Medical software firm Allscripts plans 350 NC jobs
Chicago-based Medical software company Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. plans to hire another 350 workers in North Carolina's Research Triangle region over the next 4 ½ years to expand its research and development work, chief executive Paul Black said Wednesday.
The company said it would add to its more than 1,000 employees in Raleigh, one of Allscripts' top three locations along with its headquarters and Atlanta. Allscripts develops and sells software for doctors and hospitals that handle electronic medical records, digital patient prescriptions and medical practice management.
“If we're relevant to this industry we'll not only have more business but more clients — hopefully more clients in North Carolina,” Black said, adding he was eager for more opportunities for state contracts.
The company could get tax breaks and training aid worth up to $5.8 million over 12 years if it meets hiring and investment targets, the state Commerce Department said. The jobs are projected to pay an average of $75,800, the agency said.
Allscripts is making changes to improve product delivery and client experience, the company said, and decided Raleigh offered ample technology talent and desirable graduates from local universities.
Allscripts and its competitors have been on a growth spurt since the 2009 federal stimulus package included up to $30 billion in subsidies for the nation's doctors to cut medical costs by switching from paper records to electronic records.
Allscripts in March announced the purchase of two privately held companies that do related work, one of them for $235 million. Allscripts didn't disclose the terms of the second purchase.
The company also is pairing with North Carolina's largest health insurer to pay more than 750 physicians and 39 free clinics to switch from paper records. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina officials said they projected shifting to more electronic record-keeping would cut waste and inefficiencies that can drive up medical costs by 20 percent.