UBT Program: Preparing the Health IT Leaders of Tomorrow, Today

The modernization of health care through information technology calls for a much larger workforce than the one we currently have that will be required to help providers and hospitals make meaningful use of health information technology (health IT) including electronic health records (EHRs).  In fact, there is a projected shortfall of approximately 51,000 qualified health IT workers over the next four years.

The Program of Assistance for University-Based Training (the UBT program), one of four initiatives within ONC’s Workforce Development Training Program, is helping to prepare the qualified health IT leaders of tomorrow, today.

Building a Skilled Workforce

The health care environment is quickly evolving, and the UBT program, along with ONC’s other three complimentary health IT workforce initiatives, is helping ensure that the health IT workforce not only grows but also evolves to keep pace with it.  Nearly 1,700 people will receive certificates of advanced study or master’s degrees in health IT over the course of the 39 month UBT program. This is certainly a significant accomplishment in its own right, but it is important to keep in mind that it is merely a down payment on meeting the projected health IT worker shortfall.  More UBT graduates, as well as professionals benefiting from ONC’s other health IT workforce programs, are also in the pipeline to help fill the demand for these professionals.  These individuals will help form the nationwide support system essential to creating and maintaining a health IT infrastructure that will improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care.

About the UBT Program

The UBT program is designed to rapidly and sustainably increase the availability of individuals qualified to serve in specific health IT professional roles (see below) requiring specialized training at the post-baccalaureate level.

Through this program, institutions of higher education were awarded one-time grants, totaling $32 million nationwide, to assist in the creation and expansion of post-baccalaureate certificate and/or master’s-level health IT training programs. Using a significant portion of this grant funding, these institutions are able to offer financial support for tuition, including a limited number of stipends, for qualified UBT students.