CERTIFICATE
The health records information technology certificates are designed to quickly train students in the kind of computerized health information systems that are being installed by hospitals and medical and dental offices across the country. These IT systems make it possible for health care providers to better manage patient care through secure use and sharing of health information in electronic form. The electronic systems are replacing inefficient paper records and allow health providers to quickly review and update a patient's medical history, which can be shared electronically as patients move to other health systems and/or to other geographic locations. Students completing these programs will support the IT systems that are in place in various health care related facilities.
Cosumnes River College has implemented three certificates. The Health Records IT Implementation Support Specialist Certificate will train students to provide on-site user support for the period of time before and during implementation of health records IT systems in clinical and public health settings. These individuals will provide support services, above and beyond what is provided by the vendor, to be sure the technology functions properly and is configured to meet the needs of the redesigned practice workflow. The Health Records IT Technical Support Specialist Certificate will train students to support the technology deployed in clinical and public health settings on an ongoing basis. Workers in this role maintain systems in clinical and public health settings, including patching and upgrading of software. They also provide one-on-one support, in a traditional "help desk" model, to individual users with questions or problems. The Health Records IT Trainer Certificate will prepare students to design and deliver training programs, using adult learning principles, to employees in clinical and public health care settings on the use of health records IT systems.