HIMSS and BioDistrict New Orleans will work together to advance workforce health IT initiatives anticipated to grow in the next several years in the district.

The two entities have signed a formal agreement that focuses on educational, career support and online initiatives before and during the 2013 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, which will be held in New Orleans on March 3-7, 2013.

The synergies between the two organizations focus on career development resources offered by HIMSS, recognizing the ongoing demand for skilled health IT employees in the BioDistrict. The BioDistrict, Louisiana's No. 1 employment center, encompasses 1,500 acres spanning the Downtown and Mid-City areas of New Orleans. It focuses on the development of the biosciences industry in New Orleans that will provide world-class biosciences research and development; local, regional, and global healthcare delivery; and stable, high-paying jobs for professionals, managers and workers representing a wide range of skills.

"This new collaboration with HIMSS and BioDistrict New Orleans is positive news for our city," says New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "I am hopeful that this partnership will help to create new economic and workforce development opportunities in the hospitality, health IT and innovation sectors for New Orleanians."

HIMSS will work with BioDistrict to provide career development resources, through white papers, webinars and other online and career-supporting tools to help professionals learn, grow, and advance in their health IT careers.

Additional services include HIMSS JobMine job listings, online mentoring and an emerging professionals community, resources that can be used in the BioDistrict.  Also available will be various HIMSS online tools for current, new and transitioning professionals who are interested in a career in health IT.

"HIMSS recognizes the ongoing need for skilled health IT professionals across the country, and in BioDistrict New Orleans," said Carla M. Smith, HIMSS executive vice president. "Our career services provide an employment, education and networking center with valuable online resources and tools for current and aspiring healthcare and IT professionals.

Smith said HIMSS would with BioDistrict New Orleans, before and during the upcoming annual conference in New Orleans.

Career coach

At HIMSS13, BioDistrict will be part of the conference Career Services Institute, a full-day program on Tuesday, March 4. The Career Services Institute will feature a nationally recognized career coach and will support networking opportunities for all participants.

In addition, the Career Services Center at HIMSS13 provides a centralized location at the conference for recruiters, consultants and others who contribute to the development of the health IT workforce. Smith said she expected it to be a  gathering point for both job seekers and organizations looking for talent in health IT.

This partnership with HIMSS will serve as an example of how BioDistrict New Orleans is creating opportunities for workforce development and training to build a successful biosciences industry in New Orleans," said James P. McNamara, president and CEO of BioDistrict New Orleans. "Through our work with HIMSS, new companies will be recruited, creating more high paying jobs in the bioscience and healthcare IT industry and providing the foundation for viable careers for the people of New Orleans."

"Anytime there is a chance for economic development and job creation, especially in the growing healthcare IT industry, its considered a win for the future of New Orleans," said Ben Johnson, president and CEO, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.