This series highlights unique and diverse career opportunities for healthcare professionals looking to transition away from traditional roles. Each post provides an overview of the job, qualifications required, and potential salary ranges, though these may vary by location and employer and information available on the actual job post. If this job isn’t a good fit for your credentials and background, then please click here to view all Job Spotlights.

Are you a Lab Technician looking for a career that moves beyond the bench but still keeps you connected to healthcare innovation? Lab Informatics might just be the ideal non-clinical role for you! In fact, I suggested this as a possible career path in my last post, and decided to provide you with a specific example for this weeks Job Spotlight.

Today, we’re diving into the role of a Lab Informatics Specialist at OU Health—a career that merges technology with laboratory expertise. If you’re ready to make an impact on patient care in a behind-the-scenes yet essential role, read on!

About OU Health

OU Health is a leading healthcare system based in Oklahoma, with facilities located in Oklahoma City and throughout the state. As Oklahoma’s comprehensive academic health system, OU Health partners with the University of Oklahoma to provide cutting-edge healthcare services, research, and education. It includes the state’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, and a range of specialty care services, making it a hub for both patient care and medical innovation. For more information, visit their main website here.

What Does a Lab Informatics Specialist Do at OU Health?

Informatics is the future of healthcare, and Lab Informatics Specialists are at the forefront of this digital transformation. Their primary role involves managing and optimizing laboratory information systems (LIS) to ensure seamless data integration and support for clinical and diagnostic processes. This role is crucial for maintaining the flow of information between the lab and IT department.

Here are some key responsibilities:

• Maintaining the LIS: Ensure that laboratory information systems are up-to-date, functional, and running efficiently.
• Data Management: Support lab data integrity by troubleshooting issues and implementing solutions that ensure accurate and secure data reporting.
• System Optimization: Collaborate with IT and lab teams to optimize workflows within the LIS to meet the evolving needs of healthcare services.
• User Training: Provide training and support to lab staff, physicians, and other users to ensure they are proficient with the LIS.
• Compliance: Ensure the system adheres to healthcare regulations like HIPAA and other relevant standards.

Why Lab Informatics?

One of the biggest perks of transitioning to Lab Informatics is the ability to merge your clinical expertise with your interest in technology. If you’re someone who loves problem-solving and efficiency, this could be a rewarding career path.

Other key benefits include:

• Growing Demand: As hospitals and healthcare providers continue their digital transformation, the demand for informatics professionals is only increasing.
• Career Advancement: With experience, you could move into leadership roles in healthcare informatics, data management, or health IT.
• Competitive Salary: Lab Informatics Specialists often earn more than traditional lab tech roles, making this a financially rewarding career move.
• Sign on Bonus: OU Health is currently offering a sign on bonus for this role.

Qualifications You Need to Become a Lab Informatics Specialist

• Education: A bachelor’s degree is required for this position. They would also prefer certifications in either Comp TIA A+, Comp TIA Network+ or SQL.
• Experience: Prior experience in a laboratory setting is required, as is experience with lab information systems (LIS) or healthcare technology platforms.
• Skills: A strong understanding of both laboratory processes and information technology is key. Excellent problem-solving abilities and communication skills are essential, as you’ll be working with lab staff and IT professionals alike.

If you find this type of job intriguing, but feel unsure about your skills with computer languages, there are tons of resources online. As a matter of fact, Coursera and Udemy are offering multiple classes on SQL to get you started. 

How Does This Compare to Other Non-Bedside Jobs?

If you’ve already checked out my previous post on the Top 5 Non-Clinical Jobs for Medical Technicians, you’ll notice Lab Informatics shares similarities with roles like Informatics Specialist. However, Lab Informatics is more directly involved with managing laboratory systems, making it ideal for those who still want to stay connected to lab work but in a tech-forward way.

Not planning to relocate to Oklahoma? No worries! Lab Informatics positions like this are available across the country. The key is to search using the right keywords. Hopefully, this post helps you discover similar opportunities wherever you’re looking. Positions like this are in high demand at OU Health and beyond.

Feel free to reference back to this post when applying to positions like the Lab Informatics Specialist at OU Health. You can find more details on their career page here.

Is there a particular job you’re interested in? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll help you track it down!