Computer science is one of the fastest growing sectors in the healthcare industry. This is mainly due to the fact that more and more healthcare facilities are modernizing their systems and that technology has become completely ubiquitous in the healthcare world. As a matter of fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job prospects for positions such as Medical Records and Health Information Technicians are expected to grow at much faster rates than the national average, as it is the case with many computer science-related jobs in the healthcare sector.
What Positions are Available in the Computer/Healthcare Sector?
The scope of positions for computer science majors in the healthcare sector is pretty much similar to any other computer science related field, except with a focus on healthcare. For instance, many computer scientists are involved in the research field right and data programmers and computer scientists were instrumental in the mapping and sequencing of the human genome.
Programmers and software specialists are also in high demand in the healthcare industry. Research laboratories are in great need of technicians who can not only devise programs and write software, but also implement these software solutions effectively.
The Impact of Electronic Health Records
The implementation of Electronic Health Records by a growing number of healthcare facilities opens more positions to computer science related degree holders. One of these positions is that of Interface Analyst. Interface analysts are in charge of making sure that all of the systems within a healthcare facility work together efficiently to coordinate patient care, staffing, equipment audits and other aspects of managing a healthcare facility. To fill these positions, most interface analysts will be asked to have at least a bachelor degree. Salaries in this area are around the $72,280 mark per year on average.
What Type of Formation do I need to Land a Computing Job in the Healthcare Industry?
To reach a good position in the healthcare industry, you will usually need at least a bachelor degree in a computer science or any IT related field coupled with a concentration in healthcare. However, some programs such as a master of science in computer information systems are perfect for anyone looking for a job in healthcare. What’s even better is that there are tons of certified online computer information systems degrees available to new students or workers who want to specialize.
There is now a perfect storm of positions available in the healthcare/information industry. More and more healthcare facilities are looking for highly trained and skilled professionals to fill positions at all levels. And each of these areas is showing impressive growth at the moment, giving computer science related majors more job opportunities in the future. So if you were thinking of enrolling in a computer science program, we strongly suggest that you take a look at what the healthcare field has to offer before you make a choice of concentration, as it will maximize your chances of finding a good position once you graduate.
