The Health IT field is continuing to expand due largely in part to the large demand for care within our aging population. Have you ever considered a career in HIT? If not, read on to find out more about the many benefits of this booming field.
So what is the Health IT field?
Those who specialize in the Health IT field typically manage the collection, use, analysis, and retrieval of healthcare information through record systems and electronic services.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for those holding a master’s degree in Health IT has a bright outlook.
Career Paths with an Advanced Degree in Health Information Technology
- Computer Information Systems Management
- Medical and Health Services Management
- Health IT Implementation in Healthcare
- Health IT Development
- Clinical settings, ambulatory care, home & hospice
- Consumer health IT (e-health)
- Management consulting
- Insurance Sector
- Public Health
- Legal Firms
- Local, State, and Federal Governments
- Entrepreneurial Initiatives
The Impact of the Health IT Field on the End User
Paul Mulhern, a faculty member with UMBC’s graduate program in Health IT, spoke with us about the Health IT field and the importance of professionals who are able to bridge the gap between technology and patient care. He said that the number one complaint of clinical health care professionals is that the technologists don’t understand what they need to serve their patients in the best and most effective way possible.
What this means is there is a huge opportunity for those entering the field. If a person can bridge that gap and create cohesive communication between technology and patients, then their value will increase.
“It’s imperative that Health IT professionals develop a strong sense of empathy so they can see the world through the eyes of others,” Says Mulhern. “Being able to understand technology problems and the concerns, anxieties, and fears that come associated with them is crucial. If a person is creating, maintaining, or managing software for an emergency response system, then having a sense of what the people who are doing the frontline work are experiencing is really helpful when you’re providing the technical support for them. The better a person can grasp the issues and offer alternate solutions, the more successful they will be in performing client work,” concluded Mulhern.
The Current and Future Job Outlook of the Health IT Field
In this article, we gathered information on two vital positions within this very broad industry to illustrate the potential opportunities, Computer Information Systems Managers and Medical and Health Services Managers.
Computer Information Systems Managers
Role of Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and information systems managers often plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. Management turns to them to inform their thinking on technology-related business activities. Essentially, they help determine the technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.
Educational Requirements for a Computer and Information Systems Manager
Typically, to enter the field, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science and related work experience. A graduate degree is highly desirable and often required to be a computer and information systems manager
Earning Potential for Professionals in the Health IT field
The median annual wage for computer and information systems managers was $139,220 in May 2017.
Job Outlook
If you want in on this field, now is a great time because employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026. This growth happens to be faster than the average. Furthermore, demand for computer and information systems managers will grow as firms increasingly expand their business to digital platforms.
Sample of Reported Job Titles:
Application Development Director, Computing Services Director, Data Processing Manager, Information Systems Director (IS Director), Information Systems Manager (IS Manager), Information Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor), Information Technology Director (IT Director), Information Technology Manager (IT Manager), MIS Director (Management Information Systems Director), Technical Services Manager
MD Job Outlook
A Day on the Job – Typical Duties:
- Develop computer or information systems
- Maintain operational records
- Evaluate employee performance
- Supervise employees
- Conduct employee training programs
Medical and Health Services Managers
Role of Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. A professional in this position may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. Medical and health services managers need to have a keen understanding of healthcare laws, regulations, and technology and be responsive to conform to these changes.
Educational Requirements for a Medical or Health Services Manager
When entering the medical and health services field, a bachelor’s degree is necessary. To build a career and transition into more of a manager role, a master degree is typically required. To become a medical or health services manager, work experience within an appropriate position, such as an administrative or a clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility, is also often required.
Earning Potential
The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $98,350 in May 2017.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 20 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The reason? Baby boomers. As their large population grows older and people remain active later in life, we’re likely to see an increase in the demand for healthcare services.
Sample of reported job titles: Clinical Director, Health Information Management Corporate Director, Health Information Management Director, Health Manager, Mental Health Program Manager, Nurse Manager, Nursing Director, Office Manager, Practice Administrator, Program Manager
A Day on the Job – Typical Duties:
- Develop computer or information systems
- Coordinate operational activities with external stakeholders
- Develop organizational goals or objectives
- Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities
- Confer with organizational members to accomplish work activities
MD job outlook:
If you’re interested becoming part of this dynamic field, explore our graduate program in Health Information Technology today!