Monthly Archives: December 2012

Strategy for HIT Pro Implementation Manager Certification Exam

Posted on by
6

Having decided to focus on the Implementation Manager certification I spent the morning downloading the audio lectures and installing them on my iPhone.  The result was downloading 151 files.  Assuming an average length of something like 20 minutes, I’ve calculated the listening time at approximately 50 hours, which means that my initial thought of completing the certification by the end of 2012 isn’t likely to happen.

Based upon what I’ve been reading in the LinkedIN HIT Pro Exam group postings, is looks like the focus of the exam is in the following areas:

Component 5 -History of Healthcare IT

Component 10 -Fundamentals of Health Workflow Process Analysis & Redesign

Component 19 -Introduction to Project Management

My plan at this point is to see how quickly I can get through the study efforts associated with three components and then schedule the exam.  Fortunately I have obtained a voucher so once I get my comfort level up I’ll schedule the exam.

NetLabs+ Class

Posted on by
Reply

Flew out to Jacksonville on Tuesday of this week, to attend a class provided to instructors on how to manage a NetLabs+ environment that is suitable for students to do their labs for a variety of classes that include the VMware Install, Configuration, and Manage course.  This looks like a great environment for class labs, with NDG, the products designer actually creating a series of courses that contain the lab content.  Other course offerings I’ll be looking at with the potential of incorporating them into class offerings include:

Cyber Security developed by the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA)

EMC Information Storage and Management

Linux+ Labs

Ethical Hacking in development by the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA)

It is fortunate that I had the opportunity to meet with faculty from other community colleges located in Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas and New Mexico, and Canada.  The challenges we all face with regard to our efforts to keep class content current was a major topic of discussion.  Fortunately products like NetLabs+ make this possible although the problem many of us face is identifying funding sources that will allow our colleges to purchase the equipment needed to teach high end courses.

 

 

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Certifications

Posted on by
Reply

A while back Microsoft developed a line of technology certifications that are geared towards academic institutions providing courses focused on infrastructure, database, and development tracks.  As part of a promotional effort I received an email yesterday from Microsoft and Prometric, providing the opportunity as a Microsoft Certified Trainer to take one of the MTA certification exams at no cost.  Today I completed the contract CISSP training class I was teaching in San Diego around 2:30p.m. and asked the students to take the “final exam,” consisting of 100 practice questions, providing a 90 minute time period for its completion.

The training center also serves as a Prometric testing site, so rather than simply watch while the students completed their final exam, I thought a good use of the time would be to take an MTA exam.  I had the exam proctor schedule the MTA Security Fundamentals 98-367 exam.  The exam consisted of thirty-five (35) questions that took about 30 minutes to complete.  With a passing score of 70, I scored a 97, likely reflecting one missed question.  Based upon the information provided on the MTA certification webpage, I guess I now hold an MTA certification.  You can view my score sheet below.

With a break in teaching, I’m going to get back to focusing on HIT Pro certifications.  Next planned certification activity is taking the Implementation Manager certification.  I’m going to try to get it before the end of the year.

Now A Current MCSE — No Need to Take 70-247 Exam

Posted on by
Reply

Luck is on my side.  This evening I reviewed my Microsoft transcript with the purpose of seeing if my passing the 70-246 would show.  It was there, but more surprisingly at the top of the list of “Active Microsoft Certifications” was the “Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert.”  I thought it was a mistake, but it isn’t (see the graphic below).  On a web page describing the new MCSE certification, the following line explains why I have the certification:

“Until January 31, 2013, you can take Exam 659 in place of 247 to count towards the Private Cloud certification.”

The 70-659 was one of the required exams I took to obtain the MCITP: Virtualization Administration certification. Needless to say, I’m really thrilled at the opportunity to avoid spending the money and taking the 70-247 exam.  So now I can return to working on the HIT Pro Trainer certification.

One final note with regard to this new MCSE.  It looks as though it has a continuing education requirement.  The same web page states:

“This MCSE certification requires you to show continued ability to perform in your chosen solution area by completing a recertification exam every three years.”

 

Passed the 70-246 Microsoft Exam — One More Exam for MCSE Certification

Posted on by
Reply

Managed to take and pass the 70-246 Microsoft Certification exam (Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012) today.  See score sheet below (785/1000).  That gets me to a point where I need to take and pass the 70-247 exam to achieve Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification.  Plan since I’ll be teaching a CISSP class during the daylight hours next week is to focus my evening and weekend study efforts on this exam and see if I can get prepared enough to take the exam on Monday, December 17th.  I will only have that day available because I’m leaving on the 19th for Jacksonville, Florida to take a two (2) day class on the NetLab+ product that I can hopefully use for my classes next fall semester.