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Health Informatics, Medical Informatics, Bioinformatics Degrees
Online degree and certificate programs in health informatics from accredited universities and colleges. |
Health Informatics, Medical Informatics, Bioinformatics
Health Informatics - One of the Largest Growth Industries
• The US Department of Labor estimates a 49% job growth in health information and health informatics
• Healthcare Informatics was named one of the top careers in U.S. News & World Report
• Approximately 70,000 health informatics specialists are needed , according to Don Detmer, the CEO of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), the main professional body relating to health informatics in the U.S.
• Health informatics is the #1 emerging industry job opportunity on CareerBuilder.com
• Electronic medical records tops ECRI's Top 7 Health Plan IT Trends to Watch
Health Informatics Specialists are focused on how to use medical information most effectively. They enhance the development and assessment of tools used representing medical data, aiding medical decision making, defining medical language and classification systems, as well as computer aided learning and healthcare IT strategy. Health Informatics is an excellent field for technically savvy individuals who want to work in the healthcare industry, as well as current healthcare professionals. Many informatics specialists start as a healthcare practitioner but this is not necessary.
Health Informatics Specialist Education and Skills
Health Informatics Specialists hold certificates, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees. Each individual should understand his long term career goals and research the curriculum at each program level to determine the right pathway. For nursing professionals, there are specifically nursing informatics programs. Education in health informatics covers areas such as the core sciences, database management, information security, medical coding and classification, health information systems design and analysis, and health law. Health informatics courses can also include medical terminologies, so that you can confidently converse with clinical staff regarding the medical records you're keeping. Since medical informatics professionals often work in teams or are in management positions, some degree programs offer courses on project management and organizational behavior as well. Health informatics jobs require candidates who have a passion for customer service, love computers, are team builders and team players, are problem solvers and can work under stress.
Health Informatics Certification
This relatively new field does not currently have a certification requirement. However, AMIA is in working on development of a certification process.
Health Informatics Salary
Even though the responsibilities are great, medical informatics professionals are well rewarded. According to Indeed.com, Health Informatics Analysts earned on average $81,000 in 2008 with a salary range of $34,000 to over $110,000. As with any career, salaries varied based on location, experience, employer, education and other factors.
| Sub-disciplines of Health Informatics include: |
Health Informatics job opportunities can be found in: |
| Bioinformatics
Clinical Informatics
Consumer Health Informatics
Population Health Informatics
Nursing Informatics
Clinical Research Informatics |
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| Hospitals & other healthcare providers
Pharmaceutical companies
Medical software companies
Consulting firms
Public health organizations
Government/non-government agencies
Insurance companies
Academia |
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Health Informatics Career Options |
Average Salary* |
| Chief Information Officer |
$122,000 |
| Chief Security Officer |
$105,000 |
| Informatics Researcher |
$76,000 |
| Medical Informatics Program Manager |
$70,000 |
| Medical Information Systems Director |
$76,000 |
| Clinical Database Specialist |
$54,000 |
| Clinical Systems Analyst |
$74,000 |
| Medical Informatics Program Designer |
$35,000 |
* Salary figures are provided by Indeed.com
>> Read Interview with Health Informatics Specialist
>> Read Interview with Informatics Nurse
>> Audio: Health Informatics - Interview with Dr. Bill Hersh |
| Online Schools offering Health Informatics, Medical Informatics, Bioinformatics |
 University of Illinois at Chicago Online
The University of Illinois at Chicago is ranked in the top 4% of 4,000 colleges and universities in the US by U.S. News & World Report.
Health Informatics - Master of Science
The Master of Science in Health Informatics emphasizes the analysis, implementation and ongoing management of the critical factors that impact the successful selection and use of health care information technologies. This online degree program equips students with an academic foundation in health information sciences and the practical tools necessary to apply this knowledge. Graduates will be prepared for a wide range of roles at mid-to-high management levels in the health care information setting.
The University of Illinois at Chicago Master of Science in Health Informatics program is one of only three online graduate programs designated as an "Approved Program" by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
University of Illinois at Chicago also offers:
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 Drexel University Online
Healthcare Informatics - Certificate
This comprehensive certificate program is designed for information professionals, clinical personnel and healthcare support personnel who want to increase their knowledge of health information technology and management of the complex social and organizational issues surrounding this major change in healthcare. This online certificate program will provide an intensive introduction to the evolving field of Medical/Health Informatics. The goal of the Certificate in Healthcare Informatics is to provide knowledge and skills in the application of information technology (IT) in the provision of healthcare. Graduates of the program will gain knowledge and skills useful in taking on additional healthcare IT-related responsibilities or embarking upon new careers as managers or developers of healthcare IT systems.
 Drexel University has again made the "up-and-coming" short list of national universities that have achieved "the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities," according to top college officials polled by U.S.News & World Report for the 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges."
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| Capella University Online
IT / Health Informatics - Bachelor of Science
The Health Informatics specialization of the Information Technology BS degree is designed to prepare you to use technology to improve health care quality and lower costs. Course work covers such topics as electronic information systems management, information security, data integrity, and regulatory compliance. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing information technology specialist positions in hospitals, clinics, and health care systems.
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| Kaplan University Online
Information Technology / Health Informatics - Bachelor of Science
Students of the health informatics specialization will examine data modeling and management for the twenty-first century health care industry. They will review the wide variety of health care information available, focusing on quality, laws, regulations, and standards. Students will learn to design and develop health care IT application components, and gain foundational IT knowledge to support smarter decision making.
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| Western Governors University Online
Health Informatics - Bachelor of Science
This program is for experienced healthcare or IT professionals seeking an affordable online bachelor’s degree and IT certifications to work in the high-demand field of health informatics. The B.S. in Health Informatics prepares learners to become designers and developers of health informatics and information systems for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The program equips students with a combination of healthcare and IT skills and includes two IT certifications as part of the curriculum.
WGU offers the Excellence in Health Informatics Scholarship, which is valued up to $2,500. This scholarship is available to experienced IT or healthcare professionals who wish to move into the high-demand field of health informatics.
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| DeVry University Online
CIS / Health Information Systems - Bachelor of Science
This degree in Computer Information Systems with a track in Health Information Systems prepares graduates to develop specialized healthcare applications that both improve patient care and make healthcare more efficient. By mastering current technologies and best practices, including picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ACT (HIPAA) and Health Level Seven (HL7), graduates will be prepared to integrate equipment output with HER and other applications, as well as to develop and support electronic health records applications in hospitals and medical offices nationwide.
DeVry University offers 7,500 scholarships up to $25 million each year to current and prospective students from the U.S. and Canada.
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| Walden University Online
CIS / Healthcare Informatics - Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems / Health Informatics program is designed to prepare learners with the technical and business skills to use technology to help people and organizations. With the specialization in healthcare informatics, students will study the healthcare industry and learn how a variety of information systems are involved in patient care, research, administration, and public health. They will explore social and ethical issues as they prepare to help analyze and design healthcare information systems, policies, and processes.
Walden University also offers the following programs:
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| University of Phoenix Online
Health Administration / Informatics - Master
This program specialization is designed for health care and nursing professionals interested in pursuing or advancing in careers associated with health care informatics and technology. Individuals with no background in informatics receive an overview of informatics as it relates to delivery within a health care facility. The program is designed to provide the learner with current knowledge in concepts of health care informatics, systems life cycle, and data management.
Nursing / Informatics - Master of Science
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), enhances the knowledge and skills of registered nurses with baccalaureate-degree preparation. The program prepares advanced practice nurses to function in leadership roles in practice and educational settings. Advanced nursing theory and research provide the foundation for nurses to influence the future of nursing and health care. Students complete core courses in advanced nursing content and process, as well as on leadership skills. Specializations assist students to concentrate on developing increased knowledge and/or skills in a specific area of content or advanced practice role.
Healthcare Informatics - Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
This certificate program is designed for health care and nurse professionals interested in pursuing or advancing in careers associated with health care informatics and technology. Individuals with little or no background in Informatics receive an overview of informatics as it relates to delivery within a health care facility. The program is designed to provide the learner with current knowledge in concepts of health care informatics, systems life cycle, and data management. The 10 credit-bearing specialization is available as a certificate program for post-baccalaureate students.
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| You may also be interested in Health Information Management >> click to see programs |
| Kaplan offers online certficate programs for experienced healthcare professionals who want to expand their career options. >> Request Info |
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Geriatric Care Management
Case Management
Life Care Planning
Forensic Nursing |
Legal Nurse Consultant
Medical Billing
Medical Coding
Pharmacy Technician |
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