Nathan Hockey wasn’t searching for a career in health IT. In fact, he studied music in college. But as a musician, he was drawn to opportunities that build community, and his first job at a Virigina-based health system gave him the chance to make a meaningful local impact. It was there that he also discovered his interest in health IT.

After earning a certification in Epic Cadence, an electronic health record tool used to schedule and manage patient appointments, Nathan began searching for roles that would help him turn his end-user experience into a career. A simple LinkedIn search led him to OCHIN’s apprenticeship program, where he could help patients access the healthcare services they need while building new skills. Thanks to a supportive team and hands-on experience, he is now a full-time staff member.

We asked Nathan to share more about his career journey and experience as an OCHIN apprentice.

How did you land in health IT?

I went to college for music, but after graduation, I ended up getting a job in patient registration at Sentra Norfolk General, where my mom also worked. During those two years, I spent a lot of time as an Epic end user. I was a department trainer, and I was exposed to a lot of end-user workflows. I fell in love with healthcare.

A common theme among artists is a desire to use our talents to serve and positively impact others. Working in healthcare, I was able to have an impact on my local community and be part of a team devoted to providing care for people. On top of that, I’m naturally attracted to learning how complex things work, and Epic is one of those things. Eventually, I got my Epic Cadence certification and started looking for a new job. Soon after, I saw OCHIN’s LinkedIn post calling for applicants for their apprenticeship program, specifically in patient access, and I applied.

What were you hoping to achieve from OCHIN’s apprenticeship program?

It can be hard to obtain Epic credentials because you have to be working for an Epic client, which makes it hard to break into this field. A lot of companies are looking for people with experience. It’s common for Epic analysts to gradually transition into support roles after working as end users. My path was directly pointed towards obtaining a certification and going from there. Even though I was able to become certified, I still lacked the build and support experience needed to qualify for a position as an analyst.

I was looking for a program to learn and grow as much as I possibly could with an organization willing to take a chance on me, and that was OCHIN. From the very first day, I was given the opportunity to learn and grow.

What skills did you learn as you progressed through the program?

At OCHIN, there is an emphasis on learning and taking the initiative to dig for answers yourself. My problem-solving skills have gotten better, including my ability to formulate an approach to tackling a problem, whether it’s small or very large. As an analyst, you must understand how to troubleshoot, research and find answers on your own, and know where those resources are located, including leveraging the knowledge of others.

Another important skill has been communication, especially with members. I’m still working on translating the language that we use as analysts, including all the terminology and Epic concepts, into something everyone can understand. There’s always an opportunity to communicate better. There’s always room to grow.

What was the team experience like as an apprentice?

Although I had a mentor, everyone on my team was supportive and always encouraged me to learn and try new things. This is not a job where you shadow. In order to be proficient and learn Epic, you have to hit the ground running as fast as you can, as soon as you can. There were even times when I might have known the answer to a question that a senior teammate didn’t, and they trusted my answer.

You’re not just “an apprentice”; you’re treated the same as everyone else, given the same opportunities as everyone else. I definitely would not be in the position that I am today without their support.

When your apprenticeship was complete, you were offered a full-time position. Why did you decide to stay at OCHIN?

I love our mission. It’s something I deeply connect with, and I love how tight-knit OCHIN is. I decided to stay because I felt comfortable, and not in a negative way. I really love the work we do, and I love my team.

By the time I transitioned from apprentice to solutions analyst, I had already amassed a level of responsibility that’s rewarding to me. Every day presents a unique challenge, and that’s a great environment to learn and establish yourself.