In order to help a variety of healthcare organizations meet the January 2014 federally mandated electronic record-keeping deadline, Six Sigma professionals trained in this area are in high demand. One of the exciting opportunities of this particular project that Six Sigma professionals are realizing is that they have the chance to work one-on-one with highly-skilled professionals from all areas of healthcare.
This opportunity can lead to long-term professional networking and additional projects over time. Some of the job descriptions of other healthcare professionals that a Six Sigma specialist can encounter, work closely with, or possibly fill in a healthcare setting include:
1. Health Informatics Consultant
Six Sigma specialists will confer with these special consultants to coordinate training for teams completing specific projects related to compliance goals. Tasks may include:
- Training teams
- Installing software
- Updating networks
- Monitoring systems and troubleshooting
- Making adjustment and monitoring changes
Top consultants enjoy the benefits of a master’s degree in health informatics as this is currently the highest level of education available for health informatics professionals. However, those in the field for a significant amount of time may have secured the position with ongoing professional development while having an unrelated degree. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) reports that the median salary for professionals in this career track is generally in the upper $80,000’s.
2. Health Informatics Director
This valuable executive combines top technology skills with highly evolved people skills. These directors are adept at viewing “the forest as well as the trees” and view organizational growth holistically. They have a penchant for organizing an effective flow of information and organizational goals across divisions. Some of their main duties include:
- Having the foresight to anticipate IT inconsistencies and mitigate them effectively
- Training teams regularly and securing effective education procedures when rolling out new technology
- Orchestrating meetings with top stakeholders and key constituents which may include nurses, physicians, lab chiefs and pharmacy staff to introduce new technology protocol changes
- Monitoring, analyzing, recording and addressing any technology glitches, bugs and breaches, as well as resolving issues and monitoring subsequent adjustments.
Newer health informatics directors will generally hold a master’s degree. Professionals who have grown skills as the industry expanded around them may hold a bachelor’s degree coupled with many years of on-going training and job experience. As with all professions, salaries will vary with geographic location, years of experience and industry demand. Often local chapters of professional organizations can provide the most recent and most accurate salary ranges and job outlook. The AHIMA reports the range for health informatics directors to be from approximately $80,000 to over $100,000 per year.
3. Nursing Informatics Specialist
Typically charged with carrying out patient care plans, nurses are playing a large role in shaping the next generation of automated technology aimed at improving the accuracy and effectiveness of data collection systems that support patient care. Insightful hospital executives are actively seeking nurses with IT skills to join Federal mandate compliance teams across healthcare settings. A nurse working as a health informatics specialist would typically tend to details such as:
- Delivering relevant training to other nurses who need to learn new record-keeping protocol
- Providing feedback to Six Sigma IT professionals regarding product effectiveness in a practical clinical setting.
- Documenting and analyzing record-keeping systems for inaccuracy and redundancy
- Working out logistical challenges of technology in relation to direct patient care
As with all professions, salaries will vary with geographic location, years of experience and industry demand. Often local chapters of professional organizations can provide the most recent and most accurate salary ranges and job outlook. Personal research is advised to gather the most appropriate data for your situation.
4. Chief Medical Information Officer
Overall, a chief medical information officer is in charge of assuring that the IT infrastructure that supports patient care is as effective and efficient as possible. They are responsible for developing IT systems that support coordination across divisions. They promote effective IT communication systems that serve to improve the continuum of care across multiple information systems. In addition to these duties, chief medical information officers’ duties include:
- Working with consultants, executives and software users to design improved software applications
- Creating and identifying specific metrics aimed at uncovering organizational redundancies and mitigating problem areas
- Training and monitoring software development teams
- Participating in top executive meetings
- Consulting on a variety of IT governance boards.
Chief medical information officers are employed in hospital, academic and governmental settings. They are highly skilled problem solvers with an innovative approach toward the application of technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of human systems. Ongoing education is necessary in this field. Top chief medical information officers typically hold a Ph.D., while others hold a master’s degree.
As with all professions, salaries will vary with geographic location, years of experience and industry demand. Often local chapters of professional organizations can provide the most recent and most accurate salary ranges and job outlook. Personal research is advised to gather the most appropriate data for your situation.
5. Electronic Medical Record Keeper
Hospital executives, medical researchers, insurance companies and industry analysts use the information compiled by electronic medical record keepers to help plan and direct future goals of the organization. These important professionals input specific patient data such as treatment plans, diagnoses and symptom details into software programs and other related applications used by various professionals in the healthcare facility. Duties typically include:
- Assigning codes to patient data within existing electronic medical records
- Consulting with physicians and other direct patient care providers when necessary to ensure the accuracy of the records
- Upholding high ethical standards for patient records
- Checking records for inconsistency and error
- Dispersing information and reports to approved recipients such as insurance companies, family members and guardians
- Providing feedback to IT teams regarding any glitches in software applications
With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, there has been an increase in the number of positions in this field, especially for individuals with top training and some previous experience. Jobs in this area are expected to increase as the deadline for electronic record compliance approaches. Salaries can vary greatly depending on education, professional training and overall job proficiency.
6. Healthcare IT Project Manager
The central role of a healthcare IT project manager is to orchestrate large and complex projects effectively and efficiently. This involves detailed coordination and communication with a wide range of stakeholders. Typically these tasks involve:
- Creating flexible project plans that can be adjusted to meet updated needs and requirements
- Developing workflow timelines and making budgetary allocations
- Securing resources to complete projects on time and on budget
- Implementing procedures aimed at reducing risk and minimizing errors
- Communicating change orders and reviewing deliverable with related constituents
Healthcare project managers apply a specifically honed skill set to especially complex projects in healthcare settings. The BLS reports data for a variety of project manager jobs, those in IT fields generally pay more than in many other industries. Depending on education, degree of expertise and direct experience handling complex projects, salaries could range from the mid $40,000’s to over $100,000 per year.
For Six Sigma professionals looking to excel in a highly rewarding yet challenging setting, combining Six Sigma methodologies with health informatics training can lead to exciting and immediate opportunities. In addition to applying detailed skills in a healthcare setting which has the potential to improve the continuum of care for patients of all ages, professionals with the right combination of skills have the ability to help shape health informatics over the next several decades.
While hospitals and other healthcare settings compete for patients and the Federal electronic medical records mandate approaches, top medical executives will continue to seek out professionals with the training and ability to help them achieve federal compliance and impressive bottom line results.
