Informatics may not be a new concept; however, federal legislation has recently required that all medical records be converted to a nationwide electronic system. So, perhaps, if you are interested in the medical field, but not really interested in direct patient contact, earning your online Bachelor’s of Health Informatics degree may be a career that you can sink your teeth into. With a 15-20% job growth rate between now and 2026, now is a good time to take advantage of the demand for Health Informatics Technicians. But, are you wondering what your job description will entail? Let’s take a look at some responsibilities of this career choice.
Generally speaking, the healthcare industry is in need of educated employees who are trained in information technology and software development, combined with business skills. Your online Bachelor’s of Health Informatics degree program will teach you the skills needed to assist with the consolidation of medical information from all clinics, hospitals or other healthcare industries.
Because of the new legislation, healthcare facilities will be hiring employees that can implement the new electronic healthcare records (EHR) system, as well as, upgrade databases that already exist within healthcare. They are responsible for the design and support of an information system, as well as, the efficiency and implementation of health technology within an organization. Depending on your specialization, duties may include gathering and organizing a patient’s information and entering it into the EHR system, as you enter and update information on medical histories, physical examination results, physician notes and treatment plans, x-ray and test results and consent forms. All information must be entered correctly and accurately to ensure the patient’s safety.
You will also be responsible for the maintenance of the electronic records database. Through your online Bachelor’s of Health Informatics degree program, you will learn about the proper installation and troubleshooting requirements while working with the EHR software, in addition to, analyzing data to predict patterns of disease and treatments. The Health Informatics Technician is also responsible for health related information security and confidentiality.
In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you may or may not be required to obtain certification, however, job candidates with certification in this field are preferred and is looked upon favorably by potential employers. Certification shows that you have taken the initiative to be the best in your specialty.
There are many job titles that can be obtained with your online Bachelor’s of Health Informatics degree, such as, Chief Medical Information Officer, Health IT Consultants or Medical Records and Health Information Technicians. Another position, such as a Nurse Informaticist, is responsible for evaluating technology, customizing functionality and training others on healthcare systems.
If you are interested in this growing field, please check out our list of the Top 15 Online Schools for Bachelor’s of Health Informatics Degree Programs.