Medical records go electronic in 2014

(WPRI) - Starting in 2014, every medical workplace in the country will be mandated to change their paper records into electronic files.

It's a big process, and one local school is ready to train your doctor's office to update your family's medical history.

Thanks to a federal grant, New England Institute of Technology is now able to offer free computer courses to Rhode Island medical professionals, to help them get ready for a big change in health technology.

Come 2014 every medical office will be required to have electronic records.

"The courses that we're running here at the college are preparing individuals who are working right now in the medical field to be prepared and to gain the skills that they are going to need to be proficient in terms of that transition," said Fred Santaniello, grant writer at New England Tech.

Students at New England Tech are offered a variety of computer classes, which they can then use at their medical workplace.

"The grant is free. So they're coming in here for free to learn this skill. And to take advantage of free education, that is going to help you with your career," said Lisa Pagano, adjunct professor at New England Tech.

All of the classes are currently being offered through New England Tech's East Greenwich campus. They range from three weeks to 15 weeks long, and are only one evening a week.

The process of signing up is available online at healthcentricadvisors.org .

The free education is available to any Rhode Islander working in the medical profession or anyone from out of state who works in a Rhode Island medical office.