Health IT Specialist Program Goes Online

To create a training path that leads to in-demand good jobs, as many try to recover from the pandemic, Futuro Health today launched the Health IT Specialist program with Coursera, with new content created by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Offered through the leading online learning platform Coursera, the program will prepare students for entry-level jobs as healthcare help-desk analysts or end-user computer support specialists – “gateway” jobs that lead to higher-wage work, according to the McKinsey Global Institute.

According to the Institute’s pre-pandemic analysis of job profiles and histories for people without bachelor’s degrees, 47% of computer-user support specialists transition from a gateway job into a job paying middle wage of $42,000 or above. These jobs are also considered “destination” jobs, or jobs that are likely to continue growing in the future.

“Our new Health IT Specialist program is a strong example of how workers can recover from their job losses and emerge from the pandemic with different opportunities – ones that make social mobility possible,” said Futuro Health CEO Van Ton-Quinlivan. “Coursera’s relationship with Johns Hopkins has made it possible to create content that blends the worlds of healthcare and IT to produce workers who are day-one ready.”

Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is leading the recruitment to build awareness for the training opportunity. Already Futuro Health has received more than 1,000 applications for the 250 program slots open to California residents. If selected, students attend tuition-free thanks to underwriting by Futuro Health.

The curriculum consists of Healthcare IT-specific content created by Johns Hopkins, combined with a Google IT Support curriculum, and a course on customer service. Upon completion of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program – the most popular certificate on Coursera – students will be prepared to take the CompTIA A+ Certification exam. The healthcare part of the program covers roles for health IT and support staff; an introduction to electronic health records; applications and features of electronic health records; clinical decision support and databases; and training, communication and change management, among other topics. Futuro Health provides added support and will monitor student progress and engage students, as necessary, to ensure their success.

Students are expected to take between five and seven months to complete the program.

“Addressing the healthcare IT skills gap through accessible training programs helps individuals, employers, and communities thrive,” said Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “We are proud to team up with leaders like Futuro Health and Johns Hopkins University to bring critical, job-relevant content to learners, especially those impacted by the current economic crisis.”

The Health IT Specialist certificate program is ideal for people launching a brand-new career or looking to change careers. There are no course prerequisites for the program, though a general aptitude and interest in computer devices is preferred.

Help-desk analysts process electronic requests to resolve IT issues and route requests to the appropriate source to be resolved. End-user computer support specialists troubleshoot hardware and software tools, such as clinical barcode readers and vital-sign monitoring equipment, for computer users.

Jane Garcia, CEO of La Clínica de La Raza, a community clinic in Oakland, said it is difficult for her clinic to find qualified health IT specialists.

“We just can’t get enough of them,” Garcia said. “We welcome programs like Futuro Health’s that provide another option for a steady supply of these hard-to-find workers. Our clinic benefits because we get the health IT workers we need.”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Latest

2024
Mark Tina Envisions Differences to the Verizon Partner Network in 2024
December 1, 2023

In the dynamic telecommunications landscape, Verizon’s Partner Network continues to evolve, adapting to new trends and opportunities. For another segment featuring Mark Tina, VP of Indirect Channel Distribution and Channel Chief at Verizon Business Group, he explores exactly what types of significant changes and advancements the Verizon Partner Network will see in 2024. In this […]

Read More
verizon business group
Mark Tina Explores the Importance of Partners in Verizon Business Group Success
December 1, 2023

A special episode of The Verizon Partner Network focuses on an examination of an industry marked by fierce competition and rapid innovation. But most importantly, how the role of partnerships in a company’s success is increasingly vital. Mark Tina, the VP of Indirect Channel Distribution and Channel Chief at Verizon, details why partners are essential […]

Read More
aspects
Mark Tina Highlights Three Pillars of Success in Verizon’s Partner Network
December 1, 2023

For a continuation episode of The Verizon Partner Network’s special segment with team leaders, Mark Tina, VP of Indirect Channel Distribution and Channel Chief at Verizon Business Group, joined again to outline the three top aspects that define the Verizon Partner Network and its approach to collaborative success. The video centers on Tina’s explanation of […]

Read More