As interest in the health informatics field continues to grow, we are often asked why those interested in continuing their education should pursue aMaster of Science in Health Informatics and Analyticsand whether they need healthcare or IT experience to apply.
The health informatics field is growing exponentially every day and so is the demand for trained professionals. Earning an M.S. in Health Informatics and Analytics degree is a great way to qualify for jobs in the industry – even if you have limited healthcare or IT experience. The curriculum is designed to provide all the required knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
Those who pursue a career in health informatics come from a variety of backgrounds and play different roles in this ever-growing industry. If you’re looking for a career with endless growth opportunities or for a career change this is a great place to start.
A health informatics degree is in demand
Since the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was signed into law in 2009, there has been an immense and continuous growth in the health informatics industry. The HITECH Act required healthcare professionals to transfer over all paper-based health records to an electronic format to be easily accessible by patients and all types of healthcare providers.
This created thousands of new jobs and new career paths as the industry developed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has consistently reported major growth of jobs in the field. The number of jobs is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.
What type of experience do I need to pursue a career in health informatics?
Although most professionals come from a healthcare or IT field, it isn’t required. The curriculum from an accredited and reputable program is designed to prepare you to use all the basic medical terminology, metrics, and clinical coding needed, along with developing your skills to leverage technology and analyze data.
Florida International University (FIU) has had students in the program from different specialties, including:
- Nursing,
- Health Administration,
- Information Technology,
- Information Systems,
- Health Informatics,
- Health Services,
- Business (accounting),
- Sciences (psychology and biology services),
- Medicine,
- And other health-related fields
Depending on your individual areas of expertise and training your job title, role, and responsibilities will differ once you enter the workforce. You can focus more on patient care or data analysis.
The demand for professionals in this field makes it one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. Whether you’re looking to boost your career or looking for a change, the possibilities after receiving an M.S. in Health informatics and Analytics are endless.
Make sure to read “What types of jobs can a M.S. in Health Informatics and Analytics help me obtain?” to learn more about the jobs aMaster of Science in Health Informatics & Analyticsprogram will prepare you for.
FAQs
Those who pursue a career in health informatics come from a variety of backgrounds and play different roles in this ever-growing industry. If you're looking for a career with endless growth opportunities or for a career change this is a great place to start.
Is health informatics right for me? ›
People who enjoy analytical tasks, critical thinking, and problem-solving may find that health informatics is a rewarding career path. Professionals with health informatics backgrounds pursue work in data analytics, higher education, healthcare administration, information systems management, and other occupations.
Why pursue healthcare informatics? ›
Help improve patient outcomes and make health care systems more efficient by optimizing health care delivery and centralizing information such as medical records. Develop new medical technology, design public health strategies, and digitize of health care records, systems, and processes.
Is a bachelor's in health informatics worth IT? ›
Job Outlook and Salary
The demand for health informatics degree holders is high, with many jobs going unfilled. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information systems managers, ranked No. 4 in U.S. News' list of 100 Best Jobs, make an average annual salary of $173,670.
Is health informatics a hard major? ›
Well, data science is a complicated discipline, and data science in health informatics is no exception. You'll be dabbling in such changeable and nuanced areas as business research, sampling, and survey design via extraordinarily complex modern-day data management systems.
Is health informatics math heavy? ›
Health informatics relies heavily on computers, math and data security, which makes it a good fit for those with a background in information technology.
Is health informatics for introverts? ›
Strategist 1. In healthcare administration, introverts may find success in roles like health informatics, data analysis, research, policy development, or quality improvement.
Is health informatics a stressful career? ›
You'll Enjoy Better Work-Life Balance
Although every job has stressful components, informatics careers tend to be less stressful than patient care roles or even administrative roles.
What does a career in health informatics look like? ›
A health informatics specialist is a career that focuses on how health information is captured, transmitted and used in a variety of health care settings. It's an interdisciplinary approach that blends information technology with communication and health care.
Why choose health information technology as a career? ›
Whether you're interested in data analysis, health informatics, project management, or systems implementation, there's a role for you in Health Information Technology. Impactful Work: Perhaps the most compelling reason to choose a career in HIT is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient care.
About 80% of respondents agreed that informatics work was meaningful, and they were happy in their roles.
What is the highest salary in health informatics? ›
Health Informatics Salary in California
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|
| Top Earners | $124,350 | $60 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,200 | $47 |
| Average | $78,986 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,600 | $32 |
The increased demand and specialized education required to be successful in health informatics also makes it a lucrative career. The median salary for health informatics careers is $98,000 nationally, but a range of factors impact your salary expectations.
Why choose health informatics? ›
Health informatics technology lessens the need for nurses and other healthcare professionals to handwrite patient paperwork, ensuring that employees are not overworked. With the implementation of informatics, many nurses have noticed a reduction in levels of burnout and depression.
Does health informatics require coding? ›
Understanding computer programming is handy when designing an application to extract, analyze, or display data. If you choose a health informatics degree program, you will likely take courses in computer programming, or you may prefer to take a course in a programming language.
What is the most common degree in health informatics? ›
The most common degree for health informatics specialists is bachelor's degree, with 52% of health informatics specialists earning that degree.
Is clinical informatics right for me? ›
Those who pursue a career in health informatics come from a variety of backgrounds and play different roles in this ever-growing industry. If you're looking for a career with endless growth opportunities or for a career change this is a great place to start.
Do I need to know coding for health informatics? ›
Understanding computer programming is handy when designing an application to extract, analyze, or display data. If you choose a health informatics degree program, you will likely take courses in computer programming, or you may prefer to take a course in a programming language.
