Look around the job search boards. Chances are, you will find many positions in information technology and the medical field, but you may have also noticed quite a few that combine the two fields. These positions are in health informatics, one of the fastest growing fields in the nation due to U.S. government mandates for electronic medical records.
Along with career opportunities in health informatics, there are plenty of opportunities to earn an advanced degree in health informatics. But is a master’s degree in health informatics worth the effort? Here’s why you should take a serious look at pursuing an advanced degree in health informatics.
Advancing Job Requirements
It is indeed possible to enter health informatics with a bachelor’s degree or no degree at all. However, employers are increasingly requiring advanced degrees, and such degrees are necessary if you want to advance in the field or seek a management position. If you have experience in either the medical or IT field, a master’s degree–such as the program offered by Adelphi University–could be exactly what you need to find the higher-level position you’ve been dreaming about.
Bridging the Gap
Medical professionals know medicine. IT professionals know networks and systems. What happens when the two worlds collide? A bridge must be built to connect the two fields. Sometimes that bridge is a health informatics professional. If you already have experience in one of the fields, obtaining an advanced degree in health informatics can give you the additional knowledge you need to be successful in this exciting new field. It’s not uncommon to transition from a practitioner position in either medicine or IT to a management position in informatics simply by obtaining a graduate degree in health informatics.
Breadth of Knowledge
Even if your master’s degree in health informatics does not lead you to a career in the field, the coursework you will have completed can earn you success in a variety of careers. Health informatics degree programs certainly include studies in healthcare and technology, but some programs delve into other topics such as mathematics, economics, management, and sociology. You may even do fieldwork in public health or epidemiology, gaining you a breadth of experience and knowledge that will serve you well, no matter where your career path leads.
Improving Our Medical System
Careers in healthcare and IT alone can immensely improve the lives of others. A career in health informatics takes that improvement to an even higher level. Developing and implementing systems to improve documentation and medical recording has the potential to enhance patient care. Because the U.S. healthcare system will soon be dependent on electronic records in its efforts to effectively serve patients and provide a streamlined system for billing and reimbursement, workers in health informatics will play a critical role in the overall success of the healthcare system.
The Bottom Line
Whether you want to advance your career or make a difference in the world, a career in health informatics is a great option. To increase your impact, consider pursuing an advanced degree in the field. You’ll soon find it to be a positive investment in your future.
