The Road to HL7 FHIR Certification: Why should you do it?

• August 08, 2023

Why choose HL7 FHIR Certification?

HL7 FHIR has evolved from various healthcare standards like HL7 v2, v3, RIM, etc., learning from their drawbacks. This has made FHIR more practical, adaptable, and focused, supporting existing data exchange web standards.

HL7's Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) is an advanced standards framework that integrates the strengths of HL7 Version 2 (V2), Version 3 (V3), and Clinical Document Architecture (CDA®). It embraces modern web standards, emphasizing practical implementation.

FHIR's versatility enables its application in diverse contexts, including mobile apps, cloud communications, EHR-based data sharing, and large healthcare provider server communications.

Do you need FHIR certification to work with it?

Of course not, but obtaining certification can help you fill in many of the missing pieces. FHIR is a publicly available specification, allowing anyone to read, understand, and implement it. However, through certification, you can gain comprehensive knowledge, covering all aspects of the standard. This will enable you to effectively use FHIR in real-life scenarios and not overlook crucial details that might be missed during implementation.

Who needs to be FHIR Certified?

The FHIR certification exam is suitable for a wide range of healthcare professionals, IT developers, and individuals interested in working with healthcare data exchange and interoperability. Specifically, the following groups of people may consider going for the FHIR certification exam:

1. Healthcare IT Professionals:IT professionals working in healthcare organizations, such as health systems, hospitals, clinics, and health IT vendors, can benefit from FHIR certification. It allows them to gain expertise in implementing FHIR standards and developing interoperable systems.
2. Software Developers:Developers interested in building healthcare applications and systems that utilize FHIR standards should consider taking the certification exam. FHIR provides a modern and web-friendly approach to data exchange, making it relevant for developers in various industries.
3. EHR Vendors: Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendors and developers can benefit greatly from FHIR certification. It enables them to ensure their systems are compliant with the latest healthcare interoperability standards.
4. Healthcare Data Analysts:Professionals involved in analyzing and utilizing healthcare data for decision-making and research can expand their knowledge by obtaining FHIR certification.

Overall, anyone involved in healthcare data exchange,system integration, or healthcare IT projects can benefit from FHIR certification. It equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure seamless and secure exchange of health data in today's interconnected healthcare ecosystem.

Why become FHIR Certified Professional?

The purpose of getting FHIR certified is to demonstrate proficiency in working with the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard. FHIR certification validates that an individual has a comprehensive understanding of FHIR and its implementation in healthcare data exchange. Here are some key purposes and benefits of obtaining FHIR certification: .

1. Expertise in FHIR Standards:FHIR certification confirms that the individual possesses in-depth knowledge of the FHIR standard, its underlying concepts, and its usage in healthcare data exchange.
2. Career Advancement:FHIR certification enhances the professional credibility of healthcare IT professionals, developers, and other stakeholders. It can open doors to better career opportunities and advancements in the healthcare industry.
3. Industry Recognition:Certified individuals gain recognition as subject matter experts in healthcare interoperability and FHIR standards. This recognition can lead to more significant contributions to healthcare projects and initiatives.
4. Building Interoperable Systems:FHIR certification equips professionals to develop and implement interoperable systems in healthcare. This is essential as healthcare organizations strive to share data seamlessly between various applications and systems.
5. Compliance with Industry Standards:Many healthcare organizations and projects now require FHIR compliance. FHIR certification ensures that professionals can meet these requirements and contribute effectively to interoperability initiatives.
6. Improving Patient Care:FHIR-certified individuals can play a crucial role in improving patient care by enabling efficient data exchange between different healthcare systems. This can lead to better care coordination and improved health outcomes for patients.
7. Staying Current with FHIR Updates:The process of preparing for certification often involves studying the latest FHIR updates and guidelines. This ensures that certified individuals stay up-to-date with the evolving FHIR standard and industry best practices.
8. Problem-solving Skills:The certification process may involve practical implementation challenges that encourage individuals to develop problem-solving skills specific to FHIR standards and healthcare interoperability.
9. Collaboration and Communication:FHIR certification fosters collaboration and communication between healthcare IT professionals, developers, and other stakeholders. It creates a common language and understanding of FHIR's principles and mechanisms.
10. Industry Growth and Innovation:As FHIR gains prominence as a leading healthcare data exchange standard, FHIR-certified professionals contribute to the growth and innovation in the healthcare industry by building modern and interoperable systems.

In summary, getting FHIR certified offers numerous advantages, including professional recognition, improved career prospects, and the ability to contribute effectively to the implementation of modern, secure, and interoperable healthcare systems.

How to Obtain HL7 FHIR Certification

1. Prerequisites To participate in FHIR Training at the Foundation Level, it is necessary to have prior knowledge of HL7 FHIR. Additionally, it is highly recommended that participants have familiarity with C#, Java, and JavaScript. This training is specifically recommended for developers.
2. Types of certificationCertification & Proficiency Exams Offered
1. HL7 Version 2 (V2) 2.8
2. HL7 Version 3 (V3) RIM 2.36
3. HL7 Clinical Document Architecture (CDA®)
4. HL7 FHIR® (R4) Proficiency Certificate
3. Exams and Costs

   The HL7 FHIR certification exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions, which you must complete within 2 hours. The score of passing the exam is 70%. You can take tests online.

   The cost of the HL7 FHIR certification exam varies depending on your location and the training provider. However, the average cost is around $500-$3000.

Registration Process

To sign up for an HL7 certification exam, you must first create an HL7.org account if you don't already have one. After logging in to your account, choose the certificate exam you wish to take, click on the registration button, and proceed with payment for the exam.

Within five business days, you will receive an email containing your user ID, password, voucher code, and instructions to schedule your exam using Webassessor.

The registration process is simple and can be finished in just a few minutes. If you have any questions or concerns, HL7’s customer support team can assist you.

Training Resources

You can join a 2-day instruct tor-led FHIR training with an HL7-FHIR Certified. The training includes discussion sessions and exercises in each module to ensure you get the most out of your learning experience.

Recommended Courses by HL7.org

1. Comprehensive HL7 FHIR Proficiency Exam Preparation Course A four-week, self-paced course specifically designed to prepare those with a fair understand of FHIR concepts for taking the HL7 FHIR R4 Proficiency Exam.
2. Introduction to FHIRA two-part class gives an introduction to HL7 FHIR, what it can do and how an organization might best take advantage of it.
3. HL7 FHIR R4 Proficiency Exam ReviewThis two-part class will assist students in their preparation for the HL7 FHIR R4 Proficiency Exam.

Where to Get Certification?

You can get the certification from different online websites like-

1. https://cloudfoundation.com/
2. https://www.microteklearning.com/
3. https://www.intersystems.com/
4. https://www.hl7fundamentals.org/

Preparation Guidelines

1. Exam format

   The FHIR Proficiency Certification exam format typically consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards and their practical implementation in healthcare data exchange.

   The test is closed book and the question formats are multiple choice, multi-select, and true/false. There are 50 questions on the exam. Candidates will have 2 hours to complete the exam. Candidates must score at least 70% (correct answers to 35 questions) to pass the exam. There is no penalty for guessing.

   The questions in the exam will cover various aspects of FHIR, including its architecture, resource types, RESTful interactions, data modeling, security considerations, and best practices for implementation. Some questions may present scenarios or use cases, requiring you to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios.

2. Forming a Study group

   Forming a study group can be a great way to make the process of studying for the HL7® FHIR® exam more engaging, especially when faced with the task of reading through numerous specification pages and the comprehensive "HL7® FHIR® Study Guide" (which you will need to purchase separately).

   Purchasing the study guide is highly recommended for two key reasons: it condenses the content from many pages of the FHIR specification and includes a valuable set of 150 sample questions (15 at the end of each chapter) to practice with.

   While reading the FHIR specification is essential, using the study guide as a quick reference during your study sessions, and repeatedly going through it along with answering the provided questions, can be immensely helpful.

   To form a study group, leverage your personal connections or explore relevant LinkedIn groups. However, it's important to acknowledge that finding individuals interested in preparing for the exam may be challenging. Nonetheless, a study group can provide valuable support and motivation during your exam preparation journey.

3. Test yourself

   Testing yourself is crucial for exam preparation. Repeatedly attempt the non-multiple-choice questions at the end of each study guide chapter, understanding the reasons behind the answers. Remember, the exam primarily consists of multiple-choice questions, making it challenging.

   Monitor your progress by noting your percentage of correct answers. Initially, you may score around 50%, but that's okay. Study again and redo the questions without memorizing answers. By comparing new scores, you can track your improvement.

4. Exam Day

   On the exam day, follow the provider's instructions meticulously, especially for online exams at home. Ensure the appropriate environment, use the same laptop, software, and video camera for your biometric profile. Contact the support staff if you encounter any issues to avoid unnecessary stress.

   The allocated two hours are generally sufficient for answering 50 questions. Allocate time to review and double-check all questions. You can mark questions for later review.

   During the exam, you cannot have any external notes. However, there is a comment box for feedback on each question, which you can utilize to add notes about reasoning or doubts. These comments can be helpful for later review but should be deleted before final submission.

5. What if I fail the Exam?

   If you do not pass the exam, you will receive an email with a detailed breakdown of the percentage of correct answers in each module. While it may be challenging to identify the specific questions you answered incorrectly, this breakdown can provide clues about areas that need improvement for your next attempt.

   Don't be disheartened by the initial setback. With proper preparation and determination, you can succeed in the exam. Remember, you are not alone, and many individuals have taken multiple attempts to pass. The key is to maintain your momentum and keep studying until you achieve your goal of passing the exam. Never give up and continue working towards success.

Conclusion

Opting for HL7 FHIR certification is a strategic decision that provides multifaceted advantages, from personal career growth to contributing to the advancement of healthcare technology. The FHIR framework has rapidly become a cornerstone of modern healthcare, and certified professionals play an essential role in harnessing its potential. By acquiring FHIR certification, you're not just gaining a credential – you're becoming a catalyst for transformative change within the healthcare ecosystem. So, why choose FHIR certification? Because it's a pathway to expertise, recognition, and the power to shape the future of healthcare.

Moreover, we take immense pride in highlighting that our Integration experts are all FHIR certified. Their expertise and proficiency stand as a testament to the transformative capabilities of FHIR certification. Feel free to reach out to us for comprehensive guidance, mentorship, and insights as you navigate the path to becoming a certified professional in the realm of healthcare interoperability.