As interest in the health informatics field continues to grow, we are often asked why those interested in continuing their education should pursue a Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics and whether they need healthcare or IT experience to apply.
The health informatics field is growing exponentially every day and so is the demand for trained professionals. Earning an M.S. in Health Informatics and Analytics degree is a great way to qualify for jobs in the industry – even if you have limited healthcare or IT experience. The curriculum is designed to provide all the required knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
Those who pursue a career in health informatics come from a variety of backgrounds and play different roles in this ever-growing industry. If you’re looking for a career with endless growth opportunities or for a career change this is a great place to start.
A health informatics degree is in demand
Since the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was signed into law in 2009, there has been an immense and continuous growth in the health informatics industry. The HITECH Act required healthcare professionals to transfer over all paper-based health records to an electronic format to be easily accessible by patients and all types of healthcare providers.
This created thousands of new jobs and new career paths as the industry developed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has consistently reported major growth of jobs in the field. The number of jobs is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.
What type of experience do I need to pursue a career in health informatics?
Although most professionals come from a healthcare or IT field, it isn’t required. The curriculum from an accredited and reputable program is designed to prepare you to use all the basic medical terminology, metrics, and clinical coding needed, along with developing your skills to leverage technology and analyze data.
Florida International University (FIU) has had students in the program from different specialties, including:
- Nursing,
- Health Administration,
- Information Technology,
- Information Systems,
- Health Informatics,
- Health Services,
- Business (accounting),
- Sciences (psychology and biology services),
- Medicine,
- And other health-related fields
Depending on your individual areas of expertise and training your job title, role, and responsibilities will differ once you enter the workforce. You can focus more on patient care or data analysis.
The demand for professionals in this field makes it one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. Whether you’re looking to boost your career or looking for a change, the possibilities after receiving an M.S. in Health informatics and Analytics are endless.
Make sure to read “ What types of jobs can a M.S. in Health Informatics and Analytics help me obtain?” to learn more about the jobs a Master of Science in Health Informatics & Analytics program will prepare you for.