Those thinking about their future careers know one of the hottest career tracks these days is computer science. Another one is the entire health care industry. They might wonder what would happen if they could combine the two? The answer is called Health or Medical Informatics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects it is one of the fastest growing occupations for the next decade.
Someone working in medical informatics analyzes and disseminates health data through with computers. Usually one specializes depending on the branch or medicine they are working in, whether it’s geriatrics to gene splicing, nursing to pharmaceuticals. They must also be on top on the latest communications tech, software and research rules and regulations. ?
While the career path to become one of these analysts is not as intense as getting an MD, it’s not that far behind. It involves learning both the medical and IT professions at the same time. As such, it’s a good idea for a high school student to talk to a career counselor when making one’s first steps. Fortunately, there are a number of institutes of higher learning, both brick and mortar and online, that offer proper undergraduate course loads. They usually focus on medical-related courses with some computer science and IT classes.
While many can gain employment after securing their Bachelor’s of Science in the field, it is highly advisable to go on for post-graduate work. There are a number of schools that offer such courses under a variety of different names. Usually, this is where one refines one’s knowledge on the computer science end.
Again, it should be realized this is a field with a high demand for more personnel. Because of this, financial aid is not only available from one’s place of employment and the usual federal/state programs, but also from a number or research hospitals, other institutions of higher learning as well as outside public, private and professional organizations.
When is said and done though, the compensation is worth it. Those with 4-year degrees average $26,000 to $42,000 depending on their place of employment. From there, the average wage goes to $85,000, with management making $95,000 to over $100,000. The benefits are also exceptional.
And from the looks of things, the need for more people in informatics is only going to get greater. After all, just read up on the latest medical news coming every day. A medical informatics specialist had his or her hand in it. The constant research means there is a constant need for people with their medical online college to assemble and interpret not only the results, but the possible consequences of what’s being discovered. Because of this, it’s easy to see why medical degree in science and science bachelor degree are growing so fast.