Use Technology to Help Deliver Better Health Care
Health care faces significant challenges, notably uncontrolled costs, security issues, patient safety and managing fast growing volumes of data. These challenges have created a demand for professionals who can improve the safety, quality, effectiveness and efficiency of our health care systems. Nova Southeastern University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics prepares you to meet this demand.
Professions in health informatics use computers and technology to manage all aspects of health care data and information. At NSU, you’ll use the same technologies used in the real world to develop your skills. You’ll learn how and why health informatics is a vital part of our health care delivery system and study crucial components of the field including data and information, electronic medical records, ethical and legal issues, privacy and security, differences in health care systems and how to assess health care quality. You’ll also have opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting through an internship. NSU’s B.S. in Health Informatics will give you an edge in propelling your career forward.
Why Should You Major in Health Informatics at NSU?
Become a Leader in a Fast-Growing Profession
Jobs in health informatics are growing at a much faster rate than the average for all other jobs. This is due to rapidly evolving medical technologies and systems. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that “the demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages.” An example of some job outlooks for the date range of 2019 to 2029, in the field of health informatics, include:
- Medical Records and Health information Technicians – 8% growth
- Health Care Database Administrators – 10% growth
- Health Care Computer Systems Analysts – 7% growth
- Health Care Operations Research Analysts – 25% growth
Average Starting Salary
Salaries you can earn with a health informatics degree vary widely because of the many career offerings associated with this degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics some of the average annual salaries (in 2019) of popular jobs include:
- Medical Records and Health Information Technicians – $42,630
- Health Care Database Administrators – $93,700
- Health Care Computer Systems Analysts – $90,920
- Health Care Operations Research Analysts – $84,810
Shark Destinations
With a bachelor’s in health informatics, you have a lot of flexibility in job location. You can find employment in private practice, integrative health clinics, hospitals and other medical settings, as well as educational and government settings. Some of the careers NSU graduates can pursue include medical informatics, nursing informatics, data entry specialist, template writer, project designer, health information technician, systems data analyst and more.
Additionally, NSU’s B.S. in Health Informatics creates a pathway for a number of graduate programs at NSU including the Master of Science in Health Informatics, Master of Science in Public Health, Master of Science in Computer Science and others.
During your undergraduate studies, you’ll have a number of hands-on opportunities to gain real world experience. For example, you can participate in community medical outreach events providing a variety of health care services to local, state and international underserved communities. These interdisciplinary events allow students from multiple majors to work together as a team. Additionally, the Health Informatics Internship I and II requires you to complete a hands-on project in the community. Projects vary and may include health care systems evaluation or implementation.
The Clinic Exploration Program
The Clinic Exploration Program (CEP) offers students the opportunity to shadow medical professionals on the job in many of NSU’s medical and health clinics. Program participants gain a broad perspective that shows how various medical fields work together and a practical, up-close review of several medical career options.
All undergraduate students may take part in CEP, no matter what major they pursue. Each rotation lasts two hours per week, for three weeks. Because this is a volunteer program, member commitments are flexible and voluntary.
Who Can Participate:
- have a 2.5 GPA or higher
- be registered for classes
- complete OSHA and HIPAA trainings
- be curious about various health professions
- conform to scheduled assignments, dress codes, and other professional responsibilities
How to Enroll:
- complete the Clinic Exploration Program Application
- schedule and complete OSHA blood-borne pathogen safety training
- take HIPAA Privacy and Security training
- turn in completed application to program coordinator in Parker building, suite 367
- Students are offered the opportunity to participate in CEP each semester. Registration for the program is open during the previous semester.
- Athletic Training
- Audiology
- Dentistry
- Internal Medicine
- Optometry
- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
- Pediatrics
Reserve your seat in one of NSU’s graduate or professional schools while you earn your bachelor’s degree. With NSU’s Dual Admission program, you don’t have to worry about competing with thousands of other students for a spot in a highly selective graduate program. This Premier Program gives you an opportunity to get a head start on your career, so you can start earning sooner.
Your NSU professors are dedicated to ensuring that you have a great academic experience. They regularly review the curriculum to make updates that give you an edge in today’s ever-changing world. As an NSU Health Informatics major, some courses that you could take include Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Informatics, Bioinformatics, Fundamentals of Computer Programming, Human Computer Interaction and Health Informatics Security.
