Partnership Between A-B Tech and Goodwill Prepares Job Seekers For Careers in Electronic Medical Records

ASHEVILLE, N.C., July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College have partnered to offer a class to train employees for one of today's fastest-growing career fields and to help health care providers meet a new federal requirement that all health care records be available electronically.

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The first session in Electronic Medical Records for Medical Office begins Aug. 19 and lasts for 12 weeks. The class will meet at Goodwill's Workforce Development Center in Asheville.

Electronic Medical Records students will learn effective management, documentation and communication using electronic health information and participate in hands-on training to navigate through the various applications found in SuiteMed, a typical electronic medical records software system. A high school diploma or GED and basic computer skills are required for the course.

By 2014, the federal government is requiring all health records to be available electronically. "This mandate will mean new jobs for people who have skills in managing electronic health information," said Shelley White, A-B Tech's Senior Executive Director of Economic & Workforce Development/Continuing Education. The clinical and administrative medical support field already is one of the fastest-growing careers today, with a 34 percent growth increase expected over the next seven years. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average yearly starting salary for an electronic medical records technician is $25,000.  

"We are very excited to be able to offer this class as an opportunity for job seekers to explore new and innovative career fields and perhaps enhance some skills they already possess," said Joshua Pierce, Goodwill director of Workforce Development.  "Our partnership with A-B Tech enables us to offer classes in fields where jobs are available and pools the complementary strengths of both our organizations."

A-B Tech and Goodwill already are partners in a variety of classes, including Nurse Aide I, Computer Basics, Computer Empowerment, Foundations of Mathematics, Office Professional Certifications, Hospitality, GED and English as a Second Language. A-B Tech provides the instructors and curriculum while Goodwill provides materials, space, admissions assistance and placement services for graduates of the classes.  

"Electronic Medical Records training is designed for both clinical and administrative medical personnel," said White. "Considering the number of medical facilities in our community, the need is great.  We are pleased to provide EMR training in partnership with Goodwill, expanding our partnership and creating new opportunities for students at this facility."

About Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina

Goodwill is a private, nonprofit organization serving the community since 1926. Goodwill believes all people, regardless of situation, should have access to meaningful employment. Through workforce development programs, Goodwill helps individuals develop the skills they need for today's job market.  A significant portion of the funding for its programs comes from sales of donated items in its retail stores. By donating to Goodwill or shopping in its stores, individuals support workforce development programs serving more than 40,000 people in northwest NC each year.

About Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

A-B Tech, the community's college, is dedicated to student success. One of 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College System, A-B Tech offers associate degrees, diplomas or certificates in more than 60 curriculum programs through its academic divisions. The Office of Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education offers classes and training to support the economic and cultural development of the community. A-B Tech enrolls nearly 27,000 curriculum and continuing education students, and an estimated one in four Buncombe and Madison residents has attended a class at the College.

SOURCE Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College