Health IT Education and Career Growth

As the field of health informatics grows, there is a tremendous need for educated professionals to fill crucial roles. One of the greatest challenges in health informatics today comes from ensuring that new health informatics professionals are equipped with the skills and knowledge to make sure that healthcare technologies are implemented effectively and in a way that improves efficiency, affordability and patient outcomes.

The great need for health informatics education

Formal education in health informatics serves to fill critical gaps in the workforce through technical training, healthcare knowledge, and management training. UNE Online’s graduate programs in health informatics prepare future leaders who are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to make a positive impact.

We make sure our students are properly prepared to take on leadership roles. Our graduate programs provide industry-focused skills such as in-depth knowledge about healthcare laws and regulations, and we also educate our students about crucial technical skills such as understanding healthcare quality, database design, project management and data analytics.

The field of health informatics is growing rapidly, and job opportunities, particularly in telehealth, machine learning, app development and pop health will continue to face a shortage of qualified candidates. In fact, the field of health informatics is growing ten times faster than healthcare jobs overall, according to a study done by Burning Glass in June 2012. This means an abundance of opportunities for health informatics graduates.

Health informatics graduates boost their earning potential

For students, there are significant financial incentives to earning an advanced degree or certificate in health informatics beyond a passion for healthcare and IT. After graduation, students can expect substantial salary increases. A 2012 study by AHIMA found that the average salary for a health informatics professional with a master’s degree was $20,000 more annually than those with just a bachelor’s.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) estimates a current shortage of roughly 50,000 health information technology professionals. And as a high-growth market, there is abundant opportunity for advancement.

This critical need for qualified health informatics professionals is why graduate programs in health informatics are so critical – we prepare the future generation with the necessary skills to help improve our healthcare system and to improve lives.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in Health Informatics, or if you’re simply interested in discussing the program, please reach out to an Enrollment Counselor at (855) 751-4445 or via email at informatics@une.edu.

Or, fill out an online application today at online.une.edu/gateway-portal-page – we look forward to hearing from you!