Technology is booming and so is the healthcare industry. Specializing in healthcare information technology is looking like a smart career move. Here's why:
Technology is now the backbone of healthcare.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 15 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. This can be attributed to the aging population and their increased need for medical tests and treatments. Consider this: There are more than 300 million Americans in the country, with one birth happening every eight seconds. As a result, the healthcare industry is always going to be a necessity. Hospitals and physicians practices will need information technology staff members to manage the equipment and software that they provide to their patients.
Technology plays a central role in helping to contain costs, improve access and save lives.
Pick any town, city, county, state—everywhere you turn, there's a healthcare facility. There are thousands of hospitals in the U.S., and working in healthcare information technology means possible career opportunities in a wide variety of areas.
If you want a warmer climate, you may find an opportunity at a hospital in Hawaii or California. But if a smaller, quieter practice interests you, maybe you'll find a position with a provider in a suburban region such as Massachusetts or North Carolina. But you're not limited to hospitals and physicians offices. A career in healthcare IT can open the door for opportunities at universities, pharmacies and health insurance companies.
Above all else, you're given the chance to give back and help people who really need it. Whether you're working directly with physicians on EHRs or licensed pharmacists on e-prescribing, you can make a difference in someone's life every single day.
Originally posted: August 21, 2015
Last updated: June 12, 2017