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January 5, 2018 – Arlington, VA – For the month of December the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 6.6 million Americans are unemployed while at the same time 6 million jobs remain unfilled. This jobs gap exists because employers demand "job ready" employees and prospective employees are simply not able to bridge the skills gap without appropriate education and training. This month, CECU looks at the skills gap in America facing the health information management industry. With a projected growth rate of 13%, amounting to 27,800 new jobs by 2026 according to BLS, this profession will be in need of trained workers to fill the rising demand. Career education colleges and universities are poised as key players in meeting the need. In just 2016, over 4,000 awards in health information and medical records technology came from career colleges, nearly 40% of the degrees awarded in the field last year.
Health information technicians are important in maintaining the organizational functions and data in a healthcare office. They document patient histories, manage electronic data systems, and work with other healthcare professionals to ensure quality control and accuracy of information recorded. As advances in electronic systems continue, health information technicians will need to be well-educated in appropriate software. New technology and regulations have changed the health information field dramatically over the past decade. As a result, the field is growing fast. According to a survey by Modern Healthcare, “roughly one-third of 200 healthcare IT executives reported a project on hold because of (healthcare) IT vacancies.” CNBC reported that medical records and health information professionals are one of the “most in-demand healthcare jobs.” Quality career training is crucial to close this gap and provide professionals in the field who are prepared with those needed skills. “At ECPI, our program in Health Information Management gives students the skills and tools necessary to pursue a successful career in healthcare”, said Mark Dreyfus, president of ECPI University. “Health Information Management professionals are a critical component of the healthcare workforce. The need for these positions is expected to be in high demand in the coming years.” “The demand for medical professionals continues to expand, and so do the number of good job opportunities for individuals seeking a secure and rewarding career”, said Steve Gunderson, president & CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities. “Career colleges and universities produce a huge percentage of degrees in these fields, and are critical to providing students with well-rounded training and degrees to help fulfill the nation’s workforce needs.” About Shortage of Skills Each month CECU will profile America's "Shortage of Skills" (SoS) in one key industry. We will examine industries that are critical to America's economic advancement and explain how a well-educated and well-trained workforce can address these issues. About Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) is a membership organization of accredited institutions of higher education that provide postsecondary education with a career focus. CECU's work supports thousands of campuses that educate millions of students. Comments are closed.
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