As
the healthcare industry begins a widespread shift to digital record-keeping and
electronic information transfer, a growing need has emerged among employees of
this industry to be more knowledgeable and skilled in information technology
skills and practices.
The
need exists for both healthcare professionals who must be knowledgeable in the
processing, storage and retrieval of information, as well as for information
technology professionals working in healthcare facilities, who should possess a
working and current general knowledge of the healthcare industry.
Professionals
working within these positions need to understand the complexities of digitally
storing and transferring medical information to ensure that this information is
accurate, protected and readily accessible when needed.
This
is particularly true in Northeastern Pennsylvania where an older age
demographic has created an increased need for a variety of health care
facilities, as well as medical and technical professionals to staff and operate
them.
To
answer this growing need, Penn State Worthington Scranton's Continuing
Education department, in conjunction with three other area Penn State campuses,
is now offering a Healthcare Informatics Certificate program. This 19-credit certificate program, which
begins this fall semester, provides the required insight into both professional
areas to provide a well-rounded understanding and working knowledge of
information technology use and how it pertains to the healthcare industry in
particular.
This
program is especially designed for individuals who would like to enter into the
world of healthcare information management or those working exclusively in the
information or healthcare fields that wish to broaden their education and
understanding of healthcare informatics.
"This
program has come about at the perfect time," said John Drake, director of
Worthington Scranton's continuing education department. "There has been vast growth within the
information technology industry and, as the healthcare industry in our region
begins to grow, use of this technology will surely increase. As professional educators in our region, we
want to make sure that we are helping the workforce in both of these industries
prepare for this increased need and growing career field."
Jane
Ashton, Director of Continuing Education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre added, "This
Healthcare Informatics Certificate program will give our Penn State Information
Sciences and Technology graduates, current IT and health care professionals,
and the general public an opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge about
the healthcare industry that will enhance their resume and opportunities for
employment," said Jane Ashton, director of Continuing Education at Penn State
Wilkes-Barre.
In
addition to Penn State Worthington Scranton and Penn State Wilkes-Barre, the
Penn State Hazleton and Schuylkill campuses are partnering in the effort to
offer this course, making it available throughout all of Northeastern
Pennsylvania.
"Partnering with the other Penn State campuses
enables faculty and students to network regionally and to gain a regional
perspective during the course of study," said Mary Sacavage, Ph.D., Penn State
Schuylkill's Director of Continuing Education.
Sally
McGuire, Penn State Director of Continuing Education at Penn State Hazleton,
also stressed the advantages of collaborating with other regional campuses,
particularly "our ability to offer programs at multiple locations using our
video learning technology as well as face-to-face programming."
For
more information about this program, please contact: Penn State Hazleton Continuing
Education (CE), 570-450-3053, [email protected];
Penn State Schuylkill CE, 570-385-6217, [email protected];
Penn State Wilkes-Barre CE, 570-675-9251, [email protected];
and Penn State Worthington Scranton CE, 570-963-2600, [email protected].