Adopting and implementing an electronic health record (EHR) can be a challenging undertaking, so it’s important to make sure your EHR implementation team has the right skills to be effective. Be sure your EHR implementation team has:
- Communication Skills: To ensure your EHR implementation is well-managed and organized, make sure your EHR implementation team members have good communication skills. You should document all important decisions in writing and assign at least one person to take notes during meetings. In addition, be sure your EHR implementation team regularly communicates progress to senior leadership and others in your organization.
- Project Management Experience: EHR implementations do not always go smoothly, so ensure that your EHR implementation team includes capable project managers with good communication skills and attention to detail. Project managers should understand the technical and clinical aspects of EHR implementation.
- Technical Proficiency: While your EHR vendor should be able to provide software installation, networking, and interfacing support, you may find it useful to include at least one person with Health IT experience on your EHR implementation team.
EHR Competency Model
The United States Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) created an EHR Competency Model 
as a resource to support Health IT workforce development efforts. You can use the model to help ensure your EHR implementation team has the right mix of skills, knowledge, and experience.
For More Information
For more information about EHR implementation and Health IT workforce issues, see the following resources.