AMCA EHRC study plan
AMCA EHRC · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Electronic Health Records Fundamentals
Define the core components of an EHR and distinguish them from practice management and billing systems
Diagram the flow of patient data from registration through clinical documentation to reporting
List the major functions of an EHR (charting, order entry, results review, e-prescribing, reporting)
Explain meaningful use and interoperability concepts in plain language
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn system diagram labeling at least 8 EHR functions and the data flow between them, with a 150-word written explanation
Electronic Health Records Fundamentals & EHR Documentation and Data Entry
Identify the standard sections of an electronic chart (problem list, medications, allergies, history, notes)
Compare structured data entry with free-text entry and state one advantage of each
Practice locating and interpreting a sample progress note, lab result, and medication list
Describe how templates and macros support consistent documentation
Your checkpoint
A completed worksheet that maps 10 sample chart elements to their correct EHR section, plus a 5-row table comparing structured vs. free-text entry
EHR Documentation and Data Entry
Apply correct data-entry conventions for dates, units, and abbreviations in a mock chart
Sequence the steps for documenting a patient encounter from check-in to note signing
Detect and correct at least 5 common documentation errors (misspellings, wrong patient, missing signature, inconsistent units)
Explain late entry, addendum, and correction practices without altering the original record
Your checkpoint
A corrected mock encounter note with an error log listing each error found, the correction made, and the rationale
Health Information Privacy and Security
Define PHI and identify at least 6 categories of protected identifiers
Summarize the minimum necessary standard and when it applies
Distinguish permitted disclosures from those requiring patient authorization
Explain the patient rights around access, amendment, and accounting of disclosures
Your checkpoint
A 1-page PHI decision flowchart: given a request scenario, the reader can trace to 'disclose', 'disclose with authorization', or 'do not disclose'
Health Information Privacy and Security
Describe administrative, physical, and technical safeguards and give two examples of each
Outline the steps to take when a breach or suspected breach is identified
Explain role-based access, audit logs, and the principle of least privilege
State password, session, and workstation security practices expected of EHR users
Your checkpoint
A written incident-response checklist of at least 8 ordered steps for a suspected PHI breach, each step tied to a safeguard category
EHR Operations and Administrative Support
Perform a mock patient registration including demographics, insurance, and consent capture
Explain eligibility verification and prior-authorization workflows and when each is triggered
Describe scheduling, reminder, and no-show management tasks within the EHR
Identify the reports a front-office user runs to track registrations, denials, and outstanding tasks
Your checkpoint
A completed mock registration packet for 3 fictional patients plus a list of 5 administrative reports with a one-line purpose for each
EHR Operations and Administrative Support & EHR Documentation and Data Entry
Trace how a documentation error propagates into coding, billing, and reporting
Apply a quality-check routine to a batch of 5 mock records using a defined checklist
Explain how incomplete or inconsistent entries affect claims and data quality
Draft a professional message to a clinician requesting clarification on an ambiguous entry
Your checkpoint
A quality-audit report on 5 mock records showing pass/fail per checklist item, a defect count, and one drafted clarification message
Electronic Health Records Fundamentals & Health Information Privacy and Security & EHR Documentation and Data Entry & EHR Operations and Administrative Support
Assemble a one-page summary sheet of key terms and rules across all four domains
Complete a timed 60-question mixed practice set and score it
Review every missed item and write the correct concept in your own words
Identify your two weakest areas and schedule a focused re-review before exam day
Your checkpoint
A scored 60-question practice set with a written error-analysis log covering every missed item and a ranked list of your top 2 weak areas
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain EHR functions and chart structure without notes; scored 80% or higher on a 20-question Domain 1 self-quiz
Week 4: Can apply the PHI decision flowchart to 5 new scenarios and reach the correct outcome on at least 4
Week 6: Completed registration packet and breach checklist reviewed; can state the three safeguard categories and two examples of each from memory
Week 8: Scored 80% or higher on the timed 60-question mixed practice set and completed the error-analysis log