infoTECH Feature

August 18, 2011

Healthcare Companies Providing Job Opportunities to IT Pros

IT professionals looking for work could find a receptive environment at healthcare companies, according to a new study by IT research firm Computer Economics.

The study “IT Spending and Staffing Benchmarks 2011/2012,” found healthcare providers the most likely candidates for job openings. Specifically, the survey of more than 200 IT organizations in the U.S. and Canada discovered that 61 percent of healthcare companies plan to boost their IT headcount this year, well above the rate for other types of industries. IT headcount in the healthcare sector is rising by 3.6 percent, while other sectors remain flat.

The hospitable job environment in healthcare is the result of the move to electronic medical records, a certain invulnerability to the down economy, and new government policies, according to John Longwell, vice president of research for Computer Economics.

Only 17 percent of the healthcare companies polled are looking to cut staff. Healthcare providers are also spending more money on operations than on capital. Overall, IT operational budgets are growing by 3.1 percent, compared with 2 percent for all other sectors.

To compile its results, Computer Economics polled more than 200 IT executives in both the public and private sectors during the first quarter of 2011.

IT workers interested in pursuing opportunities in healthcare can find openings through such Web sites as HealthcareITCentral.com and Med IT Jobs and even a Twitter (News - Alert) feed called Healthcare IT Jobs. Job seekers can also get some advice about the field at About.com.

Though the healthcare industry is a promising area for jobs, IT professionals may find it more challenging than the typical corporate environment, says a recent article in Network World. As with any specialized sector, the available jobs require specific qualifications and experience, and many IT pros without the necessary background and knowledge might need to take classes to obtain the right skills.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.



Lance Whitney is a journalist, IT consultant, and Web Developer with almost 20 years of experience in the IT world. To read more of Lance's articles, please visit his columnist page

Edited by Jennifer Russell
FOLLOW US

Subscribe to InfoTECH Spotlight eNews

InfoTECH Spotlight eNews delivers the latest news impacting technology in the IT industry each week. Sign up to receive FREE breaking news today!
FREE eNewsletter

infoTECH Whitepapers