If you’ve been in healthcare IT for any amount of time, you know that Epic Systems is a major player in enterprise-wide EHR and clinical software. Their solutions are in many of the largest hospitals and clinics in the US, including many high-profile teaching institutions. This of course has created thousands of high-paying jobs as analysts and administrators. An Epic analyst can work just about anywhere in the US and in some countries abroad. Let’s look at how to get Epic certified, and how to overcome the barriers to entry.
Epic Certification – The Hard Reality
The challenge is that there are limited paths to get training on Epic’s suite of products. First off, you can apply directly to work at Epic at their headquarters near Madison, WI. They require that most of their staff work onsite, which means living in that area. So for this article, I’m not going to advise on how to get hired with Epic. There are other resources you can find online to help you prepare for an interview with Epic. You could start with this Epic subreddit.
Epic does not allow just anyone to gain access to their training materials and courses, no matter how much money you have. Besides direct employment with Epic, there are two ways to get access to their training materials:
- Work for a hospital or clinic group who has signed a contract with Epic to implement their system. They will pay for you to go to classes in Madison, and arrange your access to Epic’s portal, which contains everything you need to learn and support the software,
- Work for a consulting group that provides technical or operational services to Epic clients. They will also sponsor your Epic certification the same way that a hospital would.
If anyone tells you that you can get Epic certification through some backdoor channel, you can be sure that it is a scam. Also, certified analysts like me cannot share Epic’s internal materials.
Every other post I’ve read on Epic certification stops here. However, I’m going to give you three strategies that you can use toincrease your chances of getting Epic certification sponsorship through a hospital or other organization. Which options you take will depend on where you are right now.
If you already work at a hospital that has or is going to implement Epic:Congratulations, you are already halfway there! You just need to work on a plan to get from your current department into the IT department, or from the IT department into an Epic position. If you are in another hospital department, read the post below on moving from a CNA or MA position to IT. Even though it speaks to those job roles, it has great strategies for anyone who is trying to move from another clinical department. It has a month-by-month plan to help you get into your hospital’s IT department:
Make The Jump From CNA to Health IT
Some of my favorite people in Healthcare are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Medical Assistants (MAs). They are some of the hardest-working, under-appreciated, and usually underpaid people in Healthcare. They are the foot soldiers who deliver the frontline care in ...
Read More
Once you have gotten into the hospital IT department, you now have to prove that you are worth investing the time and money that it takes to achieve Epic certification. It doesn’t hurt to go ahead and apply for any open Epic analyst positions unless those positions specifically state that existing certification is required.
Fortunately, there are two other routes that get you closer to certification without your organization needing to spend the money to send you to Epic for training classes.
The first strategy toward certification is the Epic Credentialed Trainer position. I’ve written a complete post on that, so check that out and pick up again here.
Epic Credentialed Trainer, Epic Trainer Jobs
Just about every week, I get at least one email from someone who wants to get certified in Epic Systems' software. That's not surprising considering that 1, Epic is about the hottest thing going in electronic health records in the US these days; and 2, there are some very steep barriers ...
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You see now that the Epic Credentialed Trainer is a good entry-level way to get exposed to Epic. If you are successful in that position, you have a decent chance to work toward certification using our next strategy. This option is called Epic proficiency, as opposed to certification.
Epic Proficiency vs Certification
The difference between Epic proficiency vs certification is that with certification, your sponsor pays to send you to Epic to take classes before you start studying for exams. With proficiency, you get permission from your employer to study on your own without the cost of travel and the class fees. You still have to pass the test, although with a slightly lower score than a certified analyst. Also like certification tracks, most proficiencies have a project that you build and submit to Epic. So bottom line, proficiency usually does not cost your organization much beyond the time spent studying and testing, and printing of study manuals.
I can tell you that self-studying for proficiency is not easy. If you have been working with the system as a Credentialed Trainer, then you have a better chance of succeeding because you have already been exposed to the system. In any case, the Epic course manuals are top-notch, and if you are focused and disciplined, you can succeed.
Not Currently Working At A Hospital
So what do you do if you don’t work at a hospital that has Epic? There are a couple of more strategies that may get you a bit closer.
Epic Go-Live Support Jobs
When a large IT project nears its activation date, it is common for an organization to realize that it needs a lot of staff onsite for a short time period to provide “at the elbow” support for clinical staff. A specialty activation support company may provide dozens of people who are able to show basic application functionality. The firm piles them on a plane and sends them to a hospital system or clinic locations. Sometimes they use staff who don’t have application build experience. If you have at least some technical skills, and a basic understanding of clinical terminology, you might be able to get a spot with an activation support company. After supporting several implementations, you then have a chance to get the firm to sponsor you for certification, or get hired by a hospital IT department.
To look for activation support companies, go to this page of over 370 healthcare IT companies. Then in the on-page search box, type “activation support”. This will show you several companies that may have go-live support jobs.
The last option I’m presenting is to look at entry level hospital IT jobs outlined in the post below. These are jobs that don’t require clinical knowledge and are designed to get you in the door of a hospital IT department:
Entry Level Information Technology Jobs In Healthcare IT
If you're looking to learn aboutentry level information technology jobs, this is the post for you. Yes, this is a Healthcare Technology site, and maybe you're wondering if your technology career should be in the Healthcare arena ...
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How Hard Are Epic Certification Exams?
Well, the short answer is pretty hard. However, I probably have average to slightly above average intelligence, and I’ve done quite well on my exams. Their instructors and materials are excellent. The key is to do exactly as the instructors advise. Here are some tips:
- Don’t take any shortcuts in the materials. Follow all of the exercises without skipping anything,
- Do your project before you take the exam,
- Don’t focus on rote memorization, and don’t waste time making your own flashcards. Instead, spend a lot of time working in the practice system to build everything called for in the book.
How Long Does It Take To Get Epic Certified?
The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on which certification you take, but generally each track will require about three classes and at least one project. There will usually be 2-3 tests. If you work for a hospital, you will usually be expected to achieve certification within six months.
To summarize, your best options for Epic certification sponsorship if you already work in a hospital that has Epic:
- Epic Credentialed Trainer
- Epic Proficiency, which doesn’t require travel or class fees
If you don’t work at a hospital that has Epic:
- Go-live support jobs
- Entry-level IT jobs
Summary
Article Name
How To Get Epic Certified; Epic Systems Certification and Proficiency
Description
Here is the truth at Epic certification, and how to get Epic certified. Proficiency vs certification and Epic go-live support jobs.
Author
Dave Newman
HealthcareITSkills.com
HealthcareITSkills.com
https://healthcareitskills.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cropped-healthit-green-logo-1.png
FAQs
Can you get Epic certified on your own? ›
See our Epic Consulting and Permanent Jobs Here.
You can't just apply for Epic certification on your own. Certification also requires hands-on work on one or more Epic projects. This is typically completed at the hospital where you're employed.
The difference between Epic proficiency vs certification is that with certification, your sponsor pays to send you to Epic to take classes before you start studying for exams. With proficiency, you get permission from your employer to study on your own without the cost of travel and the class fees.
What is the easiest Epic certification? ›If you do already work for a hospital that is planning an Epic implementation, the easiest path to an Epic certification is to become an Epic Credentialed Trainer or to get an Epic Proficiency, which can be completed without having to travel to Epic's headquarters.
How long does it take to complete Epic certification? ›Most physicians will need an average of 10 hours of training and four hours of time in the proficiency and learning lab. In some specialty areas, there may be a need for two to four additional hours, depending on what applications you will use.
How hard is the Epic certification exam? ›Is The Epic Certification Exam Hard? The short answer is, yes. The Epic certification test is very challenging. However, the training materials and instructors are very helpful.
Are Epic certification exams open book? ›What resources can trainees use? Exams are open-book, open-system, so exam-takers may use the Epic training companion (electronic and/or hardcopy), their own personal notes (electronic and/or hardcopy), and the Epic system (UserWeb, certification environments (fka iSWTD)).
Which Epic certification is most in demand? ›- Ambulatory – 9.4%
- Resolute – 7.4%
- Willow – 6.4%
- Orders – 6.2%
- OP Time – 5.1. %
- Cadence – 4.8%
These top 5 Epic careers have an average of $96,600 and non-Epic careers have an average of $64,597. On average, there is a difference of $32,000 in salary between an Epic certified career and non-Epic. That is a huge gap of income that you are potentially missing out on.
Is it hard to get hired by Epic? ›Maybe 1-3% acceptance rate. The exam is pretty difficult, interviews are much more relaxed compared to other places. If you are a good test taker/smart, it is very easy. If you are not, you will likely not get the job.
How much do epic certifications cost? ›My question for you all is about the cost of Epic certification. I understand that the cost is paid by the employer/organization/sponsor and varies depending on what module a participant seeks certification in. From what I've learned is that the cost is anywhere between $500 - $10,000.
What is the average salary of an Epic employee? ›
FAQs About Epic
Epic pays its employees an average of $74,854 a year. Salaries at Epic range from an average of $51,814 to $111,688 a year.
Epic says certified individuals should expect to take Application Essentials and Booster Training approximately every five years and both should be taken in the same year.
What is the passing score for Epic certification? ›A: You will complete the assessment a second time after you have spent time practicing exercises from booklets provided during instructor-led training. Access to the Epic system will not be provided until a passing score of 80% or higher is achieved by the learner.
Do you get paid for Epic training? ›Epic credentialed trainers make $75,929 per year on average, or $36.5 per hour, in the United States.
How do you list Epic certifications on resume? ›2) Epic Certifications: Make your certifications stand out by giving them their own section after your professional summary. List all of your healthcare IT related certifications in a bullet format. Be sure to include all Epic modules where you have received certification.
Can you use a calculator on Epic skills test? ›You are allowed the use of a basic calculator (not your phone or computer's calculator). You're also allowed the use of scratch paper. The paper should be loose leaf, not a notebook. You'll be required to show the Proctor any scratch paper you're using.
Can I learn Epic online? ›Our Epic Online Learning option is an easy to use, interactive and self-paced learning program. How do I gain access to Online Learning? Our Access to Online Learning page contains login instructions and a link to launch Online Learning.
How long does it take to get hired at Epic? ›How long does it take to get hired at Epic? The hiring process at Epic takes an average of 25 days when considering 6,024 user submitted interviews across all job titles.
How long is the Epic Systems exam? ›You should be able to finish it in around 2~2.5 hrs. It is relatively lengthy, sure, but the interview process in a whole is pretty well streamlined so I don't think it's unreasonable. There are plenty of great previous posts here (or on glassdoor) about the content of the assessment, so I suggest you look them up.
What is Epic certification like? ›What are Epic certifications? Epic certifications are those offered by Epic, a healthcare software company that specializes in creating and implementing software programs for hospitals, care clinics and other types of healthcare facilities. IT professionals specializing in healthcare can earn these certifications.
How long does Epic skills assessment take? ›
The whole process should take between 2-4 weeks. Only about 3-4% of applicants get the job with the biggest hurdle being the Epic skills assessment.
Which is easier Epic or Cerner? ›Cerner Vs Epic: Nursing
For EMRs and electronic charting, hospitals also use Cerner, but the majority of nurses from large hospitals say Epic is relatively more user-friendly. While charting, Cerner does not allow them to look up anything else.
Epic Consultant Education Requirements. There are several education requirements to become an epic consultant. Epic consultants usually study business, nursing or computer science. 54% of epic consultants hold a bachelor's degree and 19% hold a associate degree.
Does Epic give raises? ›Compensation & Stock
You'll be eligible for raises and bonuses annually, as well as stock options, which give you an even greater stake in the success of Epic and our customers.
Great comp, benefits, advancement - at a price.
Epic pays its employees well and offers fair/above average health benefits and advancement opportunities at the cost of employee mental health, work/life balance, and flexibility.
Average Epic Games Programmer yearly pay in the United States is approximately $142,457, which is 87% above the national average.
What is the difference between Epic credentialed trainer and certified? ›EPIC Credentialing
Unlike EPIC certification, EPIC credentials are only valid for the institution for which you're credentialed. If you move on to another institution, you have to become re-credentialed. The process requires not only training, but that you actually present sample lessons and gain EPIC's approval.
Bi-weekly, every two weeks.
How do you get Epic proficiency? ›To get trained and certified as an Epic consultant, you have to work at Epic or get sponsored by a healthcare employer. You must then complete the onsite training at Epic headquarters at Verona. The Epic certification will demonstrate your skills and abilities in one or more software modules.
Is Epic hard to learn? ›Epic is also difficult to learn, and the certification process can be very challenging. Vast amounts of data need to be logged for every patient visit and procedure. Other reasons why it was found to be bad were the low-quality training, unfair pricing, poor customer support, and insufficient data entry.
What is Epic certification training? ›
Epic is a leading electronic health record (EHR) system, and plenty of benefits exist when you become certified. Some professionals seek certification because they work in a healthcare environment that uses this robust application while others want to offer Epic consulting services.
How much does Epic cost per month? ›We have two payment plans for this subscription: Monthly: With a monthly plan, you pay $9.99 USD per month - there's no commitment, you can cancel at any time. Annual: Save 33%! With the annual plan, you pay $79.99 USD per year (that's just $6.67 USD per month).
How much does Epic cost for a private practice? ›Epic EMR's pricing starts at $1,200.00 for their self-hosted solutions, according to our research. Epic does not provide pricing for their EMR on their website. SMBGuide research further found that for large clinics and hospitals the cost of Epic EMR is around $500,000.00.
What is the highest paid Epic analyst? ›While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $206,500 and as low as $52,500, the majority of EPIC Analyst salaries currently range between $88,500 (25th percentile) to $152,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $182,500 annually across the United States.
How much does Epic make a week? ›| Annual Salary | Weekly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $125,000 | $2,403 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,000 | $1,980 |
| Average | $70,895 | $1,363 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,500 | $759 |
Epic Hyperspace - Bridges Interface Certification Min to Max Hourly Salary Min: USD $43.17/Hr. Max: USD $64.75/Hr. Min to Max Annual Salary Min Salary: USD $89,788.00/Yr.
Does Epic do drug test? ›Various occupational medicine services are available at Epic urgent care palatine including DOT and non-DOT drug testing, employment physicals, DOT physicals, onsite Covid testing, onsite Flu vaccines, etc.
Can I learn epic system online? ›Our Epic Online Learning option is an easy to use, interactive and self-paced learning program. How do I gain access to Online Learning? Our Access to Online Learning page contains login instructions and a link to launch Online Learning.
Does Epic Systems pay well? ›How much does Epic pay? Epic pays its employees an average of $74,854 a year. Salaries at Epic range from an average of $51,814 to $111,688 a year.
Do Epic certifications expire? ›Epic says certified individuals should expect to take Application Essentials and Booster Training approximately every five years and both should be taken in the same year.
How much is Epic per month? ›
Epic has two subscription levels. They have a free version, which is nice for testing the reading app out but is limited in how many books you can read and how long you can read with it per week (2 hours). Otherwise, Epic Unlimited will cost you $7.99 per month, or $71.99 per year if you pre-pay.
What are the disadvantages of epic? ›Epic's shortcomings come in the form of integration and price. Epic discourages its users from sharing data with any other software systems. It even charges a fee to send data to non-Epic platforms. This contributes to the price tag that pushes some users away.
How much is epic each month? ›We have two payment plans for this subscription: Monthly: With a monthly plan, you pay $9.99 USD per month - there's no commitment, you can cancel at any time. Annual: Save 33%! With the annual plan, you pay $79.99 USD per year (that's just $6.67 USD per month).
Is IT hard to get hired by Epic? ›Maybe 1-3% acceptance rate. The exam is pretty difficult, interviews are much more relaxed compared to other places. If you are a good test taker/smart, it is very easy. If you are not, you will likely not get the job.
How much can you make with being Epic certified? ›How much does an EPIC Certified Application Analyst Associate make in the United States? The average EPIC Certified Application Analyst Associate salary in the United States is $89,533 as of January 26, 2023, but the range typically falls between $78,403 and $100,093.