I am a Pharmacist
I am a pharmacist.
“After 10 years as a retail pharmacist, I needed a change. So I decided to get my degree in Health Informatics and pursue a career pharmacy technology. I am now in a new department that works with our retail stores and pharmaceutical companies to develop new computer-based patient counseling programs for retail pharmacists to improve medication adherence – AND with a $35,000 pay increase! I plan to grow along with the department as we think of new ways to incorporate technology to improve patient health. Who knows what is next? The possibilities are truly endless!”
The Health IT field needs pharmacists.
As the health care IT field continues to experience an explosion of growth, health care providers have invested substantial financial resources in information technology (IT) initiatives including advanced clinical systems, electronic health records and systems to address patient safety and quality. This growth has impacted the pharmaceutical industry as well, as most retail and clinical pharmacies have computer systems for prescription management and billing, while also providing computerized education to patients and tracking medical compliance. Because of your background as a pharmacist, you are the ideal candidate for the unique jobs being created to fill this critical need in the health care sector. Through your experience, you are sensitive to the concerns of the pharmacist and would better understand how a new technology could be used to address them.
As a talented and experienced pharmacist, there are numerous unique career paths available to you in the health care industry. The Health Informatics program at the University of Illinois at Chicago can prepare you to pursue any of those career opportunities and implement information systems that enhance the quality of care provided throughout the health system.
Choose the path that’s right for you.
If you currently hold at least a bachelor’s in pharmacy, our Master of Health Informatics can equip you to lead the planning, implementation, and optimization of health information systems for major health and pharmaceutical organizations. This 14 course master’s degree program is designed to groom the leaders in the transformation of health care information technology.
If you are a PharmD, our Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Informatics has the potential to signify that you are highly proficient in the creation, operation and optimization of health information systems. This seven course graduate-level certificate program is perfect for pharmacists and those who already hold a PharmD.
Discover how to develop your skills. Find your niche.
Some pharmacists have chosen to pursue a role such as director of pharmaceutical informatics with a large pharmaceutical company, while others have decided to take on implementation manager and other leadership positions with health care providers, health IT vendors, or consulting firms. Whichever path you choose, UIC’s objective is to help you find your way into a fulfilling career doing what you love – providing quality care to the patients you serve.
