17 EHR Implementation Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

An EHR implementation specialist is responsible for the successful implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) in healthcare organizations. They work with staff to ensure that the EHR system is properly installed and configured, and that users are trained on how to use it.

EHR implementation specialists must have a deep understanding of EHRs, as well as the ability to project manage and train others. They must also be able to troubleshoot problems and have a strong attention to detail.

If you’re applying for a job as an EHR implementation specialist, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the most common EHR implementation specialist interview questions, with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act?

This question is a basic knowledge test to ensure you have the necessary background in healthcare technology. The HITEACH Act, also known as HITECH, was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17, 2009. It’s an important piece of legislation that supports and encourages the adoption of EHRs. Your answer should show your understanding of this act and how it affects your role.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. This act provides financial incentives to hospitals and other healthcare providers who implement electronic health records. As an EHR implementation specialist, I work closely with IT departments to help them meet these requirements.”

What are some of the most important factors to consider when selecting an EHR system for a healthcare organization?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of EHR systems and how they can be implemented in a healthcare organization. Your answer should include the most important factors that you consider when selecting an EHR system for a client, including:

Cost-effectiveness Ease of use Security features Example: “I would first evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the EHR system by looking at the total cost of ownership over its lifetime. I also look at the ease of use of the system as well as its security features to ensure that it is safe from cyberattacks. In my last role, we selected a new EHR system based on these three factors.”

How would you approach training staff on the new EHR system once it has been implemented?

The interviewer may want to know how you will ensure that staff members are comfortable using the new EHR system. Your answer should show your ability to train others and communicate effectively.

Example: “I would start by having a meeting with all of the staff where I introduce myself, explain my role as an EHR implementation specialist and give them an overview of what they can expect from the new system. Then, I would hold individual training sessions for each department or group of employees so that everyone has time to ask questions and get used to the new system.”

What is your experience with working with vendors in a healthcare setting?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your experience working with vendors and suppliers. This can be an important part of the job, as you will need to work with vendors to ensure that they provide quality products and services for the organization. In your answer, try to list some specific examples of how you worked with vendors in the past.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for managing vendor contracts and ensuring that we were getting the best deals possible on all our purchases. I also had to make sure that the vendors provided us with the right equipment and supplies when we needed them. For example, if a hospital needed new computers, I would have to find a vendor who could supply those computers at a reasonable price. Then, I would negotiate the contract to get the best deal.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient or family member regarding their medical records.

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to diffuse a tense situation. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving or conflict resolution skills by describing how you handled the situation and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “In my previous role as an EHR implementation specialist, I had a patient who was very upset about his medical records being digital instead of paper. He felt that he should be able to take home his records because they were his property. I explained to him that our hospital’s policy is to keep all medical records in a secure location for privacy reasons. However, I offered to print out a copy of his record for him so that he could have something tangible.”

If hired, what would be your primary focus during your first few months on the job?

This question helps employers understand what you consider to be the most important aspects of your job. It also allows them to see how you prioritize tasks and manage time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list a few specific goals that you would like to achieve during your first few months on the job.

Example: “My primary focus during my first few months on the job would be ensuring that all employees are using the EHR system effectively. I would hold training sessions for staff members so they know how to use the system and can answer any questions from patients or other healthcare professionals. I would also make sure that everyone has access to the help desk if they need assistance with the system.”

What would you do if you noticed that a doctor was not using the E.R.H. properly?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to work with other team members and ensure they are using EHRs correctly. Your answer should show that you can provide constructive feedback in a professional manner.

Example: “I would first meet with the doctor privately to discuss my concerns about their use of the system. I would explain how important it is to enter patient information into the EHR as soon as possible so we can properly document everything. If the doctor continues to not use the system, I would report them to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action.”

How well do you think you can adapt to the changes that come with an E.R.H implementation?

EHR implementation specialists must be able to adapt quickly to the changes that come with implementing a new system. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to adjust to change and can handle the stress of an EHR implementation project. In your answer, explain how you’ve adapted to change in the past and what steps you would take to prepare for future changes during an EHR implementation.

Example: “I think I am quite good at adapting to change. When I first started working as an EHR implementation specialist, my company was switching from one EHR software to another. This meant we had to switch our entire workflow process, which took some time to get used to. However, I learned how to adapt to the new workflow pretty quickly and helped other employees learn it too.”

Do you have any experience working with confidential patient information?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience with handling sensitive information. If you have worked with confidential patient information in the past, share a story about how you handled it and what steps you took to ensure its security. If you haven’t worked with confidential patient information before, you can talk about how you would handle such situations if they arose.

Example: “I’ve never worked with confidential patient information before, but I am aware of the importance of protecting it. In my last role as an EHR implementation specialist, I was responsible for setting up the system so that patients could access their records online. To do this, I had to create a username and password for each patient. I also made sure that all employees were trained on HIPAA compliance.”

When working with a team of IT professionals, how do you determine who is responsible for performing which tasks?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and ability to collaborate with others. Your answer should show that you can work well with a team of professionals, understand the importance of delegation and are able to make decisions about who is best suited for which tasks.

Example: “I first determine what each member’s strengths are so I can assign them to projects they’re most qualified for. For example, if one IT professional excels at coding while another has excellent customer service skills, I would assign the former to write code and the latter to troubleshoot issues with patients or physicians. This ensures that everyone on my team gets to perform their preferred tasks while also learning new skills.”

We want to increase the amount of data we store on each patient. What suggestions do you have for increasing our storage capacity?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of EHRs and how they work. It also allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, as you will need to find ways to increase storage capacity without increasing costs.

Example: “I would recommend using an EMR that has the ability to store more data on each patient. This can be done by reducing the amount of redundant information stored in the system. For example, if a patient’s blood pressure is recorded at every visit, there is no reason for it to be recorded again unless something changes. Another option is to use cloud storage instead of local storage. Cloud storage offers unlimited space, so it may be worth looking into.”

Describe your experience with using E.R.H. software.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have experience using EHR software and can apply it in a professional setting. When answering this question, consider describing the specific EHR software you’ve used and how you applied it in your previous role.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of EHR software throughout my career as an EHR implementation specialist. In my last position, I primarily used Cerner’s EHR software, which allowed me to create patient records, monitor vital signs and document important information about patients’ medical histories. I also used Epic’s EHR software when working at a hospital that implemented the system.”

What makes you the best candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant experience and soft skills.

Example: “I am passionate about helping healthcare professionals use technology to improve patient care. I have extensive knowledge of EHR systems and have implemented them in several hospitals throughout my career. In fact, I was responsible for implementing the same system at two different hospitals where I worked previously. This means I already know many of the challenges that come with this process and have developed strategies to overcome them.”

Which E.R.H. system have you used in the past and what were your experiences with it?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your experience with EHR systems. It’s also a good opportunity for you to show how much you know about different EHR systems and what they can do.

Example: “I’ve used several EHR systems in my past roles, including Epic, Cerner and MEDITECH. Each system has its own unique features that I enjoyed using. For example, I really liked being able to use voice commands on the Epic system because it made entering information into the system faster and more efficient. However, I found that the Cerner system was easier to navigate and had better reporting capabilities.”

What do you think are the most important qualities for an E.R.H. implementation specialist?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer by listing two or three qualities, explaining what they mean to you and giving examples of how you’ve demonstrated them in your past roles.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for an EHR implementation specialist is patience. This job requires a lot of time spent with patients who may be confused about their new system or frustrated with it. I also think it’s important to be organized because there are so many details involved in this type of work. Finally, I think it’s essential to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with others.”

How often do you think an E.R.H. should be updated to reflect changes in healthcare laws and technology?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of EHRs and how you apply that knowledge to your work. Your answer should show that you know when updates are necessary and what steps you take to ensure they happen in a timely manner.

Example: “I think it’s important for an E.R.H. to be updated regularly, especially if there are changes in healthcare laws or technology. I would recommend updating an E.R.H. at least once per year, but depending on the size of the organization, more frequent updates may be needed. For example, smaller organizations might need to update their systems quarterly while larger ones might only need to do so twice a year.”

There is a bug in the E.R.H. that is causing some of the data to be lost. What is your immediate response?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions. Your answer should show that you can think critically, analyze data quickly and make an informed decision.

Example: “I would first check if there are any backups of the lost data. If not, I would immediately contact my supervisor so they could inform the hospital’s IT department. Then, I would ask them to stop all other work until the bug was fixed. This ensures that no more data is lost while we wait for the backup.”