Clinical Applications Specialists manage medical data software, troubleshoot technical problems, provide ongoing support, and train employees. A bachelor’s degree in business administration or information systems and solid communication skills are required. Continuing education and certification may also be necessary.
Clinical Applications Specialists are individuals who manage the computer software used by their companies to track medical data. These individuals may work in hospitals or even health care equipment companies. A person looking to enter this field needs to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in the field of business administration or information systems, as well as complete an internship to gain hands-on experience. People in the field of clinical application must have solid communication skills and enjoy working with technology equipment.
A clinical applications specialist has a duty to ensure that the software used by a medical facility is as up-to-date as possible. This type of professional implements improvements to computer programs, in addition to troubleshooting these systems to identify technical problems that need to be resolved. As a result, these experts need to be good at problem solving and understand the jargon of computerized reports that show failures after running tests. They must also be able to provide ongoing support to computer users, responding to a myriad of technical requests patiently and in a timely manner.
People in this career area also need solid teaching skills. They are responsible not only for installing computer software and hardware such as printers, but also for training employees on how to most effectively use the company’s computer systems. In addition, a clinical applications specialist provides various employees in the organization with expert advice on which new technological improvements in the market will best help them in their daily activities.
Maintaining relevant knowledge of the field is also critical in this field. Colleges and universities offer continuing education courses that allow a clinical applications specialist to keep their skills in healthcare software or commercial computer programs up to date. These specialists can also take advantage of the educational seminars available at their medical facilities. Some healthcare facilities require these professionals to be certified in the company’s specific areas of expertise before being hired. For example, computer specialists working in the ophthalmologic field must obtain certification in that specialty area through the appropriate professional association.
Solid interpersonal communication skills are also extremely relevant in this industry. A clinical applications specialist needs to be able to collaborate with computer software vendors to check the status of program updates designed to help new software work well with older systems, for example. He or she also creates reports detailing their work and presents them to members of management when requested.
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