Long-Term Support Services Health IT Training Program

With funding from the Healthcare Workforce Transformation Fund through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, MeHI awarded $173,000 to Springfield Technical Community College to lead a three community college consortium in the development of a statewide health IT training pilot program to improve the skill sets of entry-level employees in Massachusetts long-term post-acute care and home healthcare organizations. Together, the three colleges: Springfield Technical Community College, Cape Cod Community College, and Middlesex Community College, developed, tested, and refined a standardized curriculum to support HIT workforce development. The colleges piloted the curriculum at four home healthcare agencies across Massachusetts: Porchlight VNA, Capuano Care, Duffy Health Clinic, and Professional Profiles. The curriculum is divided into four modules: basic computer skills required to navigate an EHR; EHR function and use; EHR documentation; and EHR security and privacy. The modules are targeted at entry-level workers like CNAs and home health aides and are designed to stand on their own or to work as a cohesive unit. 

A final report on the grant program is available here.