Entry requirements (clinical informatics)

Clinical informatics [1] staff work on a huge variety of projects and services, which need people with different interests, skills and qualifications. You may have a background in statistics or business management for example.  

Entry requirements will differ depending on the role.  It may be possible to enter an entry-level post with no formal qualifications, but GCSEs or equivalent qualifications are an advantage. Apprenticeships [2] in health informatics are also available. 

Other roles will require very specific professional qualifications such as a clinical qualification eg a medical or nursing degree.

The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme [3] also has a health informatics [1] strand for graduates with relevant degree.

• Personal characteristics and skills

  You’ll need to be interested in finding ways of improving health services through the imaginative use of data and information.  

  If you have a clinical background, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the how health services operate, and are likely to be interested in harnessing the power of IT and data. Many roles, such as pathology links officer, will also need an interest in science.

  A range of skills are needed for a career in clinical informatics [1] including:

  • communication
  • information gathering
  • organisation
  • ICT
  • numeracy

  You’ll also need to be enthusiastic, have the ability to work accurately under pressure, on your own initiative, and in a team. Certain roles will need specific skills and you should look at job descriptions when applying for jobs.