Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized healthcare. Gone are the days of cumbersome paper files. Today, patient information is stored digitally, making it easily accessible and more secure. This shift has created a huge demand for skilled professionals who can implement, manage, and optimize these systems. That’s where EHR Analysts come in! As an EHR analyst, you can position yourself for a satisfying healthcare IT career with an abundance of opportunities.
The Rise of EHRs in Healthcare
EHR adoption has occurred at a rapid rate. In 2008, just 9% of hospitals and 17% of office-based physicians had adopted EHRs. By 2021, this increased to 96% of hospitals and 78% of office-based physicians.1 The most common challenges for hospitals implementing EHR solutions are the initial upgrade and ongoing maintenance costs. Other concerns reported by at least a third of hospitals are:2
- Pace and extent of regulatory changes
- Ability to meet meaningful use criteria on time
- Physician cooperation
Proper adoption, maintenance, and use of EHR systems is essential in any healthcare setting. EHRs are subject to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) security and privacy rules, which means that organizations must:
- Conduct security risk analyses periodically
- Secure physical hardware associated with the system
- Install technical security measures on devices storing electronic protected health information (ePHI)
- Execute a contract with third parties who have access to ePHI mandating HIPAA compliance
- Train staff on proper procedures for identifying and responding to a potential breach
- Distribute and enforce HIPAA standards among the staff
The Growing Demand for Epic EHR Analysts
EHR specialists are in high demand to help organizations successfully manage their EHR systems and maintain HIPAA compliance. Globally, the EHR market was valued at $29.68 billion in 2023. This is expected to increase to $46.63 billion by 2032.3 EHR specialists are perfectly positioned to cash in on this rapidly growing industry and meet the needs of numerous healthcare facilities that are either implementing, updating, or maintaining EHR systems.
Epic is a leading provider of EHR systems with over 305 million patient records in its system. In 2023, Epic managed records for over 51% of the acute multispecialty hospital market, with the next-closest competitor handling just under 245 million.4 Professionals who want to position themselves for EHR job opportunities will do well to pursue an Epic specialty.
Responsibilities and Skills of an Epic EHR Analyst
With an abundance of emerging job opportunities, the EHR market is worth pursuing for anyone interested in the organizational and technological side of the healthcare industry.
Essential Responsibilities
Epic EHR analysts manage everything from the implementation of a new system to the ongoing optimization and management of the client’s EHRs. Job responsibilities include:
- Managing all stages of Epic EHR implementation
- Analyzing clinical workflows in healthcare data management and identifying areas for optimization
- Implementing system change requests
- Developing a training curriculum for users
- Troubleshooting and resolving user issues
- Establishing scope, design, and prioritization of reports
- Conducting system testing
- Supporting regulatory compliance
- Extracting and analyzing relevant data for decision-making and optimization
Key Skill Sets
Epic EHR analysts typically need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, healthcare information technology, or a related field. Certification in healthcare information technology improves employability.
You’re a prime candidate for a job as an EHR specialist if your skill set includes:
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced setting
- Understanding of healthcare workflows and clinical processes
Achieving Epic EHR Certification and Advancing Your Career
Once employed by a healthcare organization, you can pursue employer-sponsored Epic EHR training programs to get Epic EHR certification. These courses last six to eight weeks and greatly enhance your skills as an Epic EHR analyst. You can also get Epic EHR training through Medix. We identify top talent with an aptitude for EHR management and provide Epic EHR training and certification as part of our MedixDirect program.
Epic EHR certifications are specialized by module and role. You can pursue certification with a particular type of Epic program, such as Stork for obstetrics, Cadence for patient scheduling, or Cupid for cardiology. Epic also offers certification by role, so you can get specialized certification as an Ambulatory Analyst, Inpatient Clinical Systems Analyst, or Billing Analyst.
Connecting With Employers Through Medix’s MedixDirect Program
The MedixDirect program does more than prepare you for a career as an EHR specialist — it places you in coveted positions. Medix recruiters work closely with talent to evaluate their skill sets, identify training opportunities, and pursue placement. MedixDirect has successfully certified over 700 potential analysts. Talent placed by Medix have a 92% retention rate, thanks to the mindful placement process that thoughtfully pairs employers with talent that’s suited to the job, location, and company culture.5
Medix has an outstanding reputation for placing top talent in sought-after healthcare positions. Clearly Rated recognized Medix with their Best of Staffing Talent Satisfaction award in 2024, and Staffing Industry Analysts identified us among the largest staffing firms in the U.S. Our robust job board presents a wealth of opportunities to help you chart your professional future.
Pursue the Possibilities as an EHR Specialist
Explore the growing opportunities in the Epic EHR analyst field with Medix. Contact our team for attentive support and dedicated assistance in supporting your career goals and helping you find the best opportunities for your needs.