5 Great EHR Training Programs for Healthcare Professionals

How important is EHR training in today’s healthcare world? As electronic health records (EHR) become the backbone of modern care, they’re doing much more than storing patient information — they remind providers of appointments, flag medication interactions, and alert teams to critical lab values. With over 96% of hospitals and four out of five office-based doctors in the U.S. using EHR systems, being comfortable using these tools effectively is a must for nearly everyone working in healthcare today.

Need effective EHR systems training to navigate modern healthcare technology? Discover five highly rated programs designed to help you master the healthcare industry’s leading digital platforms.

What Is an EHR Training Program?

New to an electronic medical record (EMR)? EHR training programs are digital programs that help you build the skills needed to confidently use electronic records. Over the years, EHRs have largely replaced paper charts, improving operational effectiveness and reducing medical errors. Today, these systems include advanced features like predictive analytics and real-time alerts, which make them even more powerful but also more complex to master without proper training.

There are many different EHR systems available, each with its own features and workflows. The specific training you’ll need often depends on which system your workplace uses. To help you get started, here’s a list of some of the most common EHR platforms used today and the percentage of market share they hold across U.S. hospital systems:

• Epic: 41.3%
• Oracle Health (Cerner): 21.8%
• Meditech: 11.9%
• TruBridge: 4.8%
• WellSky: 3.1%
• Netsmart Technologies: 2%
• Vista: 1.9%
• Altera Digital Health and Harris Company: 1.5%
• Athenahealth: 1.1%

Each of these companies offers tailored training programs designed to teach healthcare professionals everything from basic navigation to advanced, platform-specific features. For example, the Epic EHR training program, called Epic Playground, provides a secure practice environment without real patient data, allowing learners to practice new skills safely without a fear of making mistakes.

5 EHR Training Programs

Not all EHR training is tied to a single software platform. If you’re looking for a vendor-neutral EHR training certification program or a course that teaches universal skills you can apply across any system, there are several strong options available. These programs focus on EHR optimization — improving documentation quality, compliance, data security, and workflow efficiency — regardless of which software your organization uses.

1. National Healthcareer Association

The Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a highly respected certification for healthcare professionals. It focuses on building your knowledge in areas like compliance audits, data reporting, coding basics, and accurate record keeping, while also strengthening your ability to communicate with physicians and insurance companies.

2. American Health Information Management Association

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) provides a wide range of certifications and training programs centered on health information and EHR management, including the following options:

• Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)
• Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS)
• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

3. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) offers vendor‑neutral education that strengthens EHR and health IT fundamentals across care settings. Their credentials, like Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS), focus on topics like clinical informatics, analysis, as well as privacy and security.

4. American Academy of Professional Coders

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a solid pick if you want training that boosts documentation quality and compliance across any EHR. Their courses focus on clean records, medical necessity, and audit readiness — skills that translate directly into better EHR use. Here are some examples of relevant certifications you may want to consider:

• Certified Documentation Expert – Outpatient (CDEO)
• Certified Documentation Expert – Inpatient (CDEI)
• Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)

5. Coursera and Udemy EHR Training Online Programs

Looking for free EHR training programs? Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer courses you can take at little to no cost (many Coursera classes can be audited for free, and Udemy often has free or low‑cost intros). Look for titles covering health informatics, clinical documentation improvement, HIPAA/privacy, and healthcare data analytics — all skills you can apply in any EHR.

Here are some examples of courses you may want to check out:

• Health Informatics by Johns Hopkins University
• Introduction to Medical Software by Yale University
• Intro to Electronic Healthcare Records by Thomas Giordano
• Become a Successful EHR Consultant by Bernadette Amao

System-Specific Training Programs

In addition to broad, vendor‑neutral programs, there are also training options tailored to specific EHR systems. These courses focus on the unique features, workflows, and tools offered by individual platforms. Here are some examples of such programs:

• Epic: As the most widely used EHR system in the U.S., Epic offers a wide range of learning options. Most materials — such as Epic EHR training courses, online tutorials, tip sheets, and release notes — are available through Epic’s UserWeb platform. Your hospital or clinic typically sets up your account, as individuals generally can’t register independently.
• Cerner: Role‑based courses and certification programs are available through Oracle University and the Oracle Health Learning portal.
• Meditech: Professionals can access fast-track tutorials through the Customer Experience Training Resources portal to learn the platform’s key features.

No matter which system you use, your employer typically provides official system‑specific training. If you still have knowledge gaps afterward, you can supplement your training with additional resources. For Epic, for example, you might explore the following supplemental materials:

• YouTube: Look for playlists on care planning, medication orders, discharge workflows, or other relevant topics to your role and healthcare setting.
• Epic SmartUser: Sign up for classes or programs that teach you how to work more efficiently in Epic.
• Epic Playground: Set up mini‑scenarios (e.g., admit a patient, place an order, discharge a patient) and time yourself. Practice personalization (with favorites, order sets, SmartTools) to speed up real‑world charting.

If you choose to use third‑party training resources, be cautious. Only official training from your employer or the EHR vendor can be fully trusted to be accurate and up to date.

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