The U.S. Department of Labor has identified Health IT as a high growth and emerging industry sector. A recent study from the University of California San Diego Extension listed Health IT as the number one career opportunity in 2010. As the nation moves toward a more technologically advanced health care system, providers are going to need highly skilled health IT experts to support them in the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records.
Health IT professionals are in demand, and there is estimated to be a shortage of as many as 200,000 Health IT workers by 2015. This shortage is critical because it may impact organizations’ ability to demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records and obtain the financial incentives promised. The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) is trying to address this shortage by funding Health IT Workforce Development programs for both Community Colleges and Universities. These programs are graduating high-caliber health information technology professionals interested in supporting the growing and evolving health IT industry.
One of the most important workforce shortage needs to address is providing Health IT education to rural and medically underserved communities. The University of Colorado Denver has received a grant from the ONC to provide graduate-level Health IT education to 132 healthcare professionals. This grant covers the tuition and fees up to $10,000, which covers most of the costs for the student. Rural and medically underserved communities are given first priority for this funding.
Our website (www.nursing.ucdenver.edu/HITEC) provide more information about the program. Applications are being accepted until July 10, 2011, for fall admission. Please forward this information to anyone in your organization that might be interested in this opportunity. These funds will only be available until the positions are filled, which we anticipate will be within the next 6 months. If you have questions about the program, please contact Donna DuLong, Colorado HITEC Program, at (303) 724-5515 or send an email to HITEC@ucdenver.edu.
