Practice Workflow and Information Management Redesign Specialists

These members of the workforce will support implementation at specific locations for a period of time and, when their work is done, will move on to new locations. Workers in this role might be employed by regional extension centers, providers, vendors, or state/local public health agencies, and would work together in teams. Preparation for this role will typically require six months of intense training for individuals with appropriate backgrounds.

General Description

Workers in this role assist in reorganizing the work of a provider to take full advantage of the features of health IT to improve health and care.

Suggested Background

Individuals in this role may have backgrounds in health care (for example, as a practice administrator) or in information technology, but are not licensed clinical professionals.  

Competencies

Workers in this role will be able to:

  • Document the workflow and information management models of the practice.
  • Conduct analysis of user requirements to facilitate workflow design.
  • Develop revised workflow and information management models for the practice, based on meaningful use of a certified EHR product.  Revised models will anticipate implementation of:
    • General practice automation (e.g., appointment scheduling) to the extent not yet implemented
    • Electronic documentation and results review
    • Computerized provider order entry (CPOE)
    • Clinical decision support (CDS)
    • Health information exchange to include:
      • Sending of lab orders and receipt of results using CPOE
      • Quality improvement and reporting
      • E-Prescribing
    • Other EHR functionalities as required by the Stage 1 Meaningful Use definition for 2011 and its evolution into Stage 2 in 2013 and Stage 3 in 2015
  • Work directly with practice personnel, as the practice implements the EHR, to implement the revised workflow and information management model.
  • Work with practice staff to develop a set of plans to keep the practice running if the EHR system fails.
  • Work with practice staff to evaluate the new processes as implemented, identify problems and changes that are needed, and implement these changes.
  • Design processes and information flows for the practice that accommodate quality improvement and reporting.