Online postings for health care informatics jobs are growing at a faster rate than postings for several other types of jobs, according to a new report by labor market analytics firm Burning Glass, CMIO reports (Byers, CMIO, 6/6).
The report — titled, “A Growing Jobs Sector: Health Informatics” — was prepared for Credentials that Work, an initiative that helps universities align their program offerings with high-demand jobs.
Report Findings
The report found that between 2007 and 2011, job postings for health care informatics positions increased by 36%. During the same timeframe, postings for all health care jobs increased by 9% and postings for all jobs increased by 6%.
Informatics positions currently represent the eighth-largest category of health care jobs, the report found (Hall, FierceHealthIT, 6/4). It also noted that jobs related to clinical documentation and analysis represent the fastest growing segment of health care informatics positions.
Possible Reasons for Job Growth
According to the report, changes in health care policies and payment methods have fueled a need for more health care informatics workers.
The report noted that health care informatics jobs are becoming “increasingly integrated into the management of clinical care,” adding that “these positions have become more skilled, with entry-level jobs upgraded, lower-skilled positions shrinking and greater clinical knowledge required for higher-level jobs” (CMIO, 6/6).
