Director of Nursing Informatics

The role of a Director of Nursing Informatics involves coordinating, assessing and evaluating the entry, retrieval, analysis and accuracy of information used in and for patient care. This may include understanding and teaching about Electronic Medical Records and other programs used by both medical and non-medical staff for data entry and coordination.

• The Director of Nursing Informatics must have excellent computer and communication skills to be able to troubleshoot and problem solve problems or issues that may be inhibiting the flow of information between the various sources. The director of nursing informatics must also be very familiar with all aspects of nursing and should have several years experience as a nurse within a hospital or health care facility.
• The Director of Nursing Informatics often has a consultant role in the development and implementation of new informatics programs within the hospital or healthcare facility. This role is a leadership position and requires the director of nursing informatics to work with many different groups within the facility. He or she will also be required to report this information to managers or outside vendors to address modifications or changes required to the informatics system to make it as efficient and effective as possible.
• As the Director of Nursing Informatics the individual may be required to work varying hours depending on the facility that they work in. Many Directors of Nursing Informatics work evening, weekend and holiday shifts, especially in very large hospitals and treatment centers. Usually this shift work is compensated over and above the standard rate of pay unless it is part of the terms of employment.

Career Requirements

• A Director of Nursing Informatics is required to have a RN standing with either a BSN or masters degree. He or she must also have a certification in informatics or have strong background experience in nursing informatics. In addition most positions for Director of Nursing Informatics require three to five years experience in nursing, preferably in a setting similar to the one that he or she is applying for.
• Experience with the various medical informatics or electronic medical record software including Cerner, Epic, GE, Meditech, McKesson or Siemens, IDX and PICIS is highly desirable. Knowledge of basic programs such as Excel, Access and Outlook is expected.