Health Informatics Degree - High Demand - Fantastic Salaries

The volume and complexity of medical records have led to a high demand for people with a health informatics degree.

Sometimes known as a medical informatics degree, this is a discipline that is at the very core of the health care industry.

Health informatics professionals ensure that medical records are properly stored, retrieved and recorded. In many cases, they also design medical record keeping systems and train staff how to use them.

Imagine the potential threat to lives that would occur if patient records were incorrectly recorded or lost. Doctors would be in danger of prescribing the wrong medication or not be able to undertake emergency operations quick enough due to lack of information.

This is why a medical informatics degree is one of the most in demand qualifications in the health care industry, which by the way, happens to be the fastest growing industry in America.

This program combines the worlds of information technology and health care. It will give you training in such areas as the core sciences, database management, information security, medical coding and classification and health law.

You'll also gain knowledge of medical terminologies, so that you can confidently converse with clinical staff regarding the medical records you're keeping.

Since medical informatics professionals often work in teams or are in management positions, some degree programs offer courses on project management and organizational behavior as well.

No question about it, a health informatics degree is a great stepping stone to a wonderful career.

The health care industry has the highest projected growth rate of any industry and health informatics professionals are well set to take advantage of this.

Health informatics jobs require candidates who have a passion for customer service, love computers, are team builders and team players, are problem solvers and can work under stress. If this describes you, getting a medical informatics degree is a sound decision.

Even though the responsibilities are great, health informatics professionals are well rewarded.

According to the American Health Information Management Association, the 2008 median annual salary for these professionals is $48000 at the entry level position. Depending on your experience and your geographic location, you could certainly earn more.

If time and funds are limited, you could do a certificate in health care informatics. It is cheaper and shorter than a bachelors degree program. Plus it gives you a good overview of the subject area.

You could eliminate the time issue and in some cases pay less, if you do this course online. This allows you to study anywhere you have an internet connection and at anytime. This is something you may find appealing, especially if you have a family or work full-time.

A bachelor medical informatics degree is suitable to those who are already in the industry and want to improve their career prospects. Also those who are outside the field but have a love for information technology, may find getting into this career very attractive.

There are also masters and doctoral programs offered in this subject. More information is available on this.