Careers You Can Pursue With a Healthcare Analytics Degree

The healthcare industry is transforming into a data-driven field in which administrators and providers alike are looking to leverage the power of data to improve operations at their facilities. Those who want to blend their passion for high-quality healthcare services with their data analysis skills may find that the top healthcare analytics jobs are perfect for them.

What Is Healthcare Analytics?

Healthcare analytics is the process of applying both quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques to harvest and analyze healthcare data. Research indicates that healthcare analytics support evidence-based care in healthcare settings and enhance decision-making abilities in clinical settings.

Who Hires Healthcare Analytics Graduates?

Graduates with a master's degree in healthcare analytics will find that their niche, industry-specific skills are in high demand in a variety of settings, with many graduates finding healthcare analytics jobs in:

• Hospitals and health systems
• Insurance companies and payers
• Pharmaceutical and biotech companies
• Public health organizations and government agencies
• Digital health startups and health-tech vendors
• Consulting firms specializing in healthcare analytics

Healthcare Analytics Skills Employers Want

The demand for skilled and intuitive data scientists is expected to rise in the coming years, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noting that employment levels in the field of data science are anticipated to climb by more than 34 percent between 2024 and 2034.

The following includes the most in-demand healthcare analytics skills:

Data and Analytics

Healthcare analytics professionals need a strong foundation in data science. Understanding the leading data collection and analysis techniques is required for any healthcare analytics position.

Healthcare Domain Expertise

Healthcare analytics is a specialty area within the field of data science, requiring professionals to have a vast understanding of the evolving healthcare landscape.

Technology Skills

Across all healthcare analytics positions, professionals are required to have adept technology skills that enable them to easily navigate complex and advanced platforms. Those who pursue healthcare analytics careers will frequently work with electronic health records, wearable healthcare devices, diagnostic and imaging results, and pharmaceutical data.

Data Storytelling and Communication

In addition to harvesting data with precision and analyzing the results, healthcare analytics professionals must have the communication skills required to glean insights from that data and share it with other healthcare professionals, such as administrators and providers.

Regulatory Compliance Knowledge

In the healthcare analytics field, professionals must have extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance both in the data science field and the healthcare sector.

Project Management Skills

The leading project management skills, such as operational planning and budgeting, are required in the healthcare analytics field as well, as professionals are often charged with developing and implementing healthcare analytics initiatives in clinical settings.

Top Careers You Can Pursue With a Healthcare Analytics Degree

The broad scope of the data science field and the increased demand for healthcare analytics experts means that there are a wide range of healthcare analytics careers to explore.

Some of the top careers that you can pursue with a healthcare analytics degree include:

Clinical and Operational Analytics

Those who want to work in clinical settings to maximize operational efficiency and have a direct impact on patient outcomes may be interested in clinical and operational analytics. Job opportunities within this specialty area include:

• Healthcare Data Analyst
• Clinical Data Analyst
• Hospital Operations Analyst

Population Health and Value-Based Care

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that population health is an interdisciplinary approach that bridges the gap between healthcare practice and policy, aiming to improve the health of a specific population. Some healthcare analytics roles in this area include:

• Population Health Analyst
• Value-Based Care Analyst
• Risk Adjustment Analyst

Quality and Patient Safety

There are an increasing number of healthcare analytics roles that focus on improving quality of care and patient safety in clinical settings, allowing healthcare analytics graduates to consider positions such as:

• Quality Measurement Analyst
• Patient Safety Data Analyst
• Performance Improvement Analyst

Revenue Cycle and Financial Analytics

As healthcare organizations seek to streamline operations and improve their financial health, administrators are turning to healthcare analytics professionals for help. Some healthcare analytics jobs in this area include:

• Revenue Cycle Analyst
• Healthcare Financial Data Analyst
• Cost and Utilization Analyst

Public Health and Epidemiology

Data analytics is playing a growing role in public health, as public health experts work to tailor public health initiatives to community needs. Some healthcare analytics careers in public health and epidemiology include:

• Public Health Analyst
• Epidemiology Analyst
• Community Health Data Specialist

Life Sciences and Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are clinical research studies that are used to develop new healthcare treatments or identify preventative care strategies. Healthcare analysts may be qualified to pursue positions in this field, such as:

• Biostatistician
• Clinical Trials Data Analyst
• Real-World Evidence Analyst

Healthcare Data Science and Machine Learning

Machine learning is set to have a significant impact on the field of healthcare analytics, with professionals who want to specialize in this branch of AI technology being able to consider a variety of jobs, such as:

• Healthcare Data Scientist
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Predictive Modeling Analyst

Business Intelligence and Data Engineering

With an emphasis on improving operational efficiency and developing business strategy for healthcare organizations, business intelligence and data engineering is expected to play a growing role in the healthcare field. Healthcare analytics careers in this area include:

• Healthcare BI Analyst
• Analytics Engineer
• Healthcare Data Engineer

Healthcare Consulting and Strategy

Healthcare consulting and strategy development provides healthcare analytics professionals with an independent and autonomous career path. Career opportunities in this area include:

• Healthcare Analytics Consultant
• Performance Improvement Specialist
• Provider Strategy Analyst

Leadership Roles You Can Grow Into

As you seek to grow and advance your healthcare analytics career, these are some leadership opportunities that you may be able to consider:

Analytics Manager

An analytics manager is responsible for overseeing a team of data science professionals who collect and analyze data. In the healthcare field, this is a leadership position that plays a pivotal role in shaping the analytics strategy for the organization.

Director of Healthcare Analytics

A healthcare analytics director is a senior leadership position in the field. Individuals in this role are responsible for creating a healthcare analytics strategy that will improve evidence-based decision-making within the organization.

Vice President of Data Strategy

Responsible for overseeing the long-term data strategy for an organization, the vice president of data strategy often works to optimize processes and monitor emerging trends in the healthcare analytics field.

Chief Analytics Officer (CAO)

The Chief Analytics Officer (CAO) is an executive professional who specializes in healthcare analytics and is responsible for overseeing data analysis at all levels of a healthcare facility or organization.

Chief Data Officer (CDO)

The Chief Data Officer (CDO) is an executive professional who specializes in healthcare analytics and is responsible for overseeing data collection efforts within a healthcare facility. The CDO is responsible for ensuring that the healthcare organizations maximize the value of all data collection and analysis efforts.

Tools and Platforms You’ll Need to Know

The leading tools and platforms that healthcare analytics professionals need to be proficient in include:

• Data Analysis: SQL, Python, R
• Visualization: Tableau, Power BI
• Data Management: Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift
• Healthcare Systems: Epic, Cerner, Meditech
• Standards: HL7, FHIR, ICD-10, CPT

Education Needed for a Career in Healthcare Analytics

Healthcare analytics is a specialized branch of data science, which requires more professionals to have a bachelor's degree to pursue entry-level positions. Some data science jobs require candidates to have a graduate degree, due to the evolving landscape of the field. An online Master of Science in Healthcare Analytics can help healthcare analytics professionals advance their data analysis skills while developing a strong foundation in the evolving healthcare field. Graduates of this program are uniquely situated to develop innovative, data-driven initiatives that can optimize healthcare operations and advance the industry through data-driven insights.

Prepare for the Leading Healthcare Analytics Careers at Champlain College Online

As the healthcare field becomes more reliant on data science and advanced technology to streamline operations, increase staffing levels, and improve patient outcomes, there is expected to be an influx of healthcare analytics jobs. The Online Master of Science in Healthcare Analytics degree at Champlain College Online focuses on the fundamental principles of healthcare database management, equipping students with the practical and technical skills required to apply advanced analytical techniques in healthcare settings. Graduates from this program are prepared to pursue many of the leading healthcare analytics jobs.

Request more information about our online graduate degree programs today.