Informatics Research Assistant - Career Profile |
Career OverviewInformatics research assistants work with the research team to complete the data collection, entry and analysis essential to the development and completion of the project. There may be more than one informatics research assistant working on each project so teamwork is an important aspect of working in this position.
The informatics research assistant may be required to complete interviews and record data from various individuals involved in the study or research project. These surveys or data collection interviews may be conducted over the phone, via email or computer program or in person. Some travel may be required by informatics research assistants depending on the scope of the project that they are working on.
Excellent communication skills are needed by an informatics research assistant both in interacting with research staff and working within the project team. Computer skills including database programs, data entry and word processing experience are also critical. Understanding how to write and document information in meaningful and logical fashion will help the informatics research assistant in their day-to-day activities. The informatics research assistant also acts as the liaison between the researcher and the research team.
Informatics research assistants should have some medical background and be familiar with the area that they are researching. Understanding the parameters and protocols for information sharing and reporting is very important as hospital or healthcare facility regulations as well as state and federal guidelines must be maintained at all times with regards to privacy and confidentiality of information.
Most informatics research assistants work fairly flexible schedules with some evening and weekend work if required. Longer hours may be expected to keep projects within timelines and deadlines.
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Career RequirementsMost informatics research assistant have a Bachelors level training in business computing, statistics, informatics or related field. Many informatics research assistants are working on their Masters or PhD level education while working as informatics research assistants.
Computer skills and programming experience is very beneficial but not always required. Usually new candidates will be required to at least be able to use Excel, Access and Word. Some additional database experience is often highly desirable.
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Job OutlookAs more information is placed on computers and more emphasis is placed on developing appropriate methods of data collection and retrieval for patient treatment and evaluation of programs the demand for informatics research assistant will continue to increase.
In the United States the demand for medical and bioinformatics research assistants will continue to increase for the next several years. As current informatics research assistants move towards more supervisory and management positions the need for assistants will continue to grow.
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Career TrackInformatics research assistants that are working through Masters and higher level educational degrees can find jobs as informatics researchers, program managers, designers and may decide to specialize in one area of informatics research.
Some informatics research assistants may choose to focus on the software and programming aspect of informatics research and may work at private companies or research facilities.
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CompensationA Bachelor level informatics research assistant can anticipate earning between $18,000 and $30,000 per year, often depending on the number of hours that they work and the size of the project they are assisting on. Some informatics research assistants may work on several projects throughout the year and work on a contract basis.
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