Health Informatics Specialist

Your Fit

Income

$62K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

9.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Health Informatics Specialist?

A Health Informatics Specialist is a professional who combines knowledge of healthcare, information technology, and data management to improve patient care outcomes. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining electronic health record (EHR) systems and using data to enhance healthcare delivery.

Sample job titles:

Clinical Informaticist, Clinical Informatics Specialist, Health Informaticist, Nursing Informatics Specialist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Health Informatics Specialist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Health Informatics Specialist earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Health Informatics Specialist.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$42K per year	$51K per year	$62K per year	$73K per year	$88K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $3.16K below the national average.

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What does a Health Informatics Specialist do?

Work environment

Health Informatics Specialists typically work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, public health organizations, and private practices. They may also be employed by health IT vendors, government agencies, or research institutions. Their work often involves collaboration with healthcare providers, IT staff, and administrative personnel.

Quick task list

Implements and manages electronic health record (EHR) systems.
Analyzes healthcare data to identify trends and improve patient care.
Ensures compliance with health information privacy and security regulations.
Trains healthcare staff on new technology and data management practices.
Collaborates with healthcare providers to optimize clinical workflows.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Clinical Informatics: Focuses on applying IT to improve patient care and clinical services.
Health Data Analytics: Specializes in analyzing large datasets to inform healthcare decisions.
Health Information Management: Centers on managing patient records and ensuring data accuracy.
Healthcare Project Management: Involves overseeing health IT projects and implementations.
Health Policy Informatics: Focuses on using data to inform and shape health policy.

Description

Health Informatics Specialists play a crucial role in modern healthcare by bridging the gap between clinical practice and information technology. They are instrumental in implementing and managing health information systems, which are vital for efficient and safe patient care. These professionals need a strong understanding of both healthcare processes and IT to develop systems that are user-friendly, efficient, and compliant with regulations.

Their work often involves data analysis to track health trends, manage population health, and improve the overall quality of care. This requires a deep understanding of healthcare data, as well as the ability to communicate findings effectively to non-technical staff. They also play a key role in training healthcare personnel on new systems and processes, ensuring that technology is used effectively to enhance patient care.

The field of health informatics is constantly evolving with technological advancements. Therefore, professionals in this field must be committed to lifelong learning and staying updated with the latest in healthcare technology, data management practices, and regulatory changes.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the improvement of patient care and healthcare outcomes.
Working at the intersection of healthcare, IT, and data science.
Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth in a rapidly evolving field.

You might make a good Health Informatics Specialist if you are...

Passionate about healthcare and technology.
Detail-oriented, with a strong ability to analyze and interpret data.
A problem solver who enjoys finding technical solutions to complex issues.
Skilled in communication and able to explain technical concepts to a non-technical audience.
Committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of technological advancements.

Pros:

High demand in the growing field of healthcare technology.
Opportunities to make a significant impact on patient care and health outcomes.
Diverse career paths and specialization options.

Cons:

Requires keeping up with fast-paced technological changes and regulations.
Can involve complex and challenging problem-solving scenarios.
Balancing the needs of healthcare providers, patients, and regulatory requirements can be demanding.

How to become a Health Informatics Specialist

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in health informatics, health information management, or a related field is generally required, entailing about 4 years of post-secondary education. Some roles may require a master's degree or specific certifications in health informatics.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Health Sciences to understand basic healthcare principles.
Computer Science and Mathematics for foundational IT and analytical skills.
Statistics to prepare for data analysis roles.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at healthcare facilities to gain industry insight.
Joining health or science clubs to engage in relevant projects.
Participating in technology fairs or hackathons to develop IT skills.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a bachelor's degree in health informatics, health information management, or a related field.
Seek internships in healthcare settings to gain practical experience.
Consider certifications such as the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Certified Professional in Health Informatics (CPHI).

More resources

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) - Offers resources and certification information.
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) - Provides information on health IT and informatics.
American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) - Focuses on the intersection of informatics and healthcare.
HealthIT.gov - Offers resources on health IT policies, standards, and technology.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.