What Do I Need To Become a Health Informatics Specialist?

Want to become a health informatics specialist? Here’s what you need to know about the necessary education, certifications, and career options. 

To become a health informatics specialist, you’ll need a combination of education, certifications, and a passion for improving data collection and analysis for patient care. Many professionals in this role have diverse backgrounds in fields like medicine, data analysis, and information technology. Understanding what’s needed to enter this industry can help you determine whether it’s the right career for you to pursue. 

The first step is getting your college degree. With the right educational path, you’ll be on your way to securing your dream job after graduation. Here’s what you need to know about entering the health informatics workforce.  

What Is Health Informatics?

Health informatics is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and information science. It focuses on acquiring, storing, retrieving, and using health data to improve patient outcomes, streamline healthcare delivery, and support decision-making in medical practices.

Health informatics specialists support healthcare practices through medical technology innovations, bettering how doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals care for patients. They analyze and manage electronic health records (EHRs), develop data-driven insights, and implement digital tools that enhance clinical workflows. By integrating artificial intelligence, telehealth solutions, and predictive analytics, health informatics professionals play a crucial role in advancing precision medicine and optimizing healthcare efficiency.

Common Career Areas in Health Informatics

• Clinical informatics: Focuses on improving patient care by optimizing EHRs, clinical decision support systems, and healthcare workflows.
• Health information management: Involves organizing, securing, and analyzing patient health data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and accessibility in medical settings.
• Data analytics: Uses health data to identify trends, improve healthcare outcomes, and support evidence-based decision-making through predictive modeling and reporting.
• Health IT specialist: Implements, maintains, and secures healthcare technology systems, ensuring seamless integration of software, databases, and digital tools in medical environments.
• Public health informatics: Applies data-driven strategies to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks, track health trends, and inform public health policies and programs.
• Telehealth coordination: Involves virtual healthcare management, ensuring that telemedicine platforms, remote patient monitoring, and digital consultations run smoothly and securely.

What Education Do You Need To Start a Career in Health Informatics?

Like most medical roles, education is critical to acquiring foundational knowledge and succeeding in several settings. Here are the necessary education requirements to enter this field:

Bachelor’s Degree

To get a job in health informatics you need at least an associate's degree in health informatics. However, most management roles require a bachelor’s degree in either health informatics, healthcare administration, nursing, or computer science. These programs provide essential knowledge in medical terminology, EHR systems, database management, and healthcare regulations. Some roles, particularly in data analytics or health IT, may require coursework in programming, statistics, and cybersecurity.

It can also be beneficial to gain some experience with medical terminology. You can accomplish this by taking courses in public health, biology, human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and pharmacology. 

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and Technology that will equip you for a career in health information management at a hospital, life sciences company, or other health-related organization. 

Master’s Degree

For those looking to advance their careers or specialize further, earning an advanced health informatics degree in public health or health information management can open doors. A graduate health informatics program often covers advanced topics such as clinical decision support systems, predictive analytics, and healthcare policy. 

MCPHS’s Master of Science in Health Informatics is designed for entry- to mid-level professionals who want to improve patient care. If you’ve completed your undergraduate degree and want to dive deeper into topics related to professional collaboration, team-based care, and technological advancements in medicine, this could be a helpful program. 

Specialized Certification

Earning specialized certifications demonstrates expertise and commitment to the field of healthcare informatics. The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification is ideal for professionals focusing on health information management as it ensures compliance with medical record standards and regulations. The Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) credential validates skills in data management, statistical analysis, and interpreting healthcare trends to support decision-making. For those specializing in the integration of technology and healthcare, the Certified Professional in Health Informatics (CPHI) certification highlights proficiency in health IT systems, clinical informatics, and data security.

While not always mandatory, hands-on experience through internships, clinical rotations, or working in healthcare settings can provide valuable practical skills and make candidates more competitive in the job market. 

Health Informatics FAQs

What skills does a health informatics specialist need?

Health informatics specialists need a combination of technical expertise, healthcare knowledge, and analytical skills to succeed in their roles. For example, an understanding of computer programming is helpful, especially a familiarity with languages such as Java, C, Python, and SQL. 

Students entering the industry should also know about health data systems and be able to learn new programs as technology is continually advancing. In addition to technical skills, problem-solving and critical thinking are crucial for healthcare informatics specialists, who play a key role in optimizing data systems and improving patient care outcomes.

Communication and collaboration skills are equally important, as health informatics specialists often work alongside doctors, nurses, IT professionals, and administrators to implement new technologies and improve data-driven decision-making. Knowledge of programming languages, data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI can further enhance career prospects in this field.

Where do health informatics professionals work?

Health informatics professionals can be found in many healthcare settings, where technology is leveraged to help streamline how the medical industry cares for patients. Many work in hospitals where they manage EHRs, assist with data-driven decision-making, and help clinical staff use health IT systems efficiently. Other common workplaces include outpatient clinics, nursing homes, research institutions, and insurance companies. In these settings, they analyze healthcare trends, track patient outcomes, and develop innovative solutions for medical data management.

Beyond traditional healthcare environments, health informatics professionals are increasingly in demand in technology companies specializing in health IT, software development, and data analytics. Government agencies, public health organizations, and consulting firms also employ informatics experts to enhance healthcare policies, monitor disease outbreaks, and improve patient data security. With the rise of telehealth and remote patient monitoring, opportunities in digital health startups and virtual care platforms are also growing, making this field highly versatile and in demand.

Can you get into health informatics without a degree?

A degree in health informatics, healthcare administration, or a related field is encouraged and provides a strong foundation. However, it is possible to enter the health informatics field without a formal degree. The right combination of experience, certifications, and technical skills can also open doors in this industry. Many professionals transition into health informatics from nursing, IT, medical coding, or healthcare administration, gaining expertise through on-the-job training, professional development courses, or specialized certifications.

Certifications can demonstrate your expertise and improve job prospects. Additionally, knowledge of health data analytics, EHR systems, and cybersecurity can make you more competitive, even without a formal degree. Those looking to break into this role without a traditional educational background may also benefit from online courses, boot camps, or entry-level positions in healthcare IT support, data entry, or medical records management.

How much does a health informatics specialist make?

While your pay will depend on your location and medical setting, the average salary per year for a health informaticist is $62,990, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Factors such as experience level, certifications, and specialized skills in data analysis, cybersecurity, or EHR systems can also impact salary potential. Professionals in leadership roles or working in high-demand areas like hospitals, research institutions, or healthcare IT firms may earn significantly more.

Additionally, this growing field is expected to continue on an upward trajectory, with employment projected to increase by 16% from 2025 to 2033. 

MCPHS: The Right Educational Step

With over 200 years of providing medical education to students from all over the world, MCPHS is equipped to offer rich learning experiences and amazing career possibilities upon graduation. Whether you’re interested in a hospital setting, boosting patient outcomes with advanced technology, or working for a company conducting the research behind these innovations, MCPHS is the place to make it happen. 

Apply today to start on your career path in health informatics.