1. Health Care Informatics
Val H. Kollath
Manager, Information Systems Applications
Fremont Area Medical Center
2/24/2019

2. Introduction Definition of Healthcare Informatics (I.T.)
Examples of Healthcare I.T.
What career opportunities exist
What type of training is required
How can you get a job in this field
What the future holds for this field
2/24/2019

3. What is Healthcare Informatics?
The use of computer technology to automate patient care
Goal is to improve quality and lower healthcare costs
2/24/2019

4. Examples of Healthcare I.T.
Converting Medical Records from Paper to computerized records
Electronic Prescriptions
Radiology Imaging – moving from the x-ray film to a live movie showing the body’s images
Lab tests being done by machines
Electronic claims with insurance companies
Computerized systems that monitor patient vitals and record them in the chart
2/24/2019

5. Career Opportunities – Types of Jobs
Networks and Hardware support
Working in a hospital to configure software to work in the organization
Programming – Working for a Software Company
Working in the Insurance Industry
Consulting – lots of travel!!
2/24/2019

6. What Training is Needed?
Technical for Network and Hardware
Programming and software engineering
Healthcare career with an emphasis in I.T.
How I became involved in Healthcare I.T.
Initially worked in clinical areas
Worked in Healthcare Management
Recruited to work in I.T. – Involved with conversion project
25 years in Healthcare – 10 in I.T.
2/24/2019

7. How People are Hired in this Field
Strong experience is needed – it helps to do an internship, volunteer for a system conversion or have other experience
Training in a clinical area and then moving into I.T. (nursing, lab, radiology, doctors)
Attending a college that has a strong computer programming curriculum
Advanced training
2/24/2019

8. What the Future holds
Current Pay ranges (starting pay $40,000 + and increases with skill and flexibility)
2004 Salary Survey
Government emphasis on expanding I.T.
Technology is exploding
There is a shortage of qualified people
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9. Summary
Healthcare I.T. is a changing career path with lots of opportunity
It is a career that is on the cutting edge of technology and is always challenging
It is a great way for someone with technical skills to make a difference in the lives of people
2/24/2019

10. Where to Get More Information
Biohealthmatics.com
Find a school that has a strong emphasis on computer technology
Look for a college that has advanced degrees in Healthcare I.T.
Talk to people who work in the profession (I.T. professionals and Clinical Professionals)
                                          
2/24/2019