Health Information Technology Specialist

Health information technology specialists (HIT specialists) work with healthcare-related software and information technology (IT) which is designed to capture, manage and display health-related records, databases and information. Health information applications not only have the potential to improve the level of care that hospitals and clinics can provide, but also may contribute to reducing administrative costs and providing documentation that is sometimes needed in legal cases.

In general, HIT specialists perform the following duties:

• define health information technology requirements
• liaise with clients and stakeholders to ensure that the software or IT solutions they are working with or procuring meet the requirements of their users
• assist in the acquisition of software or IT systems
• participate in development, customization and testing of software or IT
• implement or install software or IT solutions
• maintain software or IT systems
• assist clients or coworkers with their use of software or IT systems
• assist in the development of education and training procedures
• provide training and advice to senior hospital management, physicians and other healthcare workers
• provide and prepare information to assist in sound decision-making.

Examples of the software or IT systems that HIT specialists work with include:

• communication protocols for the secure transmission of healthcare data
• electronic patient record systems (regionally, provincially, territorially, or nationally)
• clinical and administrative decision support systems
• classification systems using standardized terminology and coding
• case management systems
• access and referral systems for healthcare services
• patient monitoring systems
• digital imaging and image processing systems
• telehealth technologies to facilitate and support remote diagnosis and treatment
• internet and mobile technologies for engaging and assisting patients in their own care
• public health surveillance and protection systems
• methodologies and applications for data analysis, management and mining
• clinical and administrative data warehouses and reporting systems
• performance management systems
• business, financial, administration support and logistics systems.

HIT specialists often work closely with Health Information Management Professionals and system developers (see the Computer Programmer occupational profile).

Health information technology specialists work primarily in office settings and spend the majority of their time working with computers. They may also work in and around hospitals or clinics, and may be exposed to the fast pace and increased stress levels of these environments. Given the trend towards shared Information Services Departments between healthcare facilities, travel is sometimes required.

Health information technology specialists need the following personal characteristics:

• creativity
• analytical thinking and problem solving
• the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• the ability to keep track of and prioritize multiple competing demands
• strong verbal and written communication skills
• the ability to constructively manage stress and maintain poise
• strong client-orientation.

They should enjoy finding ways to answer questions and solve problems for clients and stakeholders.

Emerging occupations typically are the result of:

• an increased human need (for example, alternate sources of energy)
• technological advances
• greater specialization within an occupation.

Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, it can be difficult to define advancement opportunities or employment outlook. Some Albertans already are working in this emerging occupation but future demand for health information technology specialists is unknown.

Many HIT specialists work as consultants to hospitals or to individual physicians and their staffs, and are employed by large consulting firms. Others work in Information Services Departments in public or private healthcare institutions, including hospitals, clinics and care homes.

In Alberta, HIT specialists are part of two larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications: 1122 Professional occupations in business services to management and 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants.

75% of people employed in the Professional occupations in business services to management group work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Wholesale Trade (PDF)
• Transportation and Warehousing (PDF)

76% of people employed in the Information systems analysts and consultants group work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)
• Educational Services (PDF)
• Wholesale Trade (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors, including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

COACH: Canada's Health Informatics Association website: www.coachorg.com

National Institutes of Health Informatics (NIHI): www.nihi.ca

Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) website: www.echima.ca

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca

Alberta Network for Health Information eXchange website: www.anhix.com

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) website: www.servicealberta.ca/foip

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.