Become a Health Informatician

As a Health Informatician, you could literally save lives by improving how health information is used. Your work ensures that healthcare professionals have the best data available to make crucial decisions quickly. Plus, as technology advances, your role will only grow in importance making it a smart choice for a stable and exciting career.

• Use data to improve healthcare outcomes.
• Combine technology and medicine to solve problems.
• Work with emerging healthcare technologies.
• Help hospitals and clinics run more efficiently.

A Health Informatician organises and analyses health data to help improve medical treatments and healthcare services. You might design health apps, manage electronic health records, or develop systems that doctors use to diagnose illnesses more accurately. Your work supports healthcare providers in delivering better and more efficient patient care.

Health Informaticians also inform patients, families and communities about their health. Using technology in healthcare practices allows patients in rural communities to be treated by medical staff through telehealth technology.

As a Health Informatician, you’ll use the latest technology to manage healthcare data, ensuring it’s accurate, accessible, and secure. This career is perfect for those who love both IT and helping people, as it blends the latest technology with the compassion of healthcare.

The skills of a Health Informatician are in demand across many sectors, not just in traditional hospital settings. From public health to private tech firms, your expertise helps shape the future of healthcare across several possible industries:

• Public Health Departments
• Hospitals and Clinics
• Healthcare Technology Companies
• Research Institutions
• Government Agencies
• Consulting Firms

To be primed for a career as a Health Informatician, you’ll need a mix of technical and analytical skills that allow you to manage and interpret complex health data effectively. Key skills that will matter include:

• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Technical Proficiency
• Data Management
• Communication
• Attention to Detail

Studying the right STEM subjects can set you on the path to becoming a Health Informatician. Focus on areas that sharpen your analytical skills and understanding of health sciences. Specific subjects might include:

• Mathematics (For problem-solving skills)
• Computer Science (Essential for handling data systems)
• Biology (Understanding the basics of human health)
• Health Studies (Insights into healthcare practices)
• Statistics (Crucial for data analysis)
• Information Technology (For technical know-how)

Health Informaticians might develop smart health apps that track disease spread in real-time or use big data to predict where the next health crisis might strike. They might also work on personal health devices that monitor patients’ vitals and report instantly to doctors!

Analyse patient data to improve treatments
Work with huge datasets to uncover trends in patient health, helping doctors make better treatment decisions.

Develop software that supports hospital staff
Design and implement software that makes hospital workflows more efficient, reducing stress on staff and improving patient care.

Improve electronic health record systems
Enhance the way hospitals store and access patient records, ensuring faster and more secure sharing of medical information.

Create predictive models for disease outbreaks
Use data analytics to predict the spread of infectious diseases, helping healthcare teams prepare for and prevent outbreaks.

Collaborate with doctors on tech solutions
Work closely with medical professionals to develop digital tools that assist in diagnosis, treatment, and patient monitoring.

Ensure data privacy and security in healthcare
Develop protocols and systems that keep sensitive medical information safe from cyber threats while still making it accessible to those who need it.

While health informatics is an early stage field and might not yet boast household names like other professions, several professionals in Australia are making significant impacts with their innovative work in the health sector.

Dr. Louise Schaper
Dr. Schaper is the CEO of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health and an advocate for using digital health to transform patient care. She is a leader in promoting the role of health informatics in modern healthcare.

Dr. Monica Trujillo
Dr. Trujillo is a well-known figure in health informatics and is the Chief Digital Health Officer at Telstra Health. She works on developing digital health solutions that improve the quality of care for patients across Australia.

Associate Professor Karin Verspoor
An expert in biomedical informatics, A/Prof. Verspoor is the Dean of Computing and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne, where she leads research in health data analytics and AI applications in healthcare.

Dr. Angela Ryan
Dr. Ryan is a senior leader in digital health at the Australian Digital Health Agency. She works on projects that help integrate digital technologies into the national healthcare system, improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Terry Sweeney
Dr. Sweeney is a prominent figure in digital health and health informatics in Australia. As a former Managing Director of IBM Watson Health in Asia Pacific, he has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare systems to improve outcomes for patients across the region. His work often focuses on how technology can be used to solve complex health challenges, making him a key leader in the health informatics field.

Professor Trish Williams
Professor Williams is a Cisco Chair and Professor of Digital Health Systems at Flinders University in Adelaide. Her research and work focus on cybersecurity in healthcare environments, which is crucial for protecting sensitive health data. Her contributions to ensuring the safety and security of digital health services have made her a respected figure in the health informatics community, both in Australia and internationally.

Professor Johanna Westbrook
Professor Westbrook is the Director of the Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research at Macquarie University. She is highly regarded for her research into the impacts of information technology on healthcare delivery and has led several influential studies examining how digital tools affect the work of clinicians and the care received by patients. Her findings often help shape policies and practices in health informatics.

These professionals really showcase how diverse the field of health informatics is and how it intersects with areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and clinical research. Their work continues to inspire a new generation of health informaticians not just in Australia, but globally.

Being a Health Informatician isn’t just about the technical skills – the right personality traits can greatly enhance your effectiveness and job satisfaction in this role. Some key traits that would be impactful include:

• Analytical
• Innovative
• Patient
• Detail-Oriented
• Ethical
• Communicative

This blend of skills and traits ensures that you are not only capable of handling data but also dedicated to improving patient care through innovation and detailed analysis.

A degree in health informatics or related fields like IT, healthcare, or data science is a great starting point. Here are some options:

Bachelor of Health Science (Health Information Management)
This degree covers topics such as health information systems, data management, and clinical coding. Curtin University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, preparing students for roles in data and information systems within healthcare settings.

Bachelor of Data Science
For students interested in the technical side of health informatics, a degree in data science provides the necessary skills to analyse and interpret large healthcare datasets. The University of Western Australia (UWA) offers a data science programme with applications in health analytics.

Bachelor of Information Technology (Health Informatics Focus)
This course combines IT and healthcare, teaching students how to design and manage health information systems. Murdoch University provides a programme that focuses on using IT solutions in healthcare environments.

• Bachelor of Health Information Management
• Bachelor of Biomedical Informatics
• Bachelor of Science in Health Administration with a focus on Health Information Systems
• Bachelor of Computer Science with a Health Informatics specialisation
• Master of Health Informatics (for those wanting further study after an undergraduate degree)

Mixing and matching your learning can be super beneficial. Imagine combining computer science with biology – you get to understand both how computers work and how the human body works. This kind of mixed knowledge helps you create awesome health apps or manage hospital data systems better. Or think about blending psychology with technology; you could help design software that’s not just effective but also user-friendly for patients and doctors. Many universities offer flexible degree options or double degrees, so you can customise your education to suit your interests and career goals perfectly.

Studying to become a Health Informatician is like going on a scavenger hunt, where your prize is the ability to help doctors and nurses do their jobs better and faster. Every life you save, you level up.

But more seriously, you’ll learn how to make sense of big health data (like figuring out patterns of a disease), protect important and private patient information, and even how to help hospitals choose the best tech for their needs. Plus, you’ll pick up some cool tech skills in programming and data analysis that are pretty handy in loads of jobs today (we call these transferable skills).

Getting real world experience is a key part of becoming a brilliant Health Informatician. This could be through work experience placements through high school or offered as part of your studies post school, where you might find yourself working in hospitals, health tech companies, or public health departments. Here, you’ll get a peek into the daily challenges and rewards of the job, apply your classroom knowledge in real life situations, and start building your professional network.

Not keen on committing the next few years to University just yet? That is ok too! There are other cool ways to kick-start your career in health informatics:

Vocational Training and Certifications

For those seeking practical skills quickly, vocational training and certifications offer a more direct path into health informatics.

• Diploma of Health Information Management
  This diploma provides training in managing health data and records, making it ideal for those looking to enter health informatics without a full degree.
• Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA)
  The CHIA certification offers specialised training in digital health and informatics, providing professionals with the knowledge to apply health informatics principles in healthcare settings.

Micro-Learning and Online Courses

Online platforms provide flexible learning options for those looking to develop specific skills.

• Introduction to Health Informatics
  This course covers the basics of health informatics, from managing patient data to using technology in healthcare systems.
• Data Analytics for Healthcare
  Learn how to analyse healthcare data to improve patient care and make informed decisions in this focused online course.

On-the-Job Experience or Training

Sometimes, companies hire eager learners and provide training on the job. This way, you learn by doing and get paid at the same time. Plus, it’s a great way to make sure this career is right for you.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, health informatics is booming, especially in Perth’s large healthcare system which is investing in digital health. Health informatics is a growing field, particularly as hospitals and healthcare providers expand their digital systems. Telethon Kids Institute offers roles for Health Informaticians to analyse data and improve child health outcomes. Local health departments and hospitals are also seeking professionals to improve electronic health records and manage patient information.

Australia-Wide

Across Australia, as healthcare continues to digitise, the demand for Health Informaticians is growing in cities and rural areas alike. Whether it’s in government health departments or private tech startups focusing on health, your skills will be in high demand.

Health Informaticians are needed in both the public and private sectors. Major healthcare providers like Telstra Health hire Health Informaticians to develop digital tools and streamline medical services. Government organisations such as the Australian Digital Health Agency offer roles for those working to integrate digital systems into the national healthcare infrastructure.

Global Opportunities

Globally, the demand for Health Informaticians is rising as countries seek to improve healthcare through digital transformation. In the United States, organisations like Mayo Clinic hire professionals to analyse health data and improve patient outcomes. In Europe, companies like Siemens Healthineers offer roles in developing health informatics solutions for hospitals. In Asia, companies such as Alibaba Health are driving digital healthcare innovations, requiring experts in health informatics to manage these advancements.

Countries all over the world are looking for skilled professionals to help manage and use health data effectively. With all these pathways and opportunities, the world of health informatics is exciting and full of possibilities. So, are you ready to start your journey to become a Health Informatician?