One of the fastest growing job fields today is in computer science in the healthcare industry. This is due to the rapidly expanding healthcare industry and to the fact that healthcare facilities are digitalizing their information. According to Healthcare Jobs, the number of computer-related positions in the healthcare industry will increase as facilities adapt to the digital storage and management of information. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that all jobs in the healthcare computing area will increase by 30.7 percent. Information and Data Analysts, however, will see an increase of 54.6 percent.
What Kinds of Jobs are Available in Computer/Healthcare?
Basically, these are the same jobs available in other computer science disciplines, but seen through the lens of healthcare. First, there are research positions. Most research scientists have doctoral degrees and command median salaries of $102,000. The human genome was mapped because algorithms were designed and analyzed by computer scientists. Data programmers and software specialists also have their place in healthcare. Research laboratories not only need people who can write programs and design software, but also those who can assist in the development and implementation of the programs. These are technicians and they typically earn a median salary of more than $40,000.
The first person to meet patients in a healthcare facility is the Registration Specialist. This is someone versed in data entry that collects patient health and financial information and enters it into the information system. The Registration Specialist is different from other data entry specialists because he or she must have a working knowledge of medical terminology in addition to computer competency. The website Indeed, lists several healthcare/computer positions. One is an Interface Analyst. This person makes sure that the different data systems in the healthcare system can communicate effectively with one another to coordinate patient care, equipment audits, staffing and other aspects of running a medical facility that are now entirely digitally managed. The analyst needs a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of experience. The median salary for this position is $74,280.
What Kind of Education Is Needed for a Computer Science Job in Healthcare?
First, you need a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science with a concentration in healthcare. The computer aspect of the degree program will give you an understanding of computer architecture and data structures as well as programming languages and software design. The healthcare component will address medical issues and ensure you have a working knowledge of medical terminology. An undergraduate degree will enable you to get an entry-level position in the field. To get a management job, or to advance, you will need experience and, possibly, a master’s degree. In addition, certification may be earned which will make you more marketable to employers.
Related Resource: IT Security Specialist
The “perfect storm” of professions is in the healthcare/information technology field. Both areas are growing exponentially and, together, they are a bright spot in the economy for job seekers. The amount of specialization that is needed for the highly technical field, however, requires a solid education in computers and a basic understanding of the healthcare field. Although there are currently more programmers than programming jobs, opportunities in healthcare computing continue to grow, and there is a lot of interest in computer science jobs in healthcare.
Follow