College kids over seasoned pros?

College kids over seasoned pros? 

Last week, in this space, I argued that implementing a national EMR infrastructure is going to be really difficult unless we find ways to increase (or stretch) the talent pool of available clinical IT specialists.

At least one reader argues that finding college kids isn't the issue--it's making use of the pros who are already out there. Since I don't have permission to use her name, I won't share it, but I will tell you a little bit about her.

My correspondent has 20 years of IT experience and two master's degrees. She's worked in hospitals, medical practices and outpatient centers for most of her career, first as a clinician and then, after training, as a Microsoft administrator. After that, she conducted many clinical information systems projects, including a complete EMR implementation.

In 2001, due to family issues, she left health IT work for a few years. When she came back she was turned away left and right, she writes. It took her nearly a year to get a job at a "starting salary" in health IT. Along the way, many potential employers told her she needed more recent experience to qualify.

Now, I don't know about you, but based on this profile alone, I'd hire this lady right off the bat, or at least give her a trial. Her theory, which I tend to believe, is that many employers would rather hire untrained college kids who don't push back on benefits, working conditions or hours.

OK, that happens in just about every industry. But if it's happening regularly in health IT, I think we're headed for disaster. I can think of few professions where an IT professional's work has more important consequences. After all, when it comes to healthcare, we're talking life or death decisions based on clinical data.

As I see it, there's no excuse to leave clinical IT management to very junior people. But if people like "Jane" aren't getting a warm welcome, it seems that some executives are ready to compromise. If you're in that camp, well, I'm sure you have your reasons, but it's hard for me to accept.

Meanwhile, if you'd like to know more about Jane please let me know. I'm sure there's some health IT employers out there who appreciate her hard-earned gray hairs! - Anne