This is a very good article, but I would like to point out that contrary to what Merida Johns says above, there is no such thing as "University of Oregon Medical Center." Rather, the name of our institution, which is a leader in the informatics field, is Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). More information about our training opportunities for those interested in the field can be found at:
http://www.ohsu.edu/dmice/
As the Director of Biomedical Informatics Educational Programs at OHSU, I am pleased to see informatics being listed as an "ahead of the curve" career. I would, however, like to add some perspective to the article.
First, the terminology of this field can be confusing. While some may use the term "health informatics," others use the broader "biomedical and health informatics." I recently published a paper that reviewed and organized all of the terminology in this field, which can be accessed at:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6947/9/24/
I have also created a web page, "What is Biomedical and Health Informatics?," which points to may resources as well as has a two-hour Flash lecture that provides an overview of the field and can be accessed at:
http://www.billhersh.info/whatis/
I also keep a blog called The Informatics Professor, which addresses a variety of issues related to informatics workforce and education and is at:
http://informaticsprofessor.blogspot.com/
Finally, there are many training opportunities in the informatics field, not all of which require enrollment in a degree program. One of these is the AMIA 10x10 course, the next offering of which begins in July, 2009:
http://www.amia.org/10x10/partners/ohsu/
Bill Hersh
of OR
@
Hot Jobs
Any time I hear someone in academia tout the next big shortage in one area of the job market or another, I take it with a grain of salt. How many years have they been spouting off about the so-called nursing shortage, and now graduate nurses can't find a job. Folks in academia have one thing in mind, and that is filling seats with students. You want to find out if there's a need in one sector of the job market or another, don't ask someone in academia.
Wm. Hauser
@
Sep 11, 2009 09:50:46 AM
Health Info/Job Reduction
Interesting. I have a BS in Allied Health, major in Medical Record Administration from Ohio State. I have the RHIA credentials too from AHIMA. Merida was one of my professors, as a matter of fact. Anyway, I was working in management in the HIM dept of a hospital & my job was just eliminated (along w/ numerous other jobs) due to state funding cuts & lack of money. Not sure what to do next to find a job. This was not a government hospital, but a for profit hospital.
Lisa
of NV
@
Sep 04, 2009 09:36:18 AM
health informatics
I have a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration with 30+ years of experience in Local Government, most recently in the System Support section. I just completed an "advance technical certificate program in Health Informatics" at the Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Any suggestions about where to look for job opportunities with this background?
Jeannie Kolter
of WI
@
Aug 22, 2009 18:46:00 PM
Question to Kelly Fuller of MI
I was recently laid off from work and was thinking of going back to school to get my Masters and was trying to decide if I should get it in Healthcare Informatics?
What type of position do you have and did you get this degree? I would love to be able to stay home with my 9 year old son and was even thinking of Medical Billing to be able to work from home at least sometimes.
I would appreciate your opinion so that it would help guide my decision. I have a Bachelors in Business and worked for three years as a Marketing Specialist at a local hospital.
Thanks!
Gina Web
of OH
@
Jul 03, 2009 19:30:22 PM
Online and Campus Medical Informatics Program
Northwestern University has one of the best health and medical informatics programs I've come across. It's offered in partnership with Northerwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine and you take it either on campus or online.
Check out the Website: http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/grad/medical-informatics/
Sarah
of IL
@
Jun 24, 2009 17:02:28 PM
Health Information Careers
It is a fanstastic career with many opportunities. I have been in the field for about 15 years. I currently hold a job that allows me to work at home 4 days a week with one day inhouse at the hospital I work for. This career is great for single mom's, provides flexible hours, may work in an acute care facility, dr's offices, insurance companies, may be in consulting, teach physicians etc. Pay varies depending on area that decided upon working. Highly recommend it.
Kelly Fuller
of MI
@
Jun 10, 2009 16:30:35 PM
Earning Potential for Masters Level Health Informatics Specialist
Sounds like a very interesting field. Any one have a "real world" range for someone with a masters degree in this field? I could find the bachelor level online but it seemed a bit low to consider going back to school to complete a program. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/health-medical/medical-informatics-major.htm
thanks
Dana
@
May 25, 2009 03:59:30 AM
ONLINE Health Informatics Program!
The University of Illinois at Chicago has arguably the best Health Informatics program in the country. I recently graduated from the program and it is absolutely outstanding. They have a Master's in Health Informatics, and several graduate-level certificates. And best of all, they are ONLINE. I only had to make 1 trip to campus during the program, other than that all of my classes were via the web.
You have to check out this program if you want to get ahead in the healthcare IT field!
Website: http://healthinformatics.uic.edu/
HITGuru07
of CA
@
Mar 17, 2009 13:47:11 PM
Undergrad BS in Health Informatics Bellevue University
Bellevue University has an excellent undergraduate program in Health Informatics. It is an accelerated, online program that you can complete within a year. A student must be working in a position that uses health information and have approximately 60 hours of already earned college credit. This program provide a broad overview of management in the Health IT field, combining curriculum content from a traditional HIM program and expanding it to include EHR implementation and informatics knowledge. For more information contact www.bellevue.edu.
Bill Hersh of OR @
Wm. Hauser @ Sep 11, 2009 09:50:46 AM
Lisa of NV @ Sep 04, 2009 09:36:18 AM
Jeannie Kolter of WI @ Aug 22, 2009 18:46:00 PM
Gina Web of OH @ Jul 03, 2009 19:30:22 PM
Sarah of IL @ Jun 24, 2009 17:02:28 PM
Kelly Fuller of MI @ Jun 10, 2009 16:30:35 PM
Dana @ May 25, 2009 03:59:30 AM
HITGuru07 of CA @ Mar 17, 2009 13:47:11 PM
rr of NE @ Feb 02, 2009 08:36:46 AM
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