Idaho Health Informatics Masters Degree Programs

The Impact of Health Informatics in Idaho

Idaho, characterized by its vast rural areas and a strong emphasis on community health, is increasingly turning to health informatics to overcome geographical barriers and enhance care delivery.

The state’s commitment to leveraging technology is epitomized by the Idaho Health Data Exchange (IHDE), the statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE).

Key use cases include:

• Real‑time access to patient data across rural clinics and hospitals
• Reducing duplicate tests and lowering costs
• Ensuring immediate record access in emergencies

Other initiatives across the state include:

• Saint Alphonsus Health System integrates and expands EHR services, including virtual care
• St. Luke’s Health System optimizes workflows and telehealth via its EHR platform
• Health Tech Idaho hosts events and mentorship programs for health‑tech startups

This ongoing investment in health informatics infrastructure and innovation creates a robust demand for skilled professionals.

States Nearby

Take a look at similar schools in adjoining states to expand your options:

• Washington
• Oregon
• Montana

What Are the Job Options Like in Idaho?

Idaho’s healthcare sector presents unique opportunities for health informatics professionals, ranging from specialized laboratory informatics to telehealth support and comprehensive health system management. The state’s employers seek versatile professionals who can bridge clinical expertise with technical innovation across diverse healthcare settings.

Below is an analysis of some common job descriptions and job openings with employers across the state.

Clinical Laboratory & Specialized Informatics

Laboratory Systems Leadership Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls offers Clinical Informatics Specialist-Lead positions requiring BS in Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Laboratory Science with MLS/MT/CLS national certification. These roles focus on assessment, planning, training, implementation, evaluation, and optimization of laboratory informatics projects, serving as the primary interface between laboratory, Point of Care Services, and Information Technology Services.

The position requires 1-2 years preferred experience, BLS certification, valid driver’s license, and proficiency in EHR systems and lab information systems. New graduates must obtain national certification within one year of hire. These roles emphasize evidence-based practices, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary project coordination with comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K with 6% match, and quarterly bonus programs.

Mountain View Hospital also seeks Health Informatics Specialists for Point of Care requiring high school diplomas/GED and 1-3 years medical experience. These Clinical Documentation Specialist roles assist providers in creating and maintaining patient medical records, coordinating data collection, and managing quality measures reporting. Preferred certifications include CPC, CCS, RHIT, CDIP, RN, LPN, or MA.

Rural Critical Access Hospital Informatics

Integrated Clinical-IT Support Franklin County Medical Center in Preston offers Clinical Informatics Analyst positions for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) or Registered Nurses (RN), requiring graduation from accredited nursing schools, current Idaho licensure, and 1-2 years nursing experience. These roles combine clinical knowledge with IT support, building and maintaining EHR workflows, templates, schedules, and order sets.

Responsibilities include developing training programs for clinical staff, maintaining EHR user accounts and permissions, identifying system problems and coordinating with vendors, and serving as liaison between clinical and IT staff. The position offers Monday-Friday day shifts with alternating on-call rotation, emphasizing work-life balance in rural healthcare settings. FCMC serves as the largest employer in Franklin County and was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals” nationally from 2017-2020.

Enterprise Health System Management

Strategic Informatics Leadership Intermountain Health in Boise recruits Informatics Managers for Learning and Engagement requiring Bachelor’s degrees with 5+ years clinical/healthcare experience or 8+ years technology adoption experience ($50.97-$78.69 hourly). These positions coordinate planning, implementation, evaluation, training, and adoption of iCentra and other health information technology projects across geographical areas.

The role requires 3+ years leadership/project management experience, demonstrated strategic relationship-building abilities, and experience with Cerner solutions. Preferred qualifications include degrees in Nursing, Medical, Clinical Informatics, or related fields (Business/IS/BA/MBA/MHA), plus experience with Health IT project acquisition and implementation. Clinical licensure is required for specialty positions (Pharmacists, RNs, Respiratory Therapists).

Key responsibilities include building high-performing geographical teams, managing stakeholder relationships, establishing best practice standards, leading continuous improvement efforts, and ensuring accountability for Key Performance Indicators related to adoption and support.

Telehealth & Patient Support Services

Digital Health Technology Support Molina Healthcare offers remote Associate Analyst, Clinical Informatics positions from Idaho Falls requiring high school diplomas/GED with 2+ years experience ($21.16-$42.20 hourly). These roles serve as frontline ambassadors for Care Connections telehealth services, ensuring smooth patient virtual visit experiences through technical troubleshooting and connectivity problem resolution.

Requirements include excellent customer service skills, experience diagnosing hardware/software issues, smartphone configuration expertise (iPhone and Android), and empathy for working with senior, disabled, and low-income populations. The position involves 10AM-7PM PST hours with rotating weekends, providing responsive support across phone, email, and text while maintaining HIPAA compliance.

Preferred qualifications include 4+ years experience, clinical IT background, EHR application experience, and bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish). The role emphasizes hardware and software support for clinical workflows, system implementation lifecycle participation, and problem resolution for clinical applications.

Physician Leadership & Applied Informatics

Medical Informatics Physician Roles Epic in Boise seeks Physicians for Applied Informatics positions, though specific details are limited in available postings. A confidential employer in Boise also offers Medical Informatics opportunities for physicians through the Metropolis provider engagement platform, emphasizing direct organizational connections and confidential matching processes.

U.S. Army positions in Idaho Falls offer Healthcare Leader roles for preventive medicine, requiring Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degrees from accredited institutions, current U.S. medical licensure, board certification eligibility, and completed GME internships plus preventive medicine training programs.

These military positions focus on preventing disease and injury among soldiers and families, establishing physical medicine and rehabilitation programs, directing Force Health Protection efforts, and overseeing public health core functions including assessment, policy development, and assurance. Benefits include education loan repayment, accession bonuses, travel opportunities, 30 days paid vacation, and comprehensive medical/dental care.

Health Information Management

Medical Records & Compliance Kootenai Hospital in Coeur d’Alene offers Health Information Specialist positions (full-time and part-time) requiring high school diplomas with 2+ years medical office/medical record experience preferred. These roles perform chart processing functions including preparation, scanning, indexing, and quality review of scanned medical records across multiple EMR systems.

Responsibilities include reviewing release information with high accuracy, ensuring legal compliance for medical record activities, managing patient identity per red flag regulations, and following record retention guidelines per RCW requirements. The position requires proficiency in computer applications and various software platforms.

Kootenai Health offers comprehensive benefits including fully paid employer premiums for full-time employees, affordable part-time premiums, tuition assistance after 90 days, retirement plans with 3-6% matching based on service years, competitive salaries with shift differentials, and award-winning wellness programs.

Cross-Disciplinary Integration & Specializations

Military Healthcare Integration Military positions emphasize interaction with diverse public health disciplines including public health nurses, entomologists, environmental scientists, occupational medicine officers, and industrial hygienists, requiring comprehensive understanding of Force Health Protection and public health initiatives.

Rural Healthcare Focus Idaho’s healthcare informatics market strongly emphasizes rural and critical access hospital settings, requiring professionals who can manage multiple responsibilities across clinical and technical domains while serving smaller, geographically dispersed populations.

Technology Adoption & Change Management Multiple positions emphasize technology adoption, change management, and end-user support, requiring professionals who can effectively bridge clinical practice with emerging health information technologies.

Education & Certification Requirements

Entry-Level Positions:

• High school diploma/GED minimum
• Medical office or healthcare experience preferred
• Basic computer proficiency and software skills

Clinical Informatics Roles:

• Nursing degrees from accredited schools
• Professional licensure (RN, LPN) in Idaho
• 1-3 years clinical experience
• EHR and clinical system proficiency

Laboratory Specialization:

• BS in Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science
• National certification (MLS/MT/CLS)
• BLS certification and valid driver’s license
• Registry eligibility for new graduates

Leadership Positions:

• Bachelor’s degrees minimum, advanced degrees preferred
• 3-8 years progressive healthcare/IT experience
• Leadership and project management experience
• Strategic relationship-building capabilities

Physician Positions:

• MD/DO degrees from accredited institutions
• Current U.S. medical licensure
• Board certification eligibility
• Specialized training requirements

Salary Ranges & Benefits

Compensation Structure:

• Entry-level support: $21.16-$42.20 hourly
• Leadership positions: $50.97-$78.69 hourly
• Clinical documentation specialists: Competitive with comprehensive benefits
• Military positions: Comprehensive benefits including loan repayment and bonuses

Benefits Packages:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision insurance
• Retirement plans with employer matching (3-6%)
• Paid time off and holiday benefits
• Tuition assistance and professional development
• Quarterly bonus programs (private sector)
• Education loan repayment (military)

Geographic Distribution & Work Environment

Regional Healthcare Hubs:

• Idaho Falls: Major medical center serving Snake River Valley from Pocatello to Rexburg
• Boise: State capital with major health systems and technology companies
• Coeur d’Alene: Northern Idaho healthcare hub serving Inland Northwest
• Preston: Rural critical access hospital serving Franklin County

Work Environment Characteristics:

• Rural and critical access hospital emphasis
• Community-focused healthcare delivery
• Outdoor recreation opportunities
• Close-knit healthcare teams
• Technology innovation in rural settings

Idaho’s health informatics job market emphasizes versatility, community focus, and the ability to work effectively in smaller healthcare settings while maintaining high standards of care. The state offers unique opportunities for professionals interested in rural healthcare, military service, and innovative technology implementation in diverse geographic settings, with strong emphasis on work-life balance and professional development in Idaho’s distinctive healthcare environment.