An informatics specialist is someone who has knowledge and experience in both informatics and another field. These areas, when combined, assist the individual in performing computer-related tasks as well as the jobs they must perform in specific industries. The tasks that a computer must perform when analyzing sales, for example, will be vastly different from those that a computer will be asked to perform when conducting scientific research. An informatics expert will be aware of these differences and will adjust his or her programming accordingly. This specialist may also work in the medical, business, or financial services fields in addition to these.
To become an informatics specialist, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree in informatics. Many colleges offer such degrees, so it is up to the individual to select the best school for them. A minor, or even a double major, in order to truly specialize in a field, may be the best option. Others may discover that they can become specialists simply by obtaining internships in specific fields and focusing their studies on that field.
In the medical field, an informatics specialist may deal with everything from drug databases to patient information. Health care informatics specialists will become more in demand as the medical community continues to transition from paper to electronic records. Given the focus on electronic records, this could be a very high-demand field for many years to come.
In the financial services industry, an informatics specialist may be in charge of keeping track of data and updating websites in real time. In the world of stock and commodity trading, this is especially important. It is frequently necessary to have up-to-date information. As a result, an informatics specialist may write code to improve the reliability of streaming updates or work to resolve technical issues when those streams do go down.
Business people may be interested in how computer technology can help the company achieve its goals, which is a hallmark of business informatics. This could include things like tracking sales, calculating productivity, and other important metrics. Packaged programs may not be able to effectively manage all aspects of a business depending on its complexity. That’s where custom software and professional management can really help.
Some informatics professionals may also work in the sales field. These individuals can explain how informatics can benefit their businesses to others. Salespeople frequently work for small businesses that want to contract for services from companies that aren’t in the information technology industry. Because they lack the time or expertise to fine-tune their own IT hardware and software, these businesses may find such a situation lucrative.