Careers in health informatics

Technology is fueling the growth of the healthcare industry. We are not only acquiring more data, but continually developing more sophisticated tools to sort, analyze, and use it. As such, there is an ongoing need for professionals with the knowledge, skills, and experience to manage the process. If you want to use your technological skills to make the healthcare system better for everyone, a career in the health informatics sector may appeal to you.

What is health informatics?

Health informatics is a healthcare fields that uses IT to collect, organize, and analyze health records. Also called health information systems, the goal of this field is to improve healthcare outcomes.

Health informatics is constantly evolving in response to advancements in healthcare and technology. A key part of this is electronic health records (EHRs), which are real-time digital versions of patient records. With this technology, health informatics professionals have the potential to facilitate better decision making and more coordinated care.

With many possible career paths in health informatics, it is possible to tailor your career to focus on a specific area of interest, such as bioinformatics, health information management, public health informatics, or nursing informatics.

The most exciting aspect of this field is its newness, which brings the potential for you to play a pivotal role in shaping its future. Read on to find out more about the opportunities available in health informatics and how to take advantage of them.

» Read: Alternative careers for healthcare professionals

What is the typical health informatics career pathway?

Although the most obvious pathway is to earn a degree in health informatics, education in  nursing, computer science, information technology, healthcare administration, and business can all lay the foundation for getting into this field.

Another pathway is to transition from the IT or clinical side. Previous experience in either of these areas can be an advantage.

While certification programs, associate degrees, and bachelor degrees can prepare you for entry-level careers, a master’s degree is regarded as the best route to success in the field.

How long does it take to get started in health informatics?

Some entry-level positions can be obtained with an associate degree, 12-week certificate, and/or skills-based training and experience. These roles include data entry clerk, medical coder, medical records clerk, and health information technician. Other entry-level jobs have additional educational and training requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree in statistics or math.

If you are seeking an entry-level management position you typically need an advanced degree, like a master’s, along with clinical licensure, clinical experience, and work experience in the IT field.

Where do health informatics professionals work?

Health informatics professionals work in a variety of settings. These include:

• hospitals and healthcare systems
• pharmaceuticals companies
• insurance companies
• medical device manufacturers
• government agencies
• consulting firms
• private practice
• hospice facilities

Health information telecommuting jobs are also becoming increasingly prevalent. Essentially, anywhere where there is health information data, you can find health informatics professionals.

Health informatics careers

Below is a list of some of the core job sectors within the field of health informatics.

How to get into health informatics

Below we outline the educational path for a career in health informatics, and the jobs available at each degree level.

Level 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in health informatics or a related field

It is possible to secure some entry-level jobs in health informatics without an undergraduate degree, but a bachelor’s can make you eligible for more positions, as well as further education. Because the field is multidisciplinary, you do not necessarily need to study health informatics. Instead, candidates can choose related fields, such as nursing, business, and STEM majors.

If you plan to enter a specific field within health informatics, you may want to major in that area. For example, informatics nurses tend to study nursing, while public health informatics professionals might opt for a bachelor’s degree in public health. To work in pharmacy informatics, a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, chemistry, or physics may make sense.

Below are some of the jobs you can get with a bachelor’s in health informatics or related field.

Level 2: Earn a master’s degree in health informatics

Students opt for a master’s in health informatics to specialize in a particular area or to qualify for higher-level administrative positions.

In addition to core topics, such as human-computer interaction and web systems and architecture, students can also take electives that reflect their specific interests, such as epidemiology, cybersecurity, or health research.

A master’s degree in health informatics takes 2 years of full-time study. It is available via a brick-and-mortar program, online, or a combination of both.

The jobs you can get with a master’s in health informatics include:

Level 3: Earn a doctorate in health informatics

Although most corporate jobs only require a master’s degree, a doctorate in health informatics is often necessary for careers in academia and research. Those seeking health informatics leadership and management positions may also find the doctorate useful.

» Read: Get paid to get your Ph.D.

Currently, the only program to offer an advanced practice degree in health informatics is the Doctorate in Health Informatics (DHI).  As it is designed for people already working in the field, it is a hybrid format, with more than 50% of the coursework taught online.

With a J.D., M.D., or doctorate in health informatics, you can pursue a position as a health informatics director and earn an average salary of between $165,190 and $175,254 per year.