Project Management in the Health IT Workforce

With the increase of 50,000 jobs needed to help facilitate the entire life cycle of healthcare IT adoption and the weakened economy, there is no time like the present for a displaced IT worker, veterans, or mature workers to explore a career in healthcare information technology.  

Healthcare settings present wonderful opportunities for mature professionals who have acquired solid work ethics, have mastered effective verbal and written communication skills, and can facilitate a group to the completion of a task.  

Further, the size of the healthcare organization represents many opportunities as well.  Some organizations have a project management office where all project-related tasks are centralized in one area; others may decentralize the function in individual departments.

Regardless of the approach,

• Professionals who can lead a team of stakeholders to the end goal are in high demand in the healthcare IT setting. 
• Although some level of healthcare experience is valuable, contributions from other industries - such as financial systems, risk management, vendor perspectives, and others – are just as important. 
• Experience from these other industries also may serve as a differentiating factor during the hiring process. 

To help others learn more about project management in a healthcare setting, HIMSS member Susan Houston, RN, BN-C, PMP, MBA, created an online course for HIMSS entitled “Project Management Essentials for Healthcare Informatics.” The course provides an excellent overview for those project managers interested in learning more about the healthcare setting. 

My question to you:  As one who aspires to become a project manager in the health IT setting, what are your biggest obstacles?