Are you ready for the new wave of digital health innovation? The digital health industry is changing. From virtual doctor’s offices to digital-health applications on your smartphone or mobile device that track, manage, and improve your health. Did you know that research shows by 2019 the majority of physicians and hospitals will have implemented a basic Electronic Health Records (EHRs) system? What are EHRs exactly? EHRs are the next step in the continued progress of health care that can strengthen the relationship between patients and clinicians. Quite simply, EHRs are the digitized, comprehensive patient history from all clinicians involved in patient care, regardless of practice or specialty. Data such as medications, diagnoses, immunizations, family medical history and provider contact information may all be a part of your EHR. This new wave of health-care innovation is believed to reduce outpatient costs by 3 percent. While some may balk at the security of patient information in EHRs, there are many benefits toward the transition from paper records. For instance, EHRs provide the rapid collection of and easy access to patient data, measures data over time, recognizes and classifies patients needing preventative care, and software utilization may produce more complete records. Additionally, EHRs improve patient care by reducing the incidence of medical error through improved accuracy and clarity of medical records, reducing duplication of tests, reducing delays in treatment, and enabling providers to make better decisions and provide better care, because of the data and its timeliness and availability. In fact, research shows that many specialty providers such as dialysis, internal medicine, pathology, nephrology, and radiology are early adopters of EHRs.

Medical data analysts predict a 76 to 90 percent increase in EHR usage over the next two years.

That is why Copiah- Lincoln Community College, Natchez Campus, is proud to offer the skills and training you need to enter this growing industry. Our Health Care Data program is designed to prepare students to work in a variety of medical office positions. Students will develop skills using medical terminology, electronic health records and computer software applications. In just two short semesters, the successful completion of our program can help you achieve a one-year career certificate and ready you for entry into this emerging field.

Or stay with us a little longer and enhance those skills with additional courses in administrative office procedures, integrated computer applications, business financial systems, database management, web design and database publishing under our administrative office technology option. By layering your one-year certificate with other offerings, such as business management or accounting technology you increase your preparedness for a variety of employment opportunities and help better meet industry needs.

Let us help you develop the communications, technical, problem solving, managerial and organizational skills you need to succeed. Our program features a computer lab, up-to-date software applications and innovative teaching/learning methods that are reflective of the latest in technology. The atmosphere is pleasant, instructors are friendly and helpful, and classes are kept small in order to provide each student with individual attention.

For more information about program enrollment, please contact Sue Savino at 601-446-1156 or come by and visit us in the Redd-Watkins Career Technical building.

Monica J. Morrison is the assistant dean of career, technical and workforce education on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Natchez Campus.