A Guide to Careers in Health Informatics

Learn what it takes to become a health informatics specialist and where you'd work once you get your degree at MCPHS.

Are you interested in data analytics and health technology? If so, a career in health informatics may be the right future for you. This rapidly growing field blends healthcare, information technology, and data management to improve patient care and operational efficiency. Professionals in this industry work in hospitals, research institutions, government agencies, and private healthcare organizations.

Whether you're passionate about developing innovative healthcare solutions, analyzing patient data, or optimizing electronic health records, a career in health informatics offers diverse opportunities. Continue reading to learn what types of roles you could do and how to get into this field in the first place.

What Is Health Informatics?

Health informatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines healthcare, information technology, and data management to improve the delivery and quality of healthcare services. It focuses on collecting, analyzing, and using data to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and support clinical decision-making. It is a critical component of modern healthcare, making it a promising role for students. In fact, the job outlook from 2025 to 2033 is expected to grow by 16%, much faster than the average career path.

This growth is mainly due to three main reasons:

• The continuous introduction of healthcare technology and electronic health records among healthcare professionals.

• The advancement of the Internet of Things, which enables smart devices to collect and transmit data.

• The shift toward telemedicine, enables patients to see doctors and other healthcare workers from the comfort of their homes or workplaces.

The role of a health informatics specialist includes the following tasks:

Managing Electronic Health Records

Health informatics specialists oversee the implementation, maintenance, and optimization of electronic health record systems. They ensure patient data is accurately recorded, stored, and easily accessible to every healthcare provider while maintaining privacy and security standards.

Data Analysis and Reporting

These health informatics professionals analyze large volumes of healthcare data to identify trends, improve patient outcomes, and support evidence-based decision-making. They generate reports that help healthcare organizations optimize operations, reduce costs, and enhance quality of care.

System Development and Integration

Health informatics specialists work with IT teams to develop, implement, and integrate new healthcare technologies and information systems. They ensure compatibility between different platforms, allowing seamless data exchange between departments, providers, and external organizations.

Ensuring Compliance and Security

Compliance with healthcare regulations, such as HIPAA, is a critical responsibility. Informatics specialists develop and enforce data security protocols, conduct audits, and ensure that health information systems comply with industry standards and government regulations.

Training and Support

To maximize the benefits of health informatics systems, specialists provide training and support to healthcare professionals. They educate staff on best practices for using electronic health records, healthcare management tools, and other health IT solutions.

Improving Clinical Workflow

Health informatics enhances clinical workflows by streamlining administrative tasks, reducing paperwork, and improving communication between providers. Specialists assess and optimize processes to ensure efficiency, minimize errors, and enhance patient care.

Research and Innovation

Health informatics plays a key role in driving medical research and innovation. Specialists leverage data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to develop predictive models, support clinical trials, and improve personalized medicine approaches.

Where Do Health Informatics Specialists Work?

Health informatics specialists are employed across various healthcare, research, and technology settings where data-driven decision-making and digital health solutions are essential. It's an extremely diverse profession, giving you the freedom to work in almost any environment you desire. Some of the key workplaces include:

Healthcare Facilities

• Hospitals and clinics: Health informatics specialists manage electronic health records, optimize workflows, and ensure compliance with health regulations.

• Long-term care facilities: They support health information management systems that track patient care, medications, and treatments in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.

• Home healthcare agencies: Health informatics professionals help integrate remote monitoring and telehealth solutions to enhance patient care at home.

Public Health Organizations

• Government agencies: Specialists analyze large-scale health data to track disease outbreaks, public health trends, and policy effectiveness at agencies like the CDC, NIH, and WHO.

• Nonprofit health organizations: They use data analytics to develop programs that improve community health initiatives.

Health Technology and IT Companies

• Electronic health record vendors: Companies like Epic, Oracle Health, and Meditech hire specialists to develop, maintain, and improve digital health record systems.

• Medical software and app development firms: Informatics specialists contribute to creating health apps, decision-support tools, and wearable technology integration like smartwatches and medical-grade monitors.

• Health insurance companies: They work on predictive modeling, claims processing, and fraud detection using advanced data analytics.

Academic and Research Institutions

• Universities and teaching hospitals: Informatics professionals research digital health innovations, AI applications, and precision medicine.

• Pharmaceutical and biotech companies: Bioinformatics scientists analyze biological data, conduct clinical research, and support drug discovery efforts.

Corporate and Consulting Firms

• Healthcare consulting firms: Specialists assist hospitals and healthcare providers in optimizing their IT infrastructure, implementing new technologies, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Medical device companies: They help develop and integrate software into medical devices for data collection, patient monitoring, and analysis.

Popular Careers in Healthcare Informatics

Whether you make your decision about career goals based on what type of setting you want to be in or what role you want to play, there are countless options. Here are just a few of the top healthcare informatics jobs you could select from:

Health/Clinical Informatics Specialist

These specialists play a vital role in modern healthcare by bridging the gap between patient care and digital data management. They ensure that electronic health records are properly maintained, updated, and utilized to enhance patient care. They collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and IT teams to streamline workflows, improve clinical decision-making, and enhance data accuracy. Their expertise in health information systems allows healthcare facilities to operate more efficiently while helping them stay compliant with federal regulations. Optimizing how patient information is stored and accessed contributes to better patient outcomes and more informed treatment plans.

Clinical Informatics Analyst

A clinical informatics analyst transforms complex health data into meaningful insights that improve patient care and operational efficiency. These professionals work with vast amounts of medical data, using advanced analytics and data visualization tools to identify trends, predict health risks, and support clinical decision-making. By collaborating with healthcare providers and IT specialists, a clinical analyst helps design and implement data-focused solutions that enhance patient safety, reduce errors, and improve overall healthcare delivery. Their work is instrumental in ensuring that data is collected and used to continuously improve healthcare settings.

Clinical Informatics Manager/Director

As leaders in the field, clinical informatics managers and directors oversee the strategic implementation of data systems within medical institutions. They're responsible for managing teams of analysts, specialists, and IT professionals to ensure that health informatics initiatives align with the organization's goals. Their role involves evaluating and integrating emerging technologies, optimizing systems, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Additionally, they play a key role in training staff on best practices for digital health solutions, fostering an environment where technology supports, rather than hinders, high-quality patient care.

Testing Analyst

Testing analysts are the quality assurance experts of healthcare informatics, ensuring digital health systems function seamlessly, securely, and efficiently. Their primary responsibility is to rigorously test software applications, electronic health records platforms, and other digital health tools before they're implemented in clinical environments. By identifying bugs, security vulnerabilities, and system inefficiencies, these professionals help prevent technical issues that could compromise patient safety or disrupt operations. Their role is crucial in maintaining the reliability of digital health solutions, as even minor glitches in informatics systems can lead to significant operational challenges.

Bioinformatics Scientist

A bioinformatics scientist combines expertise in biology, computer science, and data analytics to drive groundbreaking research in healthcare and life sciences. These professionals develop software tools, algorithms, and databases to analyze vast biological data, including genomic sequences, protein structures, and clinical trial results. Their work is essential in fields such as personalized medicine, drug discovery, and disease research, where data-driven insights can lead to new treatments and medical advancements.

Key Guidance on Obtaining a Health Informatics Degree

With several great career prospects in a variety of healthcare settings for you to choose from, you may be ready to jump right into a health informatics career. If so, you'll want to begin the process by getting a related degree from an accredited college or university. Popular majors include health informatics, computer science, and other related fields. This will help you gain a base-level knowledge of medical terminology, data science, IT systems, and data management, preparing you for most jobs in the sector.

Once you have your degree, you could also earn your Registered Health Information Administrator certification. This lets future employers know that you understand regulatory guidelines and have gained valuable skills to help minimize errors and identify areas for improvement. Once you're ready to start applying to jobs, focus on the types of work and settings you're most interested in.

Ready to pursue a profession in health informatics? Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has a Master of Science in Health Informatics degree that can help you land your dream role in the health informatics field, whether you want to work on the analytics or administration side of things.

Apply to MCPHS today to start learning.