The Booming Field of Medical Informatics

Medical informatics, an esoteric, umbrella term referring to the analysis, application, storage, retrieval and dissemination of medical information, is making a rapid ascent within the lexicon of medicine. Specialists in this field work at the nexus of clinical medicine and information technology, using computerized systems to guide diagnosis, treatment and research. They may also bring expertise to the table in medical records coding, billing and reimbursement, and clinical analysis ? areas that are naturally information intensive. As the adoption of technology continues to take shape in the health care industry, the need for professionals possessing dual competency in medicine and technology will grow exponentially over the next twenty years.

Broad in its scope, the field of medical informatics intersects with myriad specialty areas that require the management of complex data. This information encompasses a broad set of uses, from clinical decision-making to research. Evidence-based medicine, a movement in the health care field, is partly driving informatics rise in importance. Accordingly, the need for knowledge management experts is fueling a new set of professional roles with job titles such as clinical information specialist and vice president of clinical information systems. The growth of new career paths is expected to gain momentum as the informatics field evolves in its complexity and direction.

For the prepared, opportunities will be ripe for the picking in myriad health care sectors. These include hospitals, public health clinics, physician group practices, pharmaceutical companies, medical software companies, consulting firms, federal and state health agencies, and insurance companies among others. The nationwide emphasis on electronic health records will create unprecedented career opportunities as the push toward integrating systems among disparate health care organizations reaches full trajectory.

While there is no single educational path, licensing or credentialing requirement to become a health informaticist, those who posess a degree in Health Information Management are prepared to bring an integrated package of competencies in IT and clinical medicine to the career and are most highly sought after. To prepare future entrants for the profession, growing numbers of traditional and online programs are sprouting up nationally to address the anticipated demand for talent. In particular, a bachelor?s degree in nursing combined with a master?s degree in informatics represents a proven route to top-tier positions in the field.

Because of the unique nature of the work, successful medical informatics professionals will need to possess a broad knowledge of the health care industry, including a working orientation to the third-party payor market. Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and strategic thinking skills are also critical as these professionals are often called upon to bridge learning gaps between workplace colleagues, clinicians, patients, and the community at large. IT skills including competency with clinical software systems and data measurement tools are par for the course for any informatics professional.

As health industry reform efforts continue to spark widespread engagement of information systems, medical informatics professionals will be in great demand. Amid the need for clinical and decision-making tools that support the further expansion of the industry, this career promises to be one of the fastest-growing fields in the medical sector.

Earn A Medical Informatics Degree Online
Take the first step towards earning your degree in Informatics by requesting program information from schools that offer accredited online Medical Informatics degree programs. Featuring the same fully accredited content and expert faculty support available to students learning in the on-campus setting, online Informatics degree programs allow busy working adults the flexibility to learn on their schedule. Explore Medical Informatics Programs

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing - Informatics
• AAS in Health Information Technology
• MBA - Health Care Management

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Ultimate Medical Academy Online

Online

Boost your career with an education from Ultimate Medical Academy Online. We offer career-focused training in dental assisting, nursing assisting, medical billing and coding, basic x-ray, and more. Programs take as little as seven weeks.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology Associate
• Medical Administrative Assistant - Associates

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• Master of Health in Administration/Health Care Informatics
• M.S. in Nursing/Informatics
• MS in Nursing/Informatics

Campus Locations:

Online
Arlington
Reston
Mesa
Manassas
Plantation
Phoenix
Roseville
Beale AFB
Southfield
Maitland
Jacksonville
Tampa
Livermore
Clinton Township
Fort Lauderdale
East Lansing
Chandler
San Jose
Atlanta
Sacramento
Orlando
Snellville
Oakland
Fairfax
Marietta
Clearwater
Savannah
Livonia
Lathrop
Salida
Grand Rapids
Elk Grove
Ann Arbor
Miami
Baton Rouge
Hollywood
Flint
Portage
Sarasota
Sandy Springs
McDonough
Temple Terrace
Macon
Duluth
Rancho Cordova
Daytona Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
Troy
Fairfield
San Francisco
Gardena
Henderson
Killeen
Austin
Tucson
Columbus
Louisville
Lone Tree
Costa Mesa
Houston
Spring
Ontario
Westminster
Cordova
Las Vegas
Milwaukee
Saint Paul
Flowood
Meridian
Indianapolis
Nogales
Tulsa
Rogers
Culver City
Independence
Kansas City
St Louis Park
Springfield
Birmingham
Hurst
Diamond Bar
San Antonio
Saint Louis
Pasadena
Fort Collins
Brookfield
Appleton
Kapolei
Irving
Lancaster
Los Angeles
Yuma
Bossier City
Aurora
San Diego
Sugar Land
Dallas
West Chester
Mililani
St. Louis
Madison
Overland Park
Augusta
Westlake
Colorado Springs
Pleasant Grove
Plainfield
Woodland Hills
Washington
Murrieta
Metairie
Columbia
Visalia
Westborough
San Bernardino
Salt Lake City
West Des Moines
Santa Fe
Charlotte
Chula Vista
El Paso
Santa Teresa
Beachwood
Chattanooga
Fayetteville
Fresno
Carolina
Clearfield
Braintree
Nashville
Murfreesboro
Raleigh
Bakersfield
Burlington
Clarksville
El Centro
Reno
Oklahoma City
Minneapolis
Saint George
Albuquerque
Greensboro

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• M.S. in Health Informatics
• Masters of Information Systems Management - Healthcare Informatics
• B.S. in Health Studies - Health Informatics

Allied Schools

Campus

Considering a new career or need additional job training? Whether you want to train for a new career, advance within your current company, or simply learn new skills to stay competitive in today's job market, Allied's distance education training can help! Because the courses are offered online and through traditional distance education, the stress associated with driving to and attending a live class is eliminated. Start your new career training today, start it with Allied Schools.

Programs:

• Medical Terminology
• Electronic Health Records
• ICD-10 Comprehensive Coding Training Course

Campus Locations:

Laguna Hills

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology
• Medical Office Administration

Campus Locations:

Honolulu
Stockton
Salida
Milpitas
Portland
Fresno
Salinas
Rancho Cordova
San Francisco
Roseville
Hayward
Concord

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Anaheim

Northwestern College

Campus

Training for a successful future is easier than you may think! Northwestern College offers flexible career training to fit your busy schedule. Earning your certificate or degree will put you in a position to increase your earning potential and advance into the career you've always wanted!

Programs:

• Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Chicago
Bridgeview

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology
• Health Information Technician
• Information Technology and Biomedical Technician

Campus Locations:

Winter Park
Largo
Kingston
Orange Park
Ravenna
Birmingham
Baton Rouge
Nashville
Erie
Cuyahoga Falls
Richmond
Grand Prairie
Miami
Houston
Houston
Wayne
Cookeville
Columbia

CollegeAmerica

Campus

Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics (Online)
• Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (Online)
• Master of Science in Information Systems (Online)

Campus Locations:

Colorado Springs
Flagstaff
Denver
Phoenix
Cheyenne
Fort Collins

Charter College

Campus

Prepare for a better career and a brighter future with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. Our small class sizes and dedicated instructors ensure a personalized education experience. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find the job that's right for you after graduation.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Anchorage
Oxnard
Wasilla
Vancouver
Pasco

Stevens-Henager

Campus

For more than 119 years, Stevens-Henager College has worked to train generations of graduates for new careers. Stevens-Henager College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Our degree programs, designed to help graduates compete in the ever-evolving employment market, include Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Surgical Technology, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, Computer Science, and Graphic Arts*. Online programs are offered via Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray. Stevens-Henager College Idaho Falls is a branch campus of the CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, AZ, main campus.

*Check each campus for program availability.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
• Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics (Online)
• Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Campus Locations:

Orem
Nampa
Lehi
Boise
Murray
Ogden
Logan
Idaho Falls
Layton
Saint George

National American University

Campus

Since its beginnings in 1941, National American University has been a cornerstone of higher education, keeping pace with the ever-changing advancements of technology, while holding onto core values that provide a caring and supportive environment for all students.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology
• Electronic Health Record Support Specialist

Campus Locations:

Burnsville
Minneapolis
Albuquerque
Watertown
Austin
Lees Summit
Kansas City
Overland Park
Wichita
Littleton
Tulsa
Rapid City
Colorado Springs
Saint Paul
Hopkins
Rio Rancho
Mesquite
Saint Charles
Sioux Falls

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Science: Health Information Technology
• Occupational Associate of Applied Science: Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

San Antonio
Las Vegas

Career Quest Learning Centers

Campus

Give your career a boost with Career Quest Learning Centers. We offer programs in business, information technology, and health care that are designed to get you into your new career fast.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Jackson
Lansing
Portage