One of the primary reasons why obtaining an Epic certification is challenging is the upfront cost to employers. Sending someone to Epic headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin, costs around five to ten thousand dollars per employee. On top of that, employers have to pay for the employee's transportation, which includes flights, hotel stays, and food expenses. For instance, when I went to Verona last year, Johns Hopkins paid for a personal limousine service to pick me up from the airport and take me to my hotel. From the hotel, I had to take an Uber to the Epic headquarters, and these expenses were also reimbursed. These costs can amount to thousands of dollars, making it a significant investment for employers.
The second reason why getting an Epic certification is so hard is due to the steep learning curve. Many people who are sent to Epic Verona for certification fail their exams because of the difficulty in learning the software. The exams are open notes, but the complexity of the projects is what often trips people up. Epic teaches their software based on a common workflow they believe hospitals will use; however, each hospital has different laws and regulations around billing and clinical staff usage. This means that once you start working at your organization, you'll need to customize the Epic software to fit your organization's specific needs. Furthermore, it takes time to learn Epic. Even after certification, you need to start with smaller tasks to get comfortable before taking on bigger builds. It can take about six months for someone new to grasp their module fully.
The third reason is employee retention. Companies are wary of certifying employees only for them to jump ship to another company. Once certified, many companies will reach out to hire you because they won't have to bear the upfront costs your initial employer did. This makes certified professionals very attractive hires, potentially leading to a $15,000 to $20,000 discount for the new employer. Additionally, certified employees are not required to stay at an organization for a set amount of years, making it easy for them to leave whenever they want. This lack of retention is a significant concern for employers investing heavily in certification.
In conclusion, getting an Epic certification is challenging due to the high upfront costs for employers, the steep learning curve of the software, and the issue of employee retention. To navigate these challenges, consider taking on the upfront costs yourself, pursuing continuous education, and staying with your current organization for a longer period to build trust. By understanding these hurdles and preparing for them, you can make your journey to Epic certification smoother and more successful. If you found value in this video, please give it a like, and I hope these insights help you get one step closer to your Epic journey career. Thank you, and have a good day!