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Medical Informatics FAQ

 

  1. What is Medical Informatics?

  2. How do I know if the Certificate in Medical Informatics is right for me?
  3. What qualifications do I need to enter the program?
  4. How do I apply for admissions to BCC?
  5. How do I register for classes?

  6. Are all the classes conducted online?

  7. Where do I purchase my text books?

  8. When does the program start?

  9. Who teaches the classes?

  10. What kind of job can I get when I complete the certificate?

  11. Do you provide job placement assistance?

  12. Does the program qualify for financial aid?

  13. Can I challenge courses or transfer in credits from another school?

  14. My IT experience is beyond the level of the courses in the program.  Do I still have to take those courses?

  15. What are online classes like?

  16. What if I don’t have time to take 10 credits each quarter?

  17. How do I register for classes after the first day of class?

  18. I tried to register, but I get a message that I need an entry code.  What does this mean?

  19. What is the difference between the 45 credit certificate and the 30 credit certificate?

  20. What if I miss a class one quarter?

  21. Do I need computer skills?

  22. Do I need health care experience?

  23. How much does the program cost?

  24. How do I get my certificate at the end of the program?

 

What is Medical Informatics?
Medical Informatics is the intersection of healthcare and technology. Although the field is relatively new, it has been ranked as one of the top five healthcare careers by US News and World Report.  Careers are quickly unfolding around the development and implementation of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and the movement of patient information from paper to electronic format.

 

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How do I know if the Certificate in Medical Informatics is right for me?
As you begin your exploration of the program, please arrange to meet with a Life Science Informatics Center (LSIC) staff member to discuss the program and your experience, career goals and previous academic credits. Each student has unique professional and educational experience and will derive different benefits from the certificate program. An LSIC staff member can help you determine potential career paths in the field. Contact us at informatics@bcc.ctc.edu or 425-564-4182.

 

What qualifications do I need to enter the program?
Students who are most successful in the program possess prior experience in either Information Technology (IT) or Healthcare.  If you do not have healthcare or IT experience, we can guide you into courses that will help you prepare to enter the program. 

 

How do I apply for admissions to BCC?

  • Assessment is a crucial step. You are required to take an English and math assessment before applying for your Certificate of Accomplishment. The Assessment Office is located in the B Building in room 132 (425-564-2243) and offers walk-in assessment sessions. They can also offer information on how to use English and math courses taken at another college to meet BCC course prerequisites.

 

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How do I register for classes?

  1. Once your BCC application has been processed you will receive a Student ID (SID) and Personal Identification Number (PIN) by e-mail and mail. You must have these to register.

  1. Register online at https://wts.bcc.ctc.edu/virtual/site/waci221.html using your SID and PIN. If you have not received these call 425-564-2222.  Online services are available Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. to midnight, and Saturday 6:00 a.m. through Sunday noon.

 

Are all the classes conducted online?
The three MEDIT courses are taught online with one voluntary face-to-face session per quarter held at BCC North Campus. You may choose to take the technology classes online or on campus depending upon when they are offered.

 

Where do I purchase my text books?
Purchase text books at the campus bookstore in building B on the main campus, or online at http://bookstore.bcc.ctc.edu/

 

When does the program start?
The program begins each fall and lasts three quarters.  Students typically take 10 credits per quarter.  The technology courses may be available during other quarters, but this is not guaranteed.  Please make sure you discuss your plans with an LSIC staff member if you choose not to take the courses within the three quarters.  Some of the courses have prerequisites and we want to make sure you are able to take the courses you need, when you need them.

 

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Who teaches the MEDIT classes?
Courses are taught by leading professionals within the healthcare informatics industry.  They possess hands-on informatics experience as well as sound knowledge of teaching and learning principles.  Past instructors include an MD, PhD, CIO and Association Chapter President.

 

What kind of job can I get when I complete the certificate?
Opportunities in this growing field are found in hospitals and clinics and those businesses which develop products for them, such as software and medical device vendors. Skills learned in this program are not associated with one job title, and span many. Depending on an individual’s interests and background, entry points include clinical analyst, medical informaticist, implementation specialist, trainer or IT liaison. For an industry overview, visit the web site of its largest professional association, the Health Information Management Systems Society, www.himss.org.
Another employment resource is our partner, Parker Technical Services.  Visit their web site to learn more about jobs in Healthcare IT.  Some titles currently listed on their site are:

  • Clinical or implementation analyst (on McKesson, Meditech, IDX, Cerner, Siemens, and Epic systems)

  • Project manager or application manager

  • Healthcare IT trainer

  • Network administrator

  • Systems administrator or architect

  • Interface or integration analyst or programmer

  • Clinical informatics manager (nurse informatics, pharmacy informatics, etc.)

  • Health information manager

  • Software or hardware engineer

  • QA or testing manager

  • Business or functional analyst

  • Database developer or architect

  • Help desk or technical support professional

  • Application or Web developer

  • Instructional designer or technical writer

 

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Do you provide job placement assistance?
The BCC Career Center works with students on resume and job seeking skills and also keeps in contact with local industry to seek opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to be proactive in their job search efforts and utilize all available tools. One benefit of enrolling in the program is networking with fellow students who are already working in the field. Another employment resource is our partner, Parker Technical Services.  Visit their web site to learn more about jobs in Healthcare IT.

 

Does the program qualify for financial aid?
For questions about financial aid, please contact the financial aid office at financialaid@bcc.ctc.edu or visit the web site at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/financialaid/ All financial aid applicants are required to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to complete the Online Financial Aid Orientation every year. Failure to do so will delay the processing of a financial aid application. It’s crucial to read the Student Aid Report (SAR) to determine if you are required to submit other documents, such as income tax returns or selective service registration confirmation, etc. The Financial Aid Office is unable to process a financial aid application until all required documents have been submitted.

 

Can I challenge courses or transfer in credits from another school?
Please speak with an LSIC staff member to discuss transfer options.  Occasionally students may need to take an IT course at another school, however, most students are able to complete all the coursework through BCC.  Course transfers require additional paperwork at certificate completion.

 

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My IT experience is beyond the level of the courses in the program. Do I still have to take those courses?
Please contact the LSIC to discuss your experience and background.  In most cases, we can find alternative IT courses to satisfy the certificate requirements.

 

What are online classes like?
The MEDIT courses are taught in a format that builds a community where participants learn from the instructor as well as other students.  Instructors provide assignments which may include reading, watching a video, researching on the Internet and posting to a class discussion board.  Responding to other students and discussing the weekly course topics is the backbone of each class.  The final MEDIT course includes a capstone project where students demonstrate use of the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the program.

 

What if I don’t have time to take 10 credits each quarter?
The program is designed to be completed at a rate of 2 classes (ten credits) per quarter beginning fall quarter. However, you may begin the program early by taking the IT courses first. If you do not have prior experience in either IT or Healthcare, you may wish to complete some introductory courses before beginning the certificate program.

 

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How do I register for classes after the first day of class?
If you are using a tuition waiver or registering late (any time between the 4th and 10th day of the quarter) complete the online blue card at: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/services/bluecard.asp. For instructor contact information, call the Life Science Informatics Center at 425-564-4182. Following instructor approval, Admissions will complete registration and contact you regarding payment.  Please contact the LSIC if you will be doing this, so we can give you access to the online courses as soon as they start.

 

I tried to register, but I get a message that I need an entry code.  What does this mean?
Usually this means you have not met all the prerequisites for the course.  Please contact the LSIC for an entry code.

 

The online course catalog lists two certificates. What is the difference between the 45 credit certificate and the 30 credit certificate?
We conducted a program evaluation in spring 2005 and included students, faculty and advisory board members who collectively recommended reducing the certificate from 45 to 30 credits. We accomplished this by removing the introductory computer course (those skills are now a prerequisite), compressing 4 Medical Informatics courses into 3, and eliminating the elective requirements. The change to the program was made after submissions to the catalog and schedule had already been finalized, so you will still see the 45 credit program listed. The 30 credit program is the current, active program we are running.

 

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What if I miss a class one quarter?
Courses are only offered in sequence fall, winter and spring. If you miss a MEDIT course, you must wait until the following year to make it up. The technology courses may be offered more frequently, but that is not guaranteed. Please speak with an LSIC representative if you will miss a course, so we can help you determine the best time to make it up.

 

Do I need computer skills?
Intermediate computer skills are a prerequisite for the program. Understanding an operating system environment, word processing skills and web browsing skills are necessary. Important is an interest and desire to learn more about technology. If you do not already posses computer skills, you can take an introductory class, such as BTS 161, prior to enrolling in the program.

 

Do I need health care experience?
Many of our students have a strong IT background and lack healthcare experience. If you have not worked in a healthcare field previously, we strongly advise taking a medical terminology class on line (non credit) or in person (credit), prior to or during the Medical Informatics program.  Other classes recommended as an excellent supplement for those without healthcare experience include: HPRO 100- Introduction to Health Care, HPRO 125 - Introduction to Human Systems, HPRO 130 - Human Relations in Health Care Setting

 

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How much does the program cost?
The program is offered as an open enrollment program. Tuition is charged by the credit hour, based on the current, per-credit fee structure at BCC. Please note that all tuition & fee rates are subject to change by the Board of Trustees and/or the Washington state legislature.  Currently, the total cost of the certificate for a WA resident taking 10 credits per quarter through distance education is approximately $2,800.00, excluding text books and supplies.

 

How do I get my certificate at the end of the program?
For a certificate of accomplishment:

  • Download and print an application (PDF)

  • Applications also available at the Student Services Center located in the Student Services Building.

  • NO FEE is required.

  • Fill out one application for each certificate.

  • Submit applications to the Student Services Center.

If you are substituting courses from another institution:

    • A completion worksheet, if there are substitutions for the required curriculum.

    • Official transcript(s), if any substitution or required courses where taken at another college.

     

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