Health Informatics in Health Information Management: A Growing Opportunity

Healthcare continues to move deeper into the digital world, and with this shift comes the growing importance of health informatics. As electronic health records (EHRs), data dashboards, and health information exchanges (HIEs) become increasingly standard, professionals who manage, protect, and interpret health data are playing a more crucial role than ever.

Health information (HI) professionals have long ensured that health records are accurate, complete, and secure. Now, many of the tools and responsibilities used in health informatics are closely connected to the everyday work of HI professionals. This makes the field of informatics a natural area for growth within the profession.

Health informatics blends clinical knowledge, technology, and data use to improve how care is delivered and measured. It supports everything from documenting care in EHRs to tracking quality performance, managing health data across organizations, and helping teams use data in decision-making. As hospitals and health systems continue to rely on digital tools, the need for professionals with both data knowledge and operational insight continues to grow.

Many HI professionals are already involved in informatics without necessarily labeling it as such. Tasks like reviewing and optimizing documentation templates, analyzing trends in Power BI or Tableau, working with coding systems like ICD-10 or SNOMED CT, or ensuring smooth data exchange through (HIEs) are all part of the informatics landscape. Working with interoperability standards such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) and Health Level 7 (HL7) is another way these professionals often contribute.

The demand for informatics knowledge is increasing quickly. According to Lightcast, a labor market analytics company, job postings mentioning health informatics skills have risen 40 percent  in the last year. New roles are emerging, including EHR analyst, digital health data coordinator, informatics project specialist, and health data quality analyst. Many of these roles build on existing strengths in data quality, privacy, compliance, workflow knowledge, and understanding of clinical systems.

New Health Informatics Microcredential from AHIMA

AHIMA is expanding its offerings to support professionals looking to grow in health informatics. A new health informatics microcredential is expected to be available in fall 2025 and will be designed to build practical, real-world knowledge for those interested in working more closely with health data, technology, and digital systems.

In early 2026, AHIMA will reintroduce the updated Certified Professional in Health Informatics (CPHI) credential. This comprehensive certification reflects the current demands of the health informatics field and provides a pathway for professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers.

To support learners, health informatics preparation opportunities will be available at the AHIMA25 pre-conference workshop, Health Informatics Foundations: A Prep Course for AHIMA's New Health Informatics Microcredential, on Oct. 12 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. CT in Minneapolis with an online course option launching shortly after.

Together, these offerings will help HI professionals build confidence, demonstrate expertise, and lead in today’s data-driven healthcare environment. With resources like the upcoming new health informatics microcredential, certification, and educational opportunities, AHIMA continues to deliver on its promise to advance the profession and support every HI professional’s journey. Your future in health information starts here, at your professional home.

Trayanna Whiting, MSN, MS, RN, NI-BC, CHDA, is the Director of Education for Data Analytics & Informatics at AHIMA