EMR Specialist - Dallas - Texas Orthopaedic Associates (2640)

Job Summary: The EMR Specialist serves as the practices subject matter expert for athenahealth (athenaOne) and the applications that integrate with it. This role completes provider and staff requests, customizes workflows, troubleshoots and tests the EMR, integrations, and new software releases, and trains new and tenured staff on best practices. Works directly with the Chief Operations Officer on integrations, vendor management, and system optimization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The essential duties of the position include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Key Functions:
Athena Subject Matter Expertise & User Support
Serve as the practices subject matter expert (SME) for athenahealth (athenaOne) and the primary resource for providers, staff, and leadership on all things Athena.
Provide first-level contact and problem resolution for all users with application issues. Respond to requests for assistance by phone, email, and/or help desk system, and track each request through resolution.
Open, track, and escalate cases with athenahealth support (Success Community) and other vendors, following through to timely resolution.
Create and manage user accounts, roles, and permissions; ensure access matches job function and is promptly removed at separation.
Provider Requests & Workflow Customization
Complete provider and staff requests for EMR build and configuration changes in a timely, prioritized manner.
Build and customize provider workflows and content, including encounter/exam templates, order sets, favorites, macros, clinical alerts and rules, tasking filters, and clinical and scheduling templates.
Analyze utilization of applications and workflows to identify areas of improvement; design creative, efficient workflows that reduce documentation burden and increase provider adoption.
Monitor work queues, unsigned documents, and open items; partner with managers to resolve backlogs.
Integrated Applications & Interfaces
Support and maintain the third-party applications that integrate with Athena (e.g., patient engagement, call center and telephony, labs, imaging, e-prescribing, and reporting tools).
Work with the COO and vendors to scope, configure, and test new integrations and interfaces, and validate that data flows correctly between systems.
Monitor interfaces for errors or failed data transfers, identify root cause, and coordinate fixes with athenahealth and vendors.
Maintain documentation of system configurations, integrations, and vendor contacts.
Troubleshooting, Testing & Release Management
Troubleshoot application and workflow issues, identify root cause, and document resolutions to prevent recurrence.
Review athenahealth release notes ahead of each release; assess impact on current workflows and recommend which new features the practice should adopt.
Develop and execute test plans for new releases, configuration changes, and integrations before go-live; document results and coordinate sign-off with the COO.
Lead implementation of new applications and features, including planning, testing, training, go-live support, and post-go-live follow-up.
Training & Education
Develop and maintain company-wide application training, including orientation materials, schedules, protocols, manuals, tip sheets, quick reference guides, presentations, and training checklists.
Train new employees during onboarding and provide ongoing training for tenured staff and providers on best practices, workflow changes, and new release features.
Assess users comfort and proficiency with applications, identify training gaps, and communicate findings to the COO.
Communicate system changes, updates, and release highlights to users through meetings, memos, and emails so staff stay informed.
Additional Responsibilities
Provide patient-level support for patient-facing tools such as the patient portal and online scheduling.
Assist with deployment of hardware components across locations as directed.
Uphold HIPAA privacy and security standards in all system access, configuration, and support activities.
Work independently with minimal supervision, manage competing priorities, and follow through on requests.
All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Associates or Bachelors degree in health information management, healthcare administration, information technology, or a related field preferred.
Experience:
Minimum of 1–3 years of hands-on experience with athenahealth (athenaOne) in a medical practice setting; experience as an administrator, super-user, or EMR support specialist strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience building templates and customizing provider workflows in an EMR.
Experience troubleshooting software issues and testing system changes, upgrades, or new releases.
Experience training adult learners, both one-on-one and in groups.
Experience supporting third-party integrations or interfaces preferred; familiarity with HL7 a plus.
Skills:
Strong understanding of clinical and front-office workflows (scheduling, check-in, documentation, orders, results, and messaging).
Working knowledge of how EMR documentation and workflows affect charge capture and billing.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users and providers.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills; detail-oriented in documentation.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and quick to learn new software.
Licensure/Certification: None required. EMR-related certification (e.g., Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist, CEHRS) preferred.
Work Environment: Position works in a climate-controlled office environment with little or no potential interference from elements or sound. Can potentially transition to working remotely at home. Occasional travel between practice locations required.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position typically works 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday. One-third or less of time will be spent standing. Two-thirds or more of time worked will be sitting, using hands and fingers to type or handle paper. The position requires the ability to reach with hands or arms. Occasionally, the position will be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds. To successfully perform the duties of the job, the ability to talk and hear is required.