IT Careers in the age of Technology

             There are many careers that focus on IT in today’s world of technology, one of the larges growing and ever evolving IT careers is Health Care IT. When I used to think of healthcare IT, I would imagine your typical tech guy, making sure the computers are working, replacing the keyboards or switching out an older monitor, todays IT in healthcare is so much more. When it comes to IT in the world of healthcare you have your Electronic medical record, which everyone from Nurses, Doctors, secretaries, and even lab and imaging techs will use to document patient care. You also have those who build, maintain, and oversee the day to day functions of the Electronic medical record. There are also those who train end users, super users and support staff whose only role is to be elbow support for the clinicians who will focus on patient care and use the electronic medical record. Training and support are my main job in Healthcare IT, sometimes I work locally, other times I travel from state to state, assisting with training, support and implementation of the electronic medical record (EMR). Other roles in Healthcare IT include those who work in project management, security including access to the computers, networks, and various locations within the hospital, without the growing need for companies to become more involved with technology, these jobs might never exist. “The success of healthcare depends critically on the utilization of information technology capability and innovative capability to collect, analyze, and exchange knowledge within and across organizational boundaries.” (Hui-chuan & Cates, 2018).

The biggest goal to my job at any location, is to identify those who are strong computer users, and excel with the EMR, after a few weeks of support and encouragement, they will become super users for their location, and they will take over my role when they leave. They become the designated IT help support on the floor, or in the office once all the ancillary support has left to their next implementation of another EMR. “Theoretically, work practices that promote employee involvement, discretion (defined as the extent to which employees are provided with professional autonomy and decision making authority), teamwork, training, and staffing are likely to affect the acquisition and transfer of new knowledge within the organization, thereby influencing IT learning.” (Avgar, Tambe & Hitt, 2018).  By helping current staff to engage in the new system, it creates a new role for them in the work place, which in my experience is very exciting, and they are more receptive to learn the EMR, and help others. They share their take on what they have learned, teach short cuts, and really stream line their workflows in a new way, as it is a project for them to grab hold of, and make their own. This improves patient safety, efficiency, and overall quality of care.

The Electronic medical record is not only beneficial to hospital staff, but it is also there to protect the patient by maintaining their complete health information. This information can be accessed by those who are in direct care of the patient and be electronically sent to those who will care for the patient after they are discharged from the hospital. Care providers can share this health information with one another, to better care for their patient. Anderson,  Campbell, Mahoney, Muther, Nevin, Resnik & Steinberg, T had the right idea when they started their research in Information technology improving long term patient care, they concluded that “Care Link IT functions can be replicated to address the unique longitudinal care needs of any population.” Any healthcare facility can adapt and implement an electronic medical record to enhance patient care, drive more jobs into the area, and better the knowledge of their employees in the world of IT.

Information technology continues to grow across many industries, in Healthcare they are working on new EMR customization's to better assist in patient care. Hospitals regularly upgrade computers and office equipment that interfaces with the EMR, from scanners and faxes, to secure messaging applications which can be used for physicians to text over orders to the RNs. The need for these constant improvements, system upgrades and so forth is also fueling the IT job market on what seems to be a daily basis. As the need increases for hospitals to become more advanced, and further implement technology, IT careers continue to be on the rise especially for those who work in network security. They need to be on high alert for those who want to hack into the hospitals network and gain access to patient information, which is safeguarded by the EMR. Users need system credentials to gain access to the network and the EMR just to view and enter information on patients.

 References

Anderson, S., Campbell, M., Mahoney, D., Muther, A. K., Nevin, J., Resnik, P., & ... Steinberg, T. (2017). Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality at the Local Level: Innovative Information Technology–Powered Population Health Care Management Improves Outcomes and Reduces Hospital Re-admissions and Emergency Department Visits. The Joint Commission Journal On Quality And Patient Safety, 43330-337. doi:10.1016/j.jcjq.2017.04.002

Avgar, A., Tambe, P., & Hitt, L. M. (2018). BUILT TO LEARN: HOW WORK PRACTICES AFFECT EMPLOYEE LEARNING DURING HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION. MIS Quarterly, 42(2), 645-659. doi:10.25300/MISQ/2018/13668

Christie Hui-chuan, C., & Cates, T. (2018). The Role of Information Technology Capability and Innovative Capability: An Empirical Analysis of Knowledge Management in Healthcare. International Management Review, 14(1), 5-16.

LaRose, R., Rifon, N. J., & Enbody, R. (2008). PROMOTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for INTERNET SAFETY. Communications Of The ACM, 51(3), 71-76. doi:10.1145/1325555.1325569

National Cyber Security Alliance. Emerging Internet Threat List, 2006; www.staysafeonline.info/basics/Internetthreatlist06.html.

Pickering, C. M. (2018, June 10). My Introduction to Technology. Retrieved June 27, 2018, from https://carolannpickering.blogspot.com/

Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2017). Computing technology for all. Retrieved from zybooks.zyante.com/