The emergence of data as a key component in healthcare continues to drive growth in the field, as well as the need for skilled people to oversee analytics operations.
And that need is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
According to a report by Grand View Research, Inc., the global digital health market size is expected to reach $809.2 billion by 2030. Mandates from the federal government for utilizing electronic healthcare records, as well as the continued need to reduce healthcare costs are contributing factors. Advances in analytics and methodologies for using big data also are spurring the growth.
Getting to a position as director of a healthcare analytics department or team requires expert-level skills and knowledge.
Job Duties for Healthcare Analytics Directors
Healthcare analytics are designed to make patient information available to all medical personal, allow it to be shared across different digital platforms, improve services and ultimately help create better health outcomes for patients.
In addition to healthcare providers, analytics directors also are needed at health insurance companies, analytics consulting firms and government agencies that deal with population health.
In all these cases, analytics directors work with executives to set objectives and map out a strategy to reach the organization’s goals. This requires great communication skills, especially when putting together reports that clearly explain findings from data for those who don’t typically work with data.
Job Growth and Salary
As noted above, growth in the analytics field is expected to explode in the coming years.
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer numbers specifically for healthcare analytics directors, they do include medical and health services managers.
Employees in these positions earned an average salary of $104,830 in May 2022, according to the BLS. The top 10% earned more than $209,990. The BLS projects 28% growth in the medical and health services manager category through 2032.
Education and Skills
Healthcare analytics directors need expert skills in data collection, interpretation and storage, as well as great organizational and communication skills.
They also require business and leadership skills. Acquiring a job in the field typically takes a bachelor’s degree in analytics or data science. To earn a higher level position, many employers want directors to also have a master’s degree in health informatics or healthcare analytics.
The future in this area is wide open. As more healthcare-related businesses incorporate big data into their everyday operations and decision-making process, the demand for those with health informatics degrees is expected to grow.
*National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.
