Health Information Technology Specialist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

This occupation has not yet received an official NOC code. However, it is considered similar to the following historical NOC codes. CAUTION—As this occupation is only similar to these NOC codes, related details and labour market information may not be accurate:

• 2006 NOC: Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (1122);  Information Systems Analysts and Consultants (2171) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (B022);  Information Systems Analysts and Consultants (C071) 
• 2011 NOC: Professional occupations in business management consulting (1122);  Information systems analysts and consultants (2171) 
• 2016 NOC: Professional occupations in business management consulting (1122);  Information systems analysts and consultants (2171) 

Health information technology (HIT) specialists work with health care-related software and information technology (IT). This technology is designed to capture, manage, and display health-related records, databases, and information.

Health information applications can improve the level of care hospitals and clinics provide. They can also reduce administrative costs and provide records that may be needed in legal cases.

In general, HIT specialists perform the following duties:

• help address IT requirements in the health care sector
• provide clinical subject matter expertise throughout the design, planning, and roll-out phases of new and updated technologies
• make sure software or IT solutions meet user needs
• help acquire software or IT systems
• work with stakeholders to identify, understand, and document required concepts and clinical care processes
• develop, customize and test software or IT
• use or install software or IT solutions and help clients or co-workers do the same
• maintain software or IT systems
• respond to requests for patient information and affidavits
• maintain privacy and confidentiality of patient information
• administer the health information system database
• help develop education and training procedures
• advise and train senior hospital management, physicians, and other health care workers
• provide information to assist in sound decision making
• follow standards (such as HL7 and DICOM) to ensure electronic health information systems are compatible.

HIT specialists use software or IT systems such as:

• communication protocols for the secure transmission of health care 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 health care services
• patient monitoring systems
• digital imaging and image processing systems
• Internet and mobile technologies to engage and assist patients in their own care
• telehealth technologies to support remote diagnosis and treatment
• public health surveillance and protection systems
• methodologies and apps for data analysis, management, and mining
• clinical and administrative data warehouse 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 mainly in office settings. They spend most of their time working with computers. Hospitals and clinics tend to operate at a fast pace. Those working in and around hospitals or clinics may feel the increased stress levels of these settings. With shared information services departments between health care facilities, travel may be required.

Many health information technology specialists work in large consulting firms. They provide services to hospitals and individual physicians and their staff. Others work in information services in public or private health care institutions. These include hospitals, clinics and care homes.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 1122: Professional occupations in business management consulting* occupational group, 78.4% of people work in:

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Public Administration
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, and Leasing
• Information, Culture, and Recreation
• Management, Administrative, and Other Support

In the 2171: Information systems analysts and consultants* occupational group, 79.9% of people work in:

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Public Administration
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Educational Services
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, and Leasing
• Information, Culture, and Recreation
• Health Care and Social Services

*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Information Technology Specialist occupation.

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment

Explore emerging workplace trends in Alberta that could affect this occupation.

In Alberta, the 1122: Professional occupations in business management consulting* occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 308 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

In Alberta, the 2171: Information systems analysts and consultants* occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 366 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Information Technology Specialist occupation.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

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

Digital Health Canada website: www.digitalhealthcanada.com

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

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

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

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.