Are you interested in earning a degree in health informatics but not sure where to find a program? Spurred by the increasing pervasiveness of computer technology in today’s modern world and the country’s increasing demand for health care, colleges and universities across the United States are adding health informatics degree programs to their catalogs. In fact, if you are hunting for a degree program and need help locating one that suits your personal and professional needs, the American Medical Informatics Association maintains a searchable list of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
What is Health Informatics?
Both health care and technology are continually evolving. The science of health informatics sits at the intersection of these two rapidly advancing fields. Health informaticists apply computer technology to health care issues, designing, developing and implementing new technological systems and performing complex analyses of health care data in an effort to make health care more efficient and cost effective, with the ultimate goal being to improve patient care.
What Degree Programs are Available in Health Informatics?
With the country’s aging population and new health care laws driving the desire for health care services steadily higher, colleges and universities are continually expanding their range of degree programs to prepare students for assorted positions in this in-demand field. Today, individuals interested in beginning a career in health informatics have their choice of degree programs at a variety of post-secondary levels. Associate degrees allow students to test out their fit in the field in entry-level positions and offer them the enticing possibility of beginning to work in health informatics while continuing their education. Bachelor’s degree programs provide a greater depth of training and a wider range of professional opportunities. Master’s degree programs are a fantastic way for health informaticists to expand their understanding of the field, for information technology professionals to transition into the health care industry, and for health care providers to gain training in informatics that allows them to apply their experience to patient care in a new way. Doctoral programs are also available. Students even have their choice of traditional and online programs.
What Jobs are Available in Health Informatics?
A 2012 survey conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers Health Research Institute revealed that roughly 50 percent of hospitals, 70 percent of insurers and 40 percent of pharmaceutical companies were planning to increase their hiring of health informatics professionals. What jobs do health informaticists hold? U.S. News and World Report assembled a list of potential positions and their respective salaries. While the geographic location and exact duties of a particular position can result in varying amounts of compensation, the median salary for clinical data analysts is roughly $55,000. Health information management directors can expect to earn $66,000 each year. Information technology consultants can expect annual median wages around $74,000. Clinical informatics managers bring home median salaries of $95,000. Individuals who reach the highest levels of management and accept jobs as chief information officers earn median salaries of more than $150,000.
Related Resource: Health Information Manager
Health informatics offers people interested in both health care and technology the chance to work on the cutting edge of both fields. The challenge of finding ways to apply new technologies to the analysis and delivery of health care is an ongoing one. People working in this hot field must be committed to continuing education in order to stay up-to-date on new developments and how those advances may affect their own area of expertise. For aspiring health informaticists, earning a degree in health informatics can be the start of an exciting career.
