Working in healthcare IT as a young developer, especially on InterSystems TrakCare, you quickly realize one thing: it’s not just about HL7 messages or backend integrations. A huge part of making TrakCare work smoothly for hospitals comes down to how it’s configured, customized, and supported on the application side.

That’s where people like me come in—techno-functional developers who understand both the tech and how it impacts actual hospital workflows.

We’re Not Just Techies (or Functional Consultants)

Our role sits right in the middle. We're the ones:

• Customizing modules like Pharmacy, Billing, and EMR to fit how hospitals actually run
• Writing ObjectScript logic to add validations or automation
• Enhancing front-end screens using CSP, Zen, or IRIS
• Mapping workflows with clinical and billing teams to reflect real-life processes
• Troubleshooting day-to-day issues that aren't always about interfaces—they're about experience

And yet… there is currently no dedicated certification pathway to recognize it.

The Certification Gap

The current TrakCare Technical Integration Specialist exam is great if you’re working on HL7v2, FHIR, SDA3, etc.—basically anything interoperability-related. But it doesn’t really reflect the work we do in application config, front-end behavior, or module workflows.

So despite being hands-on with TrakCare every day, people in roles like mine aren’t recognized or certified. That makes it harder for hospitals to find skilled talent and for us to show our value.

Why a New Track Just Makes Sense

A TrakCare Application Specialist certification would be a game-changer for those of us who:

• Have at least 3 years of hands-on experience with TrakCare modules
• Can configure workflows, understand module dependencies, and speak both clinical and tech
• Are comfortable with ObjectScript, CSP, and tweaking UI behaviors
• Act as the bridge between IT and real users

The valuable work of techno-functional specialists deserves formal recognition within the TrakCare ecosystem.

TrakCare is growing fast, and so is the demand for developers who get both the tech and the healthcare side. A dedicated certification for Techno-Functional Application Specialists would fill a real gap—and help highlight the critical work we do every day to keep systems running and users happy.