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Career Center :: More Biotechnology Career Profiles
Health Informatician |
Career OverviewThe duties and responsibility of a Health Informatician are twofold. The first component is the collection, analysis and subsequent formulation of a course of treatment based on the study of the data. The second component is to then communicate with the health care providers including the doctor, specialists, nurses and other members of the team.
In addition the Health Informatician often talks directly to both the patient and the patient’s family discussing the research and the possible and recommended options for treatment.
Health Informaticians are essential as the sheer amount of data and information is more than most physicians and nurses are able to manage and maintain. The Health Informatician is the technical component of the team working with the group to make the research material and data into practical and relevant information for the treatment of the patient. The data may also be used in ongoing research and development at various hospitals and training centers around the country.
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Career RequirementsThere are several training programs throughout the United States for Health Informaticians. One of the first programs started in the country was at UC Davis and the Master’s Degree program that they offer is considered one of the best in the country. The University of Maryland offers an eight-month program in Health Informatician, as do several other Universities throughout the United States.
To enter the various programs the entrance requirements will vary slightly. The University of Maryland program requires that applicants already be licensed in a medical health field such as nursing, pharmacy, epidemiology, infectious disease control or be a lab technician or supervisor.
The UC Davis requirements are similar with the addition of current doctors, veterinarians as well as a TOEFL score of 600 for the written test or 250 for the computerized test. Proficiency with computers and programming language is required. There is an in person interview with each candidate before acceptance into the Master’s program. Completion of the program requires a thesis and a research project upon completion.
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Job OutlookWith the continuing emphasis on new drugs and treatment options the need for detailed data collection, management and interpretation continues to be in the forefront of research and patient care.
Within the Health Informatics category there are many different specializations including management positions. As more Master’s and Bachelor level graduates from US schools enter this new field the demand for more graduates will only increase.
In this new field there is still opportunity to develop unique uses for the skills that are developed in training, and research facilities, hospitals and medical centers are constantly looking for more effective and efficient ways to share information and keep on top of the overwhelming amounts of data collected.
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Career TrackSince this is an emerging and developing field there are many different career tracks or options available to individuals that are qualified Health Informaticians. Depending on the individual’s level of education, certification, Bachelors, Master’s or even PhD, the different tracks will be career options.
The following are all possibilities for employment as a Health Informatician:
- Medical Informatics Program Manager
- Medical Informatics Program Designer
- Informatics Researcher
- Informatics Research Assistant
- Medical Database Administrator
As the field continues to grow more and more positions are being developed and created by professionals already working in the field. Currently those entering the profession with the basic Bachelor’s level degree may find that they have a difficult time finding employment unless they have a very strong medical background or an extensive history of computer and data management in other settings.
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CompensationAn entry level Health Informatician with a solid medical background and at least a Bachelors degree should expect to earn from $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
Those candidates with a Master’s or PhD level training and medical experience are often hired into management positions and may earn from $40,000 to $50,000 as a starting salary. There are often opportunities to advance quickly in the field as the role of the Health Informatician becomes more defined.
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