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What specific expertise do we need?

Upon assessing the expertise needed to successfully adopt and implement health IT, many health centers discover a lack of knowledge in their organization, subsequently necessitating the training or hiring of staff or consultants. Some health centers also undertake health IT projects with the notion that the current staff can continue to perform their clinical functions and assume the additional responsibilities associated with a new system implementation. Numerous health IT projects have been significantly delayed or failed on account of this approach. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining staffing resources. However, as organizations embark on installing more advanced clinical systems (e.g., EHRs and CPOE), it is important to include individuals on the team that have been involved in similar projects.

Related resources on skills assessment:

• Office Staff Skills Assessment Survey (PDF - 70 KB) - Developed by DOQ-IT, this resource is a survey of basic computer skills to assess the scope of training needed before implementing an EHR or other health IT platform.
• Report to the Field: Getting Beyond Information Technology Basics.  Technology Management to Build Capacity and Create Sustainability - Paper by Community Clinics Initiative, emphasizing continuous effort to improve and expand use of technology in community health centers. Tools available in appendices. (2004)
• Establish the EHR Team - Developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, this resource lists four key project team roles. (2010)
• EHR Implementation Team - Developed by DOQ-IT. A list summarizing eight key roles that needs to be filled on HIT implementation teams.
• Overcoming Health IT Workforce Challenges in the Safety Net Community - HRSA Office of Health IT and Quality Webinar

Sample job descriptions:

• Job Description for Clinical Systems Analyst – Developed by AHIMA, this website describes the position of Clinical Systems Analyst.
• Job Description for Chief Information Officer (DOC - 36.5 KB) – Developed by Community Clinics, this resource describes necessary competencies for Chief Information Officers.
• Sample Health Information Management Job Descriptions – Developed by AHIMA, this website provides job descriptions for key staff involved in health IT projects.