The Road To Epic Certification: Why Should You Do It?

Epic is the name of the largest and most used EHRs (electronic health records) in the United States. It is used by most large hospitals, and continues to get contracts for new hospitals. IT professionals that work in healthcare usually get Epic certification. If you are interested in getting Epic Certified, looking for more information on the process, or wondering if it’s worth it, we’ve got all the info you need here.

What Is The Epic Certification?

Epic certification is a credential for IT professionals in the healthcare industry who use Epic software, the leading electronic health records (EHR) system in the United States. 

To become certified, candidates must complete a thorough training program and pass a certification exam, demonstrating their proficiency in using Epic to manage patient records and healthcare operations.

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Epic Module Specialization

Epic software includes specialized modules tailored to various hospital departments, enhancing functionality and workflow efficiency. Here are some common modules:

• Emergency & Urgent Care (ASAP): Simplifies documentation and decision-making in busy emergency and urgent care settings by providing comprehensive patient information and active decision support.
• Oncology (Beacon): Manages a patient’s oncology journey with standardized chemotherapy protocols and radiation therapy tracking tools. Facilitates the submission of staging data to national registries.
• Lab (Beaker): Integrates lab workflows across acute, outpatient, and outreach labs into one system, connecting lab staff directly to the full care team for streamlined operations.
• Nephrology (Beans): Provides clinical documentation tools, reports, and department dashboards to manage chronic dialysis populations and track their progress with quality metrics.
• Orthopedics (Bones): Offers orthopedists easy access to necessary information and tools to streamline common tasks, such as joint injections.
• Radiology (Radiant): Features automated scheduling, follow-up tracking, and detailed reporting in a unified system that keeps radiologists connected with the entire care team.
• Cardiology (Cupid): Facilitates exam scheduling and management, result routing, and seamless charging. Connects directly to cardiology PACS and other systems.
• Dermatology: Streamlines common tasks for dermatologists, allowing for easy diagnosis on an avatar, documentation of cryotherapy procedures, and prescription of topical treatments.
• Obstetrics, Labor & Delivery, and Fertility (Stork): Simplifies pregnancy and birth documentation, enabling providers to organize and view the complete course of care for both mother and newborn conveniently.

How To Earn The Epic Certification

First of all, you must be sponsored by an employer to be eligible for the Epic certification program. Epic is particular, and will not let just anyone become certified in using their software. It is often easier to get certification if you work for, or are sponsored by, a healthcare system that has already implemented or is in the process of implementing the Epic software system.

You can also be certified if you work for the Epic company itself. Therefore, there are only two ways to get certified — working for Epic itself, or working for an organization that uses the software.

Anyone working with the Epic system must be certified, so members of the staff are often sponsored and sent for certification. The certification program takes place at the Epic headquarters in Wisconsin, and consists of hands-on and in-depth training on the system. After the training has concluded, candidates must pass the certification test.

Epic Proficiency Vs. Epic Certification

Epic proficiency is exactly as it sounds — it means that you are proficient in using the system. It is a self-created title, and does not mean you are certified. After enough self-study, one can become ‘proficient’ in using the software, but certification cannot be claimed without going through the in-person training and passing the test.

Photo by Alissa De Leva on Unsplash

Is The Epic Certification Exam Hard?

In short, yes, the Epic certification exam is pretty challenging. But don’t let that scare you. The training materials and instructors are there to help you succeed. It’s super important to read each question carefully and thoroughly prepare for it. The key to doing well is to not skip any parts of the exam and make sure you fully understand each exercise.

One big tip: finish your project before the exam. It gives you a practical understanding of the system, which is crucial. And remember, practice makes perfect. Spend plenty of time using the system rather than just reading about it. By focusing on hands-on practice, you’ll build the confidence and skills needed to ace the exam. Also, make sure to thoroughly read through each question to avoid any mistakes and ensure you understand what is being asked.

Epic Certification Cost

The Epic certification can be a significant investment, with costs ranging from $500 to $10,000. On average, most people spend about $5,000 on the program. 

The good news is that you probably won’t have to pay out of pocket for these expenses. Instead, the certification costs are usually covered by your sponsoring employer, whether it’s a healthcare organization using Epic or Epic itself. 

This sponsorship ensures you get the training you need without the financial burden.

Photo by Johny Georgiadis on Unsplash

How Much Money Can I Make Being Epic Certified?

Salaries for Epic-certified professionals can be quite attractive, but they can vary based on experience, the specific employer, and location. To gather comprehensive data, we scrolled through numerous sites, including leading job boards like Indeed.com, Talent.com, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn.

Epic Application Coordinator

The estimated total pay range is $68K–$107K per year, with an average base salary of $79K and an additional average pay of $6K per year. This extra pay could come from bonuses, stock options, commissions, and profit sharing.

Epic Project Manager

The average salary for an Epic Project Manager in the USA is around $131,625 per year, or $63.28 per hour. Entry-level positions start at approximately $105,075 per year, while the most experienced professionals can earn up to $166,400 per year.

Epic Analyst

On average, an Epic Analyst earns about $103,936 per year, or $49.97 per hour. Entry-level analysts can expect to start at around $88,780 per year, with the potential to make up to $145,320 per year as they gain more experience.

Epic Report Writer/Analyst

The average salary for an Epic Certified Report Writer/Analyst in the United States is $101,390 per year, typically ranging between $89,190 and $113,390. These salaries can vary widely depending on factors such as education, certifications, additional skills, and years of experience.

Epic Trainer

The average salary for an Epic Trainer in the USA is $96,584 per year, or $46.43 per hour. Entry-level positions start at about $81,080 per year, while the most experienced trainers can earn up to $130,242 per year.

These salaries are generally higher than those of their non-Epic-certified counterparts, making Epic certification a valuable investment for IT professionals in the healthcare industry.

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Overall: Is Epic Certification Worth It?

Getting Epic certified opens your opportunities for higher positions and higher salaries.

For many hospitals and healthcare facilities that already use Epic, valid and updated Epic certification may in fact be required. In these hospitals, Epic-certified employees are in high demand, and if you have the certification, you will be highly desirable to other healthcare systems should you decide to change jobs.

You will be in even higher demand with multiple Epic certifications, which shows your continued interest and commitment to the system. You will need to continue to update and renew these certificates, however, and that means multiple trips to the training facility, and time out of your normal life. But, overall, the Epic certification will mean higher salaries and more job opportunities.

So, if you have the opportunity to get Epic certification, and you are being sponsored by your company, it is certainly worthwhile. If you have found an alternate way of entering the program, and are starting a new career using the Epic system, the certification will likely also prove useful for your future. If getting a Health Science degree is also something you’d like to pursue, University of the People is the place for you!

FAQs

What is Epic certification and why is it important?

Epic certification is a credential for IT professionals in the healthcare industry who use Epic software, the leading electronic health records (EHR) system in the U.S. It ensures proficiency in managing patient records and streamlining healthcare operations, making certified individuals highly valuable to healthcare organizations.

How do I get sponsored for Epic certification?

Typically, you need sponsorship from your employer, meaning a healthcare organization using Epic or Epic itself must endorse you. It’s often easier to obtain certification if you work for a healthcare system that is implementing or already using Epic software.

What are the costs associated with Epic certification?

Epic certification can cost between $500 and $10,000, with an average of around $5,000. The sponsoring employer usually covers these costs, so individuals typically do not pay out of pocket.

How challenging is the Epic certification exam?

The Epic certification exam is quite challenging. However, you can successfully pass the exam with thorough preparation, hands-on practice, and careful reading of each question. The training materials and instructors are very supportive.

What career opportunities are available for Epic-certified professionals?

Epic-certified professionals can pursue various high-paying roles such as Epic Application Coordinator, Epic Project Manager, Epic Analyst, Epic Report Writer, and Epic Trainer. Additional roles include Epic Clinical Analyst, Epic Systems Administrator, Epic Implementation Specialist, Epic Interface Analyst, Epic Revenue Cycle Analyst, and more. These positions offer competitive salaries and significant career advancement opportunities in the healthcare IT field.