In the first three quarters of 2023, 240,000 tech sector employees were laid off. High-profile companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta cut thousands of jobs in the past year.
Though tech jobs are increasingly scarce, some sectors are still looking to hire qualified developers, IT specialists and data scientists. Both the government and the health care industry are actively recruiting IT workers. The medical sector is especially promising, with new tech opportunities in health care arising from the increasing use of digital systems.
Here are eight computer science-related jobs becoming increasingly important in health care. These may bring new career opportunities to graduates and experienced professionals alike.
Health Information Technologist
Health information technologists work at the intersection of health care and IT. In this field, you usually work on selecting and implementing systems to record and secure electronic health records (EHR) or collect and analyze patient data.
As a health information technologist, your responsibilities go beyond ensuring software and systems function for patient care and medical record keeping. You may also be responsible for training non-technical staff to use these applications.
You typically start on this career path with a health information technology associate or bachelor’s degree. However, you might also study computer science or IT and learn the health care aspect of the job once you find employment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for this career was $58,250 in May 2022. The future looks promising in this specialty, with the demand for qualified technologists expected to rise by 16% by 2032.
Health Care Data Scientist
Health care data scientists analyze information to gain insights about medical trends, disease progression, patient outcomes and other subjects important for improving medical care.
This job involves designing studies to ensure they include pertinent information. You’ll write and test algorithms and computer models to automate aspects of the data collection and analysis processes. Also, data scientists visualize information to share with health care providers, administrators and policymakers.
You can start on this career path with a bachelor’s or master’s in data science, computer science, math, statistics or a related field.
Data science jobs can be lucrative—the median salary was $103,500 in May 2022. Data scientists are also in high demand. The BLS predicts 35% growth between 2022 and 2032.
Health Informatics Director
Health informatics directors focus on the systems and processes for storing, accessing and transmitting information. They ensure EHR systems are accessible and useful for providers, medical coders, researchers, analysts and anyone else who requires access.
A health informatics director makes decisions about how to deploy applications and streamline data collection as well as workflows for efficiency. In this job, you’re also responsible for ensuring compliance with privacy laws, such as the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Health informatics, IT or computer science undergraduate degrees can prepare you for an entry-level role in informatics. Since a director is a senior role, you may need to pursue a master’s in health informatics. These programs teach necessary topics like compliance, programming, leadership skills and revenue cycles specific to health care. You can sign up for a master’s program and seek financial aid after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
The median pay for medical and health services managers was $104,830 in May 2022, and the field is set to expand by 28% by 2032.
Clinical Systems Analyst
Clinical systems analysts play a pivotal role in selecting, upgrading, configuring and testing health care IT systems. As an analyst, you work with clinical staff to define their needs. Then, you source, develop or configure systems to meet those needs.
Systems analysts work with EHR systems, diagnostic programs, IoT networks, and other IT elements in a clinic, hospital, or other medical setting. The job can also involve training IT staff or end users on how to utilize software, applications or embedded systems.
Systems analysts usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or a field related to health care. This job requires technical skills, so people without a computer science or IT background may need additional training.
Clinical systems analysts are well-paid—their median salary was $102,240 in May 2022. Demand for these analysts should grow by 10% in the next decade.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts are essential for modern health care facilities. Not only do they keep information safe and systems online, but they also ensure compliance with privacy protection regulations, like those outlined in HIPAA.
This career requires continuously assessing systems, networks, and hardware for vulnerabilities and deploying countermeasures to strengthen cyber defenses. You also need to keep up to date with the latest hacking trends and incorporate defenses for them into your cybersecurity strategy.
You can prepare for this career with a degree in computer science or IT. If you have a different degree, consider professional certification. Accreditations like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are widely accepted in the cybersecurity sector.
Information security analysts are well-compensated. They earned a median salary of $112,000 in May 2022. The BLS forecasts 32% growth in this profession between 2022 and 2032 as cybersecurity continues to be an issue for increasingly digitized organizations.
Medical Records Specialist
Medical records specialists organize and maintain patient data for record-keeping and insurance billing. This job involves assigning medical codes, such as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), to diagnoses and treatments.
As a medical records specialist, you also ensure the security and privacy of data and manage transmission to relevant parties, such as insurance companies. You work in an office setting at a medical facility or an offsite location.
This job requires a high school diploma or post-secondary certificate. You can learn the necessary skills through on-the-job training. You could also pursue certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), which offers accreditations such as Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
The median salary for medical records specialists was $47,180 in May 2022. The profession should expand by 8% by 2032, so there will be new opportunities for qualified specialists.
Medical Software Engineer
Medical software engineers work on digital and IT tools for medical operations. The projects can include developing EHR platforms, building medical imaging software, creating telehealth systems, and making databases to organize patient data from wearable devices.
Medical software engineers follow the same principles as other development professionals, designing, testing, and debugging applications and software and making updates as necessary. You’ll work closely with medical experts to ensure software meets clinical needs.
This career path starts with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related subject, or equivalent experience.
According to the BLS, software engineering and development careers are lucrative. The median salary for software developers was $127,260 in May 2022. Opportunities are increasing for qualified engineers, with 26% growth expected in the field between 2022 and 2032.
Health Care Business Analyst
Health care business analysts focus on the financial and operational aspects of healthcare facilities. In this position, you ensure a hospital, clinic or other health care operation has the equipment and personnel it needs and has adequate funding.
Business analysts study operational data and use software to create reports on their findings. You typically present your findings to decision-makers, who use them to adopt strategies and policies.
This career requires a degree in business, data analytics or health care administration. Some employers may seek applicants with a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Business analysts earned a median salary of $95,290 in May 2022. The BLS also forecasts 10% growth in this field by 2032 as health care facilities increasingly rely on data to make operational decisions.
With the right education and experience, you can take advantage of the growing list of computer science-related opportunities in the health care industry.