Health Informatics Careers

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Health informatics careers combine concepts and practices from healthcare, computer science, and information science. In this field, you can work as a computer systems manager, health informationist, or clinical analyst. With an advanced degree in health informatics, you can also pursue careers in higher education and applied research.

This guide provides the information you need to start and grow a career in the field. You can learn about employment opportunities by degree level and how to switch your career to health informatics.

How to Start Your Career in Health Informatics

Earning an undergraduate degree in health informatics is the first step toward a career in the field. While there are some roles that you can obtain with only a postsecondary certificate, like medical record specialist, most careers in this field require a degree.

Degree programs in health informatics focus on building students' knowledge of medical terminology, health information, and computer science. They also cultivate skills in project management, business intelligence, and database administration.

If you're interested in pursuing research or educational roles after completing your education, consider graduate school. Remember, each step you take is a stride toward an exciting future in health informatics.

9 Health Informatics Careers You Can Pursue

The field of health informatics is diverse and offers a variety of jobs that can suit different interests and skill sets. Below are nine potential careers that you could pursue with a degree in health informatics.

Associate Degree in Health Informatics

Earning an associate degree in health information or a closely related subject can qualify you for several entry-level careers in the field. You'll learn how to use tools like electronic health records systems and classification guidelines to assign valid diagnostic codes. You'll also become familiar with basic medical terminology.

To earn an associate degree in health informatics, you must complete at least 60 credits of coursework, which takes approximately two years of full-time study. Below, we detail two health informatics careers graduates can pursue with an associate degree.

Bachelor's Degree in Health Informatics

Earning a bachelor's degree in health informatics opens the door to a range of career paths that merge the worlds of healthcare and IT. These four-year programs cover much of the same information as associate programs but typically include more courses in computer science and IT.

In addition to more job opportunities, you can also look forward to higher earning potential with a bachelor's degree. Below we detail one management role in health informatics you can pursue with a four-year degree.

Master's Degree in Health Informatics

Health informatics can be a lucrative field, especially if you have a master's degree in health informatics. While a bachelor's program teaches you basic skills, a master's program in health informatics lets you specialize your education, opening the door to more niche careers.

If you choose to pursue a master's degree in this field, you should have a clear professional goal in mind. Since each master's program is different, it's important to choose the best master's program for your target career.

Not all of the roles described in the following table explicitly require a master's degree, but a graduate-level education can help set professionals apart from their peers when applying for jobs.

Doctoral Degree in Health Informatics

Health informatics is a dynamic field that can lead to many exciting positions. To be qualified for some of the most advanced roles in the field, you need significant experience and a doctoral degree.

A doctoral degree demonstrates advanced expertise and leadership skills that set you apart from master's degree holders. As such, employers hiring workers for executive positions often look for candidates with a doctoral degree.

Holding a Ph.D. in health informatics opens up a world of career possibilities in various fields. There are job openings in the academic world, where you could be teaching health science courses or diving into research and education, as well as career opportunities in corporate environments.

Should You Pursue a Career in Health Informatics?

To build a successful career in health informatics, you must have extensive knowledge of technology infrastructures that support healthcare. You must understand the complex relationships between healthcare organizations as well as the roles of government agencies and accrediting bodies.

You also need strong interpersonal and tech skills in order to collaborate effectively with IT and healthcare teams. There are a few different paths you can take to acquire these proficiencies, such as obtaining a postsecondary certificate or gaining experience in a healthcare setting, but a degree program typically provides the most comprehensive education in health informatics.

Health Informatics Career Outlook

The BLS projects that healthcare occupations will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2022 and 2032.

According to BLS projections, health information technologists are expected to see 16% job growth between 2022 and 2032; these workers earned a median annual salary of $58,250 in 2022. The BLS also projects medical and health services management positions to grow by 28%. These healthcare leaders earn a median annual wage of $104,830.

How to Advance Your Career in Health Informatics

To progress in your health informatics career, consider obtaining certification or earning an advanced degree. A bachelor's or master's degree in health informatics could equip you with the skills needed for management positions in the field. If you have prior healthcare experience and a network of mentors and colleagues, you might have an edge in obtaining leadership roles.

It's essential to cultivate a diverse range of competencies, including familiarity with health data systems, programming, and data analysis skills. The ability to solve problems independently, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively can also help you succeed.

How to Switch Your Career to Health Informatics

If you're a mid-career healthcare professional looking for a change of scenery, transitioning into a health informatics career may be easier than you think. Depending on your current profession and degree level, you may only need to obtain certification and some level of training.

This switch is popular among RNs and pharmacy technicians, who can apply their experience with electronic health records to work as nurse informaticists and pharmacy informatics specialists. Physicians can also change careers by completing fellowship training with providers like UCLA's School of Medicine and the ChristianaCare regional healthcare system.

Due to its focus on data analysis and application of technological tools, health informatics may also be a good fit if you're experienced in IT administration and development. Similarly, if you have a business degree, you can enroll in master's programs in health informatics to expand your operations management knowledge and develop consulting skills.

Interview With a Health Informatics Professional

Douglas Bittel, Ph.D.

Associate Professor Kansas City University

Why did you decide to pursue a career in health informatics? Is it something that you were always interested in?

I have always been interested in genetics and the complexity of developmental regulation. So my interest in informatics stems from a fascination with biological information management. From this, health informatics is a logical extension.

What did your career path look like after graduating? How did you end up where you are now?

I graduated with a Ph.D. in molecular biology. I eventually joined a genetics team at the University of Kansas Medical Center and, from there, was recruited to the genetics department at Children's Mercy Hospital. We explored the genetic contribution to many different developmental deficiencies experienced by children in our lab. This research required a great deal of information management and analysis, which led me to appreciate the expertise required for good data acquisition, storage, and analysis.

What do you feel are the most important skills to be successful in health informatics?

The answer to this question is very dependent on specialization. My own experience is centered around genetic data. Computer skills are essential. Acquiring, safely storing, accessing, and analyzing big sets of data requires excellent knowledge of the computer programs needed for each of these processes.

What does continuing education look like for you? How do you stay up to date with new research and developments in the field?

I read newly published research. I also experiment with and learn to use new computer programs.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job? The most challenging?

Analyzing data and finding an answer to a new question is very rewarding. Keeping up with all of the vast information concerning data management and processing is very challenging.

What advice would you give to students considering a degree and career in health informatics?

Get a solid education in biology and computer programming.

Any final thoughts for us?

The field of Informatics is rapidly expanding and represents an excellent career choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Informatics Careers

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 4, 2024