What Types of Jobs are Available in Health Informatics?

Health InformaticsIn recent years, there has been a huge demand for different types of jobs available in health informatics. According to data released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health informatics careers are expected to dramatically rise in the next five to ten years. To stay relevant to the ever-growing and complex healthcare market, employers must be willing compensate prospective talent with competitive health informatics salary. To meet the goal of managing the vast number of local, state and federal mandates and deadlines, medical facilities like hospitals to nursing facilities are rushing to find informatics leaders who can to help drive professional teams toward the successful actualization of the mandated goals, according to the US News and World Report. While many college programs can prepare individuals for the basic needs to enter the field, students and career changers need to seek out the educational opportunities that will lead to top jobs in the field of health informatics. Here is an overview of some of the different types of careers you can within the health informatics industry.

Health Informatics Consultant

This position allows healthcare facilities to meet upcoming federal guidelines, such as ICD-9, while managing complex revenue cycles. Health informatics consultants are responsible for:

  • Updating Networks
  • Installing Software
  • Monitoring Systems and Troubleshooting
  • Training Teams

While some consultants have been in the field for a significant number of years and do not possess advanced degrees, it is becoming more common for consultants in health informatics to hold a master’s degree. There is a wide range of salary potentials for consultants based on area of specialty and other factors like geographic location. Those who reside in cities like Los Angeles and New York City will obviously make more money. The American Health Information Management Association reports the health informatics salary for this career path to be in the upper $80,000’s. With years of experience, salaries can definitely rise over $100,000.

Health Informatics Director

This executive level leader combines a liking for technology with a wide array of “people skills” aimed at integrating and organizing the flow of data across different divisions of an hospital or medical facility’s organization. These individuals are also chiefly responsible for:

  • Training teams on health information technology
  • Meeting with stakeholders and constituents such as physicians, nurses, and pharmacy staff to roll out technological protocol changes and updates
  • Recording, analyzing and mitigating technology issues and challenges

Most health informatics directors will hold a master’s degree, yet some that have grown with the field may hold a bachelor’s degree along with many years of experience. While salary ranges will vary geographically, The US Department of Labor reports the range to be from approximately $70,000 to over $150,000 per year. Some health Informatics Directors, working for large hospitals, make as much as $500,000 or more a year!

Other Considerations

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the growing need for skilled, adaptable, and well-trained health information specialists will continue throughout the end of this decade. While a wide-range of opportunities exist, competition is toughest for top jobs. Salaries will obviously vary based on years of experience, level of education, size of organization and geographic location. Salaries will obviously be higher in larger, metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, DC. If you have a passion for health care and technology, there are definitely different types of jobs available in health informatics.