Information technology (IT) professionals are more in demand than ever, especially within the health care industry. Whether you’re looking to land your first job or advance your career in the health care IT field, there are many opportunities in both health care organizations and IT outsourcing firms.
The 1st Annual HIMSS Workforce Survey outlines five areas in particular that have seen a big jump in hiring and are expected to keep growing. The following is a quick overview of each, along with the kinds of skills, degrees, and certifications hiring managers are looking for.
1. Help Desk
Help Desk, as it relates to health care IT, may also appear in job descriptions as Clinical IT Help Desk. Individuals in this position typically assist doctors, nurses, and other health care practitioners in any kind of computer-related issues, from Electronic Health Records (EHR) to day-to-day troubleshooting.
A Help Desk position is a great entry point for candidates who hope to pursue more advanced jobs within health care IT. A lot of organizations hire individuals for this position with just an associate’s degree or classes towards a bachelor’s degree. Oftentimes, an organization will train people who may not have as much IT experience but who possess a strong background in customer service. Successful employees might then be moved into Clinical Application roles.
2. Clinical Application Support
Clinical Application Support personnel apply their knowledge of health care and IT to implement, train, and support the use of clinical software applications. Individuals in this position may also be part of a team that maintains current applications as well as analyzes and recommends future clinical software needs.
Since this position requires interpersonal activities in addition to technical knowledge, hiring managers will be particularly attracted to candidates with strong communication skills and a basic understanding of programming. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science will be required, as well as certifications related to the clinical software application the organization uses.
3. Project Management
In general, Project Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of assigned IT projects. They collaborate with Technical Specialists, make assessments, and implement project plans. In a health care environment, they may also work with a project team that includes physicians, clinic staff, and others associated with an IT project.
Project management roles in health care IT require both project management and IT skills. Hiring managers and external IT vendors are looking for qualified candidates with a BS in Business Administration or Information Technology. Certifications such as a CAPM® or PMP® are also necessary to ensure understanding of project management processes and terminology.
4. Information Security
Information Security specialists evaluate information security practices, analyze emerging threats and countermeasures, and apply security management principles. Positions in this field include Computer Security Specialist, Data Security Analyst, Director of Information Technology, Information Security Manager, IT Auditor, Security Engineer, and Network Security Administrator.
Hiring managers will be looking for individuals with a BS in Information Security, as well as key security certifications, such as CISSP®. Due to interaction with EHR (electronic health records), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance is also mandatory.
5. Business Intelligence
Business Intelligence professionals assess the information needs for a business decision situation and identify and access the appropriate sources for that information. They may also be required to integrate necessary quantitative and qualitative data to support evidence-based decision making. Common job titles include Business Analyst, Business Information Director, Business Intelligence Director, or Data Analyst.
Hiring managers are looking for individuals who can make health care data useful and meaningful to business objectives. Business Intelligence positions require at least a BS (Engineering and Computer Science are common), if not an advanced degree like an MS in Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, or Data Science. Additionally, required certifications may include SAS, SQL, Oracle, Data Marts and OLAP.
Start Off on the Right Foot.
One of the biggest hurdles for organizations and IT firms is finding qualified candidates to fill these positions.Capella offers certificates and bachelor’s degrees in business and technology areas such as Business Intelligence, Project Management, Health Information Technology, and Information Assurance and Security. Previously earned IT certifications like your CISSP®, PMP®, and others can help you earn credit, saving you time and money on your degree.
