Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled a new training program in support of its EHR modernization effort and Cerner system implementation.
The new training initiative, called the VA Innovative Technology Advancement Lab, aims to help clinicians and staff learn to use the agency's new EHR system to enhance implementation. VA awarded Cerner a $16B contract in 2018 to develop and deploy a new EHR system across its care network.
VA has selected 76 trainees who have already begun projects for the program, which will span an estimated 12 months to 18 months. The clinical and frontline staff who participate in VITAL will develop both technical and support change management skills for the EHR.
"VA established VITAL to specially train staff who can identify possible challenges and work across the entire VA organization to make improvements," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, according to the news release. "VITAL is an important component in our larger training strategy, which will help ensure efficient and timely user adoption of the modernized EHR system."