Health Informatics Specialist

Also called: Clinical Informaticist, Clinical Informatics Analyst, Clinical Informatics Nurse, Clinical Informatics Specialist, Clinical Informatics Systems Analyst

Health Informatics Specialist

Varies

estimated salary

Health informatics specialists apply knowledge of nursing and informatics to assist in the design, development, and ongoing modification of computerized health care systems. May educate staff and assist in problem-solving to promote the implementation of the health care system.

  • Translate nursing practice information between nurses and systems engineers, analysts, or designers using object-oriented models or other techniques.
  • Apply knowledge of computer science, information science, nursing, and informatics theory to nursing practice, education, administration, or research, in collaboration with other health informatics specialists.
  • Design, develop, select, test, implement, and evaluate new or modified informatics solutions, data structures, and decision-support mechanisms to support patients, health care professionals, and their information management and human-computer and human-technology interactions within health care contexts.
  • Analyze and interpret patient, nursing, or information systems data to improve nursing services.
  • Develop, implement, or evaluate health information technology applications, tools, processes, or structures to assist nurses with data management.
  • Identify, collect, record, or analyze data that are relevant to the nursing care of patients.
  • Use informatics science to design or implement health information technology applications to resolve clinical or health care administrative problems.
  • Provide consultation to nurses regarding hardware or software configuration.
  • Analyze computer and information technologies to determine applicability to nursing practice, education, administration, and research.
  • Develop strategies, policies or procedures for introducing, evaluating, or modifying information technology applied to nursing practice, administration, education, or research.
  • Develop or implement policies or practices to ensure the privacy, confidentiality, or security of patient information.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in informatics.
  • Develop or deliver training programs for health information technology, creating operating manuals as needed.
  • Disseminate information about nursing informatics science and practice to the profession, other health care professions, nursing students, and the public.
  • Design, conduct, or provide support to nursing informatics research.
  • Inform local, state, national, and international health policies related to information management and communication, confidentiality and security, patient safety, infrastructure development, and economics.
  • Plan, install, repair, or troubleshoot telehealth technology applications or systems in homes.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 82% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 87% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 72% responded "Extremely important".
  • Coordinate or Lead Others — 55% responded "Extremely important".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 50% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
  • Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
  • Design healthcare-related software applications.
  • Communicate project information to others.
  • Install computer software.
  • Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
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Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
Map creation software
  • ESRI ArcGIS software Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Structured query language SQL Hot Technology
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