Healthcare IT News (02/09/12) Bernie Monegain

A recent brief from eHealth Initiative concludes more health information technology job opportunities are available than qualified people to fill them. “Given the prevailing air of economic uncertainty in the U.S. and the unprecedented level of support for health information technology from the federal government, growth in health information systems may represent an untapped market for both job creation and market savings,” the brief states.

The issue brief notes there are large numbers of new job opportunities available at organizations focused on exchanging health care data. A large number of health information exchange initiatives are facing a shortage of staff with IT experience, with more than 25% of respondents reporting that they are short on staff with IT experience. Clinical software implementation and support (which includes jobs such as project managers, analysts, application coordinators, report writers, trainers, informatics staff, and technical writers) are identified as the skill sets most in demand.