing patient visits, and maintaining accurate health records. This includes billing, coding, and other important office tasks that are integral to EHR systems.
- Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Considerations: Understand the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with handling sensitive patient information in an EHR system, ensuring compliance with healthcare laws like HIPAA.
- Patient Interaction with EHR Systems: Learn how EHR systems help track important patient data such as allergies, medications, and health histories to improve patient care and streamline office operations.
Benefits Related to Certified EHRs:
- Hands-on Knowledge: Develop the ability to read and interpret health records accurately, ensuring that vital patient information is well-maintained and accessible.
- Professional Skills: Learn how to manage EHR systems to enhance patient care, streamline office procedures, and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Career Opportunities: This certification will prepare you for roles such as a health information clerk, medical records coordinator, electronic medical records technician, or electronic medical records specialist.
This program will not only equip you with the practical skills required to manage Electronic Health Records but will also provide you with a solid foundation in medical terminology and administrative tasks, making you highly versatile in a medical setting.
Advantages of Being a CEHRS in the Healthcare Industry
Achieving a certified electronic health records specialist certification unlocks numerous opportunities in the healthcare industry. As electronic health records specialists, you will:
- Play a pivotal role in ensuring the security and accuracy of patient data
- Provide critical support in patient information management
- Enhance the integrity of healthcare documentation
Your expertise will be sought after in a variety of healthcare settings, with the potential for remote work and competitive salaries that vary based on experience and location.
The importance of maintaining the accuracy, security, and compliance of digital patient information cannot be overstated. With the healthcare industry’s growing demand for skills in managing digital health records, earning a CEHRS certification puts you right at the forefront. Your role will not only ensure the smooth functioning of healthcare facilities but also have a direct impact on patient care.
Additionally, as a CEHRS, you will be a part of the healthcare administration, which plays an integral part in the healthcare industry. Your role will involve:
- Liaising between healthcare providers, insurance professionals, and patients
- Acting as a bridge that ensures seamless communication and coordination
- Providing customer service and making a difference in people’s lives
This aspect of the role can be incredibly rewarding.
Furthermore, your skills as a CEHRS can:
- Encourage EHR adoption in healthcare facilities
- Contribute to the industry’s modernization efforts
- Ensure the effective implementation and use of EHR systems
- Play a part in advancing the healthcare industry into the future.
Ultimately, the nationally recognized CEHRS designation enhances your professional credibility, making you an invaluable asset in the healthcare industry. Your expertise will be recognized and valued, opening up a myriad of career opportunities.
Mastering EHR Systems: Skills You’ll Acquire
As a CEHRS trainee, you will learn a broad spectrum of skills vital to the healthcare industry. One of the primary skills is the ability to:
- Maintain and operate EHR software
- Ensure the quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security of health information data
- Put you on the front lines of patient data management
- Play a critical role in maintaining healthcare documentation integrity
You will also be trained to abstract clinical information for reports, collect patient demographic and insurance information, and manage overall patient records. These skills will enable you to directly interact with patient data, contributing to the accurate and efficient functioning of healthcare facilities.
Additionally, your training in medical office administration will cover the use of classification systems for coding patient information and performing basic coding for reimbursement claims. This skill is essential for the financial aspects of healthcare administration, ensuring that healthcare providers are adequately reimbursed for their services.
Furthermore, your training will equip you with the skills to process ROI requests for medical records and review records for completion and accuracy, including auditing patient records. This care record ongoing training will put you in a position to ensure that patient records are accurate and complete, contributing to the quality of care patients receive.
Career Opportunities and Growth for CEHRS in New Hampshire
Pursuing a career as a health records specialist in New Hampshire is a strategic choice, given the field’s growth and opportunities. The employment of medical records specialists, including CEHRS, is expected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, with an even stronger growth rate of 16 percent projected from 2022 to 2032. This growth is driven by the increasing need for health information technologists and medical registrars to replace retiring workers or those changing jobs.
Annually, around 3,100 job openings are expected over the next decade in this field. This indicates a promising future for those choosing to pursue a career as a CEHRS. Moreover, the median annual wage for health information technologists and medical registrars was $58,250 as of May 2022, offering a stable and rewarding financial future.
Upon completing the course, students can explore various roles such as:
- Health information clerk
- Medical records coordinator
- Electronic medical records technician
- Electronic medical records specialist
- Medical transcriptionist
These diverse roles offer opportunities for growth and specialization in different areas of the healthcare industry.
However, while completing a CEHRS course equips students with the requisite skills for entry-level positions in electronic health records, it does not assure employment. Understanding the local job market is crucial. This is where the nationally recognized CEHRS designation comes into play, providing you with a competitive edge in the job market.
Financial Aid and Support for CEHRS Students
Embarking on a career as a CEHRS is a commitment to your future, and there are several financial aid options to help you make this investment. Various scholarship programs and awards are available to support students pursuing a CEHRS certification. The AHIMA Foundation offers a Merit Scholarship Program, providing financial assistance that varies depending on the degree level: $1,000 for associate’s, $1,500 for bachelor’s, $2,000 for master’s, and $2,500 for doctoral candidates in health information management.
For veterans, the AHIMA Foundation offers the Veteran’s Scholarship, providing up to $2,000 for veterans to pursue accredited health information management programs. This is a testament to the industry’s commitment to support and empower veterans by providing them with opportunities to build rewarding careers in healthcare, in line with major federal initiatives.
Moreover, for those who do not meet scholarship criteria, financial assistance may still be available through vocational rehabilitation or workforce development boards, with some schools offering financing options. This ensures that financial constraints do not hinder your pursuit of a career as a CEHRS.
Preparing for the CEHRS Certification Exam
Preparation for the CEHRS certification exam is a pivotal phase in your progression toward becoming a certified electronic health records specialist. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the exam format, including the number of questions, time limit, and scoring system, to manage your time effectively during the exam. Regularly checking the NHA website will keep you informed about any updates or changes to the CEHRS exam content or format.
Using the detailed content outline provided by the NHA can help you understand the topics covered and structure your study plan. Collect reputable and up-to-date study materials such as textbooks, online courses, practice exams, and CEHRS exam prep books. Flashcards for important definitions, terms, and concepts can provide quick and effective learning reinforcement.
To ensure consistent information retention, it is important to adhere to a study schedule and set aside specific time for studying. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your study time:
- Focus on key topics that carry more weight in the exam and allocate more study time to areas with a higher percentage of questions.
- Practice exams are a great way to assess your knowledge, identify weak areas, and become accustomed to the exam format and time management.
- After completing practice exams, take the time to review and analyze your mistakes. Understand the reasoning behind each answer choice and make note of any patterns or common mistakes to avoid in the future.
By following these tips, you can optimize your study time and improve your chances of success on the exam.
Joining or forming study groups with others preparing for the CEHRS exam can provide additional insights and motivation.
Summary
Becoming a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a rewarding and promising career choice in the healthcare industry. From understanding the pathway to CEHRS certification in New Hampshire to mastering EHR systems, the career opportunities, growth, and financial aid available, we hope this blog post has provided you with the insights you need. The journey to becoming a CEHRS may be challenging, but the rewards and opportunities that await are worth the effort.
Explore Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist Opportunities in New England
If you’re considering a career as a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) in New England, our resources provide essential insights tailored to these states. From certification paths to training programs and job market trends, these guides help you navigate your career journey. Explore our pages for:
Each state-specific page offers details about the healthcare industry’s workforce needs, salary potential, and demand for CEHRS professionals, helping you make well-informed decisions as you pursue or advance your career in this growing field across New England.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do CEHRS professionals need to renew their certification in New Hampshire?
They must complete 10 continuing education credits and pay a renewal fee every two years.
What patient-related tasks are CEHRS professionals responsible for in New Hampshire healthcare settings?
They manage patient records, coordinate care, and maintain accurate medication and allergy lists.
What are the eligibility criteria for the CEHRS certification exam?
To be eligible for the CEHRS certification exam, you need to complete a preparatory course with access to study materials and practice exams provided by the NHA. Good luck with your exam preparation!