By Greg Gillespie
APR 19, 2011 10:19am ET

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Would You Hire an ONC Program Grad?

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The Office for the National Coordinator recently announced that more than 2,000 HIT workers have graduated from its Community College Consortia program, which offers non-degree HIT programs that can be completed in six months.

The program is one of ONC’s responses to what it estimates will be a severe HIT worker shortfall (around 50,000 workers) in the coming years. Many CIOs report they can’t find butts to fill HIT seats, and also report their implementations are falling behind as a result.

Would you hire a graduate of the ONC program? Are you willing to take a chance on a relative greenhorn, or are you holding out for more experienced workers with specific skill sets? Is the Community College Consortia and similar programs a good use of taxpayer money?

Last but not least: Have a better idea how address the worker shortfall?

Add your comments below. For more information on ONC's HIT worker programs, click here.

 

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Comments (8)
Yes - because many of these students bring other important skills relative to business and technology experience, which can bring unique perspective and value in building solutions to the process.
Posted by Ed T | Tuesday, April 19 2011 at 11:41AM ET
Apparently the answer is no. I completed an ASA degree with honors and passed the exam with a high score and received my RHIT credential in November. Unless the person is already working in healthcare, it would have to be even worse with less than a degree. Many of the postings include the requirement of an RN degree, as in Minnesota there are still many out of work RN's. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Linda S | Tuesday, April 19 2011 at 3:33PM ET
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