Health Informatics Professionals are in High Demand

(ARA) - At a time when many companies are being forced to cut numerous jobs just to survive the economic downtrend, the health care industry is thriving and showing no signs of slowing down. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 of the 20 fastest growing occupations in this country are concentrated in health care services, making it an ideal career field for people who are looking for a growth opportunity and enjoy helping people.

Perhaps the area where the most growth is anticipated is the need for health informatics technicians, a profession which is expected to see an 18 percent increase in the number of jobs available through 2016.

Never heard of health informatics before? Here's what you need to know.

Health informatics is an emerging field of health care in which specialists work in a rapidly expanding scientific field which deals with the storage, retrieval, and optimal use of biomedical information, data and knowledge for problem solving and decision making.

For those who already have a background in IT, health care, or both, earning the credentials they need to move into one of these high-paying high-tech positions is easier than you may think. Nurses, IT technicians, health administrators and associate degree holders from related fields may want to check out the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Informatics offered by Western Governors University (WGU). The degree can be achieved in as little as 2 years without ever setting foot in a classroom.

The non-profit online university was founded by the governors of 19 U.S. states back in 1997 to expand access to higher education for working adults. And unlike at traditional colleges where you have to take a bunch of prerequisites to get the credits needed to complete your degree, advancement at WGU is based on demonstrating essential skills and knowledge -- or competencies -- through carefully designed assessments.

"Competency-based learning may be different than how many people were educated, but it can be a great thing," says Dr. Salvatore Monaco, provost and academic vice president of WGU. "It allows students to achieve goals that would have once been impossible by applying what they already know."

Competency based learning isn't the only benefit of pursuing a degree through WGU. Students are also offered tremendous support. When they first enroll, they are paired up with a dedicated mentor who will help them every step of the way . Mentors will advise students with their adjustment to WGU's unique online education approach, their development and follow-through with their personalized academic action plan, and their progression through their degree program to graduation.

Health informatics is an area of health care where you have the potential to help a lot of people. To learn more about the steps needed to pursue this career, log on to www.wguinfo.edu today, fill out their online form and an enrollment counselor will get in touch with you right away.

Copyright © 2008, ARAnet, Inc.