ARRA and the HIM Workforce
Genna Rollins in October 2009 Journal of AHIMA reviews the workforce provisions of  both ARRA 2009′s HITECH and Department of Labor portions. HITECH workforce areas focuses on starting and expanding “medical health informatics programs, including certification, undergraduate, and master’s degree programs for both healthcare and IT students.” In addition funding is planned for projects demonstrating the integration of health IT into clinical education. 

The article highlights core competencies for an EHR workforce identified in 2008 by AHIMA and American Medical Informatics Association. Finally Department of Labor proposals due October 5, 2009 are previewed, including promoting development of technical skills which may be gained at the associate and bachelor’s level to support the more immediate needs of an expanding EHR environment.