A Thriving Industry: Healthcare IT

By Christina Dusenberry, Senior Executive at the Staten Island Workforce1 Career Center

The digital age has significantly impacted the healthcare industry and how patient information is managed.  Not only is the healthcare industry subject to the same march of progress that affects us all, but federal regulations have also mandated that healthcare providers move from paper files to “Electronic Health Records” (or EHRs). Through this evolution, new occupational opportunities have emerged. 

Health IT (HIT) jobs are expected to increase approximately by 20% between 2010 and 2020.  Healthcare providers are looking for staff to help them meet the federal regulations for EHRs and other technology.  They need staff with knowledge of the different systems used within the healthcare industry, how those systems communicate with one another, and how to properly manage the network efficiently. 

Healthcare IT is becoming an ideal industry for career growth and security.  One common job opportunity is: Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

• An Associates RHIT graduate at entry-level can expect to make approximately $25,000 to $35,000 annually, while an entry-level candidate with a Bachelor’s can expect to make anywhere from $35, 000 to $50,000.  The median salary in New York, NY is $40,000 annually according to PayScale.com.  The average salary for an RHIT or HIT professional with 5 years experience is $50,000 to $70,000 annually.

There are also a wide range of other specialties within the sector, including:

• Trained System and Network Engineers
• Database Administrators
• Help Desk Analysts
• Desktop Technicians
• IT Supervisors
• Software/Hardware/Network Architects

Professionals with IT – or healthcare – experience may be able to break into the industry by earning a certification or attending a training or educational program. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) created the Community College Consortia to Educate Health IT Professionals in Health Care Program to help meet employer demand for HIT workers.  If you are interested in learning more about training or education required to work in HIT, this is a great website to visit. You can also check out Jenny Tsang-Quinn’s June blog entry describing more or the roles and responsibilities of people working in HIT.

Are you looking for a job in the Healthcare industry?  You can search for jobs online, or visit the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center or the Staten Island Workforce1 Career Center.  

Christina Dusenberry is a Senior Executive of the Staten Island Workforce1 Career Center.If you have a question or comment for Christina, please drop her a note in the comment section below. And, don’t forget to share this post with your network via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, or your favorite networking site.