Healthcare organizations rely on data management to collect patient information, contribute to patient care and operate efficiently. Health informatics specialists ensure that these information systems run smoothly.
Healthcare organizations rely on data management to collect patient information, contribute to patient care and operate efficiently. Health informatics specialists ensure that these information systems run smoothly. However, careers in this in-demand field, which reports strong earning potential, require specialized knowledge of business operations and information systems management.
How can you become a health informatics specialist? Earning a healthcare management degree can help prepare graduates for roles in this growing field.
Health Informatics Specialist Job Description
What is a health informatics specialist? These professionals bring information technology (IT) expertise to the healthcare sector.
Health informatics specialists design and implement the information management systems that hospitals, healthcare institutions and related organizations use. They optimize information management tools, train healthcare professionals on using IT systems and maintain security protocols to keep sensitive information private.
Careers in health informatics require a background in healthcare management or IT. Specialists often use data analytics tools to evaluate information systems and healthcare databases.
In addition to health informatics specialist, professionals in this field may hold titles such as health information technologist, health informatics analyst or information systems coordinator. With experience, they may move into roles such as health informatics manager or health information manager.
Becoming a Health Informatics Specialist
What are the requirements to become a health informatics specialist? Prospective informatics specialists must meet education and experience requirements. Obtaining professional certification can also benefit health informatics specialists.
Education Requirements
Health informatics specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree to qualify for entry-level positions. According to CareerOneStop, a resource sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), 73 percent of health informatics specialists hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Choosing a bachelor’s degree program focused on healthcare management, health information management or a related field meets the education requirement for these careers. Earning a graduate degree in healthcare management can help improve job opportunities for those looking to enter or advance in the field.
Health Informatics Skills
Careers in health informatics require an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system and information management skills. The fundamental hard skills for health informatics specialists include the following:- Health systems management: Medical organizations rely on electronic health records (EHRs) and data management systems to operate. Health informatics specialists must know how to use health systems management software and tools.
- Database management: Managing health information requires a strong understanding of database architecture, cybersecurity and system design. Professionals apply these skills to manage health record systems.
- Healthcare business operations: Information systems support business operations at health and healthcare organizations. Informatics specialists bring their knowledge of healthcare IT, business analytics tools and emerging healthcare operations technologies to their role.
Professional Certification
While obtaining professional certification is voluntary for health informatics specialists, specialized credentials can demonstrate informatics expertise to potential employers. Several professional associations offer certification in this field; it typically requires a college degree plus passing scores on a certification exam.
Health informatics certification options include the following:
- Registered health information technician (RHIT) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- AMIA health informatics certification (AHIC) from the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
- Certified associate in healthcare information and management systems (CAHIMS) from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
These organizations offer several other certifications, including AHIMA’s certified health data analyst (CHDA) and certified documentation improvement practitioner (CDIP).
Career Advancement
Work experience or a graduate degree can prepare health informatics specialists for career advancement. CareerOneStop reports that 23 percent of health informatics specialists hold a master’s degree, for example.
Graduate programs develop leadership, technology and management skills. Earning a master’s degree in healthcare management can lead to advancement opportunities, including as a health informatics manager or a director of health informatics.
Health Informatics Specialist Career Outlook
Health informatics specialists benefit from a strong career outlook. These professionals earned a median annual salary of approximately $76,000 as of March 2024, according to Payscale data. With experience, professionals can see their earning potential increase.
This career path also offers several advancement opportunities, including roles such as health information manager. Medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $110,680 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These managers benefit from strong demand, with the BLS projecting 29 percent employment growth in the field between 2023 and 2033.
Earn a Healthcare Management Degree at SEMO Online
Are you ready to launch your career in healthcare informatics? Southeast Missouri State University offers an online bachelor’s degree program that offers students the specialized knowledge and skills for careers in the field.
The online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management program at SEMO Online uses a flexible format to deliver coursework in healthcare operations, management and informatics. Majors in the healthcare informatics track explore healthcare database systems and management information systems to prepare students for roles in health informatics.
SEMO Online’s program incorporates real-world experience through practicums and internships. This practical experience means you’re career-ready before graduation day. You can also earn a Master of Science in Healthcare Management with an emphasis in informatics from SEMO Online, or enroll in one of SEMO’s many on-campus programs. Reach out to learn more about our healthcare management degrees.
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Sources:
CareerOneStop, Health Informatics Specialists
Glassdoor, What Does an Informatics Specialist Do?
ONET OnLine, Health Informatics Specialist
Payscale, Average Health Informatics Specialist Salary
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers
U.S. Department of Labor, Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032)