Editor’s Note: Cherie Lester is a Senior Healthcare IT Recruiter with Holland Square Group , a provider of technology and healthcare IT consulting, strategic staffing, outsourcing and professional search solutions. Lester has over 15 years of recruitment experience in the health IT industry and writes regularly about the job search and application process for HCIT professionals on her site, EngageMeHIT. Follow her on Twitter at @EngageMeHIT.
I receive multiple calls and emails every year from people interested in HCIT employment. People hear how there is such a huge need for healthcare IT professionals that finding a position in this industry should be a piece of cake…. but there is definitely a catch-22 with this theory.
Healthcare providers and consulting firms look for people that have significant experience in the industry and many of these opportunities require certifications in specific EMR vendor solutions to boot. With that in mind, even someone with a substantial IT background in another industry or a nurse with no informatics background can find it challenging to land one of these coveted positions. Over the years, I’ve read numerous publications claiming to provide the solution to this dilemma, but it is my impression that there is no fool-proof method to the current madness of getting a job in healthcare IT.
Below are some useful and helpful suggestions for breaking into the health IT industry.
Step 1. Create a resume that highlights your healthcare and/or technology background and education.
Step 2. Be prepared. Know the type of opportunities you want to consider, the geographical area or areas you want to work in and the salary range you want.
Step 3. Don’t fly blind. Create a spreadsheet to track your employment processes and be diligent about filling it in. Finding a career can be a full-time job. Be ready to spend at least a few hours a day focused on your search.
Step 4. Get connected. Use social networking sites such as LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals that might be able to assist you in your search.
Step 5. Get Educated. Beyond your actual education credentials, research industry-related web sites and sign up for their newsletters and emails to stay on top of the latest news and information.
Step 6. Use job boards and search engines like www.jobster.com to assist you in your search.
Step 7. Make sure you’re applying to the right places. Most consulting firms hire industry professionals with extensive prior experience because their clients demand highly qualified consultants and most consulting firms do not provide permanent placement…meaning they will not seek people to place permanently with the client as an employee. Some consulting firms are trending towards hiring professionals with limited experience but tons of potential, and offering training (or certification) in exchange for a 12- to 24-month agreement of employment. On the other hand, staffing agencies/firms DO provide perm placement to their clients and are more likely to help people that are just entering into the health IT space.
For Professionals with a Background in Healthcare but Lacks Informatics Experience
Is your current healthcare employer planning on implementing a new EMR or upgrading their current system? If so, talk to your supervisor and the internal IT supervisor about your desire to enter into an Informatics role. Your current employer is always your best bet. If your current employer is not involved in implementation, seek a healthcare role at a healthcare facility near you that is. Make your desire to fill a dual role between your healthcare expertise and informatics clear when you are involved in the interview process. Another idea would be to continue with your healthcare career while going to college for Healthcare Informatics Management or to obtain your degree in Computer Science.
For IT Professionals that have no Healthcare Industry Experience
Most healthcare systems have a need for core technology professionals with a background in DBA, wireless, helpdesk and many other areas. Try to find a position within a healthcare facility that can utilize your previous technology expertise. When you interview, make it clear that you would like to eventually advance your career into working with EMR software. Sometimes you will find opportunities that need a combination of both EMR software experience and other technical expertise; in these situations, if your existing experience is strong enough, many healthcare facilities will hire and train you for permanent positions in that area.
For College Graduates that have a Healthcare Technology Degree but no Experience
While a degree in health IT looks fabulous on a resume, it can be more difficult than the above scenarios when trying to land a career with no prior work experience. Use your school’s career-placement team to assist you. Normally, most colleges will have a career-placement department that partners with area companies that are eager to hire recent graduates. Next, focus your efforts on all the hospitals within a sensible commute distance from your home. Scour their website career section for any entry-level position that will match your educational background. Follow up by looking on Linkedin for the person that might be the manager of that position. Message them with your interest and inquire if they have any suggestions on how you can land an interview. If you are having challenges finding the ideal position, settling for second best until you gain valuable experience is never a bad idea.
The Option of Working Directly for an EMR Vendor
Sometimes EMR vendors will hire people with any of the above qualifications. The top EMR vendors are Epic and Cerner followed by others: Meditech, McKesson, NextGen, Allscripts, etc. Most EMR vendors will require relocation to the city that houses their corporate offices, i.e. – Epic in Verona, WI and Cerner in Kansas City, MO.
While Epic and Cerner are considered a dream space for most HCIT professionals due to the strength they are gaining in the market, both have non-compete clauses in their employment contracts. If you choose to work for a large EMR vendor, you will gain invaluable experience. But if you decide to leave these companies, you may find yourself unable to work with their product, at one of their clients’ or with these same companies again for 12 – 24 months. Always pay attention to the fine print when signing an employment contract.
Opinions expressed by HIT Consultant Contributors are their own.
