Careers in health informatics

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Paura

Careers in health informatics explains how information and technology enable better patient care across the NHS and wider UK healthcare organisations. It highlights the role of health informatics professionals in managing, interpreting and sharing information through hospitals and community services, and in supporting clinical and non-clinical teams. The guide aligns job opportunities with NHS values and the 6Cs of compassionate care, and outlines common pathways, roles at a glance, FAQs and next steps for entering and progressing in the field.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time14 min

AccessFree to download

Your career in health informatics

Health informatics roles at a glance

Getting started in healthcare informatics

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which role is right for you?

Next steps and progressing your career

Health Education England Careers in health informatics Caring, compassionate, committed Make a difference with a career in health Welcome A career for you There are more than 350 roles in health, and many of them are part of a wider team which works alongside other health professionals for the benefit of patients and the public. As well as the NHS itself, a great many large and smaller organisations provide healthcare and work to prevent ill health in the UK. These include public and private sector organisations, community interest companies, social enterprises and charities, and you could work for the NHS or any one of these other organisations in a health role. Some roles give you direct contact with patients, while in others you are part of a vast support network vital to delivering healthcare and preventing ill health, and good team-working is essential. Some jobs are in hospitals, others are based in the community: increasingly, health and social care services are integrated or co-ordinated in order to provide a seamless service for people with a range of needs. We actively recruit people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience, including people who have worked in other sectors or who bring life experience from outside the world of work. This helps us to understand the different needs of patients, families and carers, and to provide the best possible service every day. NHS values and the 6Cs of compassionate care To apply for any job in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, or for a course with clinical placements in the NHS, you’ll need to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution would apply in your everyday work. The NHS Constitution values are: Working together for patients Respect and dignity Commitment to quality of care Compassion Improving lives Everyone counts These values may also be promoted asthe 6Cs of compassionate care, which are: Care Compassion Competence Communication Courage Commitment Find out more about the NHS Constitution and the 6Cs at: [www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/](www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/)[ ](www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/)nhsconstitution [www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/6Cs](www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/6Cs) Contents Your career in health informatics .......................................... 4 Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ....................................... 5 Which role is right for you? ................................................... 6 Health informatics roles at a glance ..................................... 8 i Clinical informatics .................................................................. 8 ii Education and training .............................................................. 10 iii Health records and patient administration .................................. 12 iv Information and communication technology (ICT) ...................... 14 v Information management .......................................................... 16 vi Libraries and knowledge management ...................................... 18 vii Project and programme management ........................................ 20 Real-life stories ...................................................................... 21 Getting started in healthcare informatics ............................. 28 Next steps and progressing your career ............................... 32 Benefits of working in the NHS ............................................ 36 Example career routes ....................................................... 38 Careers in health informatics 3 Your career in health informatics Health informatics is the intelligent use of information and technology to provide better care. It’s one of the fastest growing areas in health. Whatever your academic background, you can find a role that’s right for you. Every day in the health sector, information has to be collected, managed, used and

FAQs

What is health informatics?

Health informatics is an umbrella term for NHS staff who collect, manage, interpret and present patient and healthcare information. It can also include managing computer, telephony and communication systems.

How can I start a career in health informatics, and what qualifications do I need?

Some posts require few academic qualifications, while others may need postgraduate qualifications or professional membership. The guide points to different roles and entry routes within health informatics.

How can a background in IT help me get a job in the health sector?

Many IT-related skills gained outside healthcare, such as website development, can transfer into health informatics roles. The document directs readers to further information via the health careers site.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Paura