Hi Dani,
I’m Bola and first I want to say thanks for all your detailed responses to the questions. I’ve learned soo much from them.
The hospital I work for will be transitioning to Epic starting Jan 2019. I’ve applied to a few of the many openings and I’m waiting for their response. I’m a pharmacist working in-patient.
Question…. Is the certification process difficult?? I mean the tests, and projects required to pass and earn certified status? I have no IT experience and I can’t keep wondering if I’ll be in over my head with this challenge ?
Thanks
Hi Bola!
Thank you for dropping by and you’re very welcome! I am glad you have found the information here helpful and that you took the time to say so 🙂
As an inpatient pharmacist you’re in a good position to thrive as either an Epic Willow Inpatient or Epic Willow Ambulatory Analyst so that’s great!
Is the certification process difficult?
I hate to be vague but I’ll say it like this… It is taxing and not everyone makes it through the entire certification process. With Epic certification, it’s all or nothing, so if you do really well on some parts but not all parts you won’t get certified.
The certification process is a gradual buildup and if you stay on top the process, or better yet, ahead of the process (see my tips to Matt for doing so here) then you’ll be in a good position to excel and make it all the way through.
Before you head off to the classes in Wisconsin, start going through the material, that will help solidify the material as you’re being taught in person. It’s so easy to feel lost if you go in blind. You’ll have access to the training materials once you register for the classes.
The projects were my favorite part because you get to simulate a real-life Epic Willow build but the good thing is you can make mistakes and not kill anyone and keep correcting any mistakes you make until you get a perfect score! Take full advantage of that.
The tests are not particularly “hard” BUT they can be tricky… You have to, have to, have to, make sure you read each question very carefully and really understand what they are asking you for. That’s where most people get tripped up.
The good thing is that you get more than one chance to take it. Most organizations will allow you to have two attempts at the certification exam and some will even give you three. I’ve never heard of any organization that gives analysts only one shot at the exam, I think the multiple chance thing is an Epic mandate.
With regard to you not having any IT experience, don’t worry about that. Your clinical knowledge will help you more because Epic does a great job of educating you in the technical part.
I hope that helps to put your mind at ease. Feel free to leave any additional comments or follow-up questions in the Comments section below and I’ll respond the best I can.
Good luck with your applications… I hope you get selected for something you’ll enjoy doing! 🙂
Thank you so much Dani…..you’ve been so helpful! I’ll definitely keep you posted
You’re welcome! 🙂
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