Mississippi Health Informatics Degree Programs

Mississippi Health Informatics Job Market Analysis

Mississippi’s health informatics sector centers around major medical institutions like the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and regional healthcare systems including Forrest Health, Memorial Hospital, and Baptist Memorial Health Care. The state offers diverse opportunities ranging from clinical analytics specialists to research informatics leaders, with a strong emphasis on Epic EHR systems and clinical workflow optimization.

Here are some of the core skillsets employers are looking for.

Technical and Data Management Skills

Advanced Analytics and Database Management

Forrest Health (Hattiesburg, MS) recruits Clinical Informatics & Data Analysts requiring Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Health Informatics, Data Science, or Public Health with 2+ years of clinical informatics experience. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in SQL, Python, R, and data analysis tools, with experience in machine learning or predictive modeling in healthcare settings. The role emphasizes developing dashboards and visualizations using Smartsheet, Power BI, and Tableau.

Research Data Engineering and ETL Processes

University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS) employs multiple Research Informatics Analyst positions requiring Bachelor’s degrees in computer science, information systems, healthcare, mathematics, or business with 6 years of related experience. These roles focus on designing, developing, coding, testing, and maintaining database ETL code and queries for research informatics data, with emphasis on data quality monitoring and validation of analytical results.

Epic EHR System Specialization

Multiple Mississippi employers prioritize Epic expertise. UMMC requires Epic certification in Clinical Data Model, Access Data Model, or Revenue Data Model within 6 months of hire. University of Mississippi Medical Center offers Epic Informatics Trainer positions at $80,000 annually, requiring Epic certification in modules like ASAP, Cadence, or Willow, with responsibilities for training curriculum development and end-user education.

Enterprise Informatics and System Integration

UMMC’s Enterprise Informatics Analyst positions require knowledge of relational database systems, SQL, Java, and web application development. Analysts support electronic data capture platforms, cohort discovery tools, and analytics software while collaborating with users to identify technical and business requirements for research informatics applications.

Clinical Informatics and Healthcare Integration

Nursing Informatics and Clinical Systems

University of Mississippi Medical Center employs Epic Nursing Informatics Specialists requiring Bachelor’s degrees in nursing plus 5 years of nursing experience, with 2 years including information systems experience. These professionals provide technical and nursing leadership on complex clinical systems projects, managing workflows and recommending process re-engineering around computerized clinical applications.

Ambulatory Care Informatics

South Central Regional Medical Center (Laurel, MS) seeks Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Analysts requiring active RN licensure in Mississippi with clinical informatics experience. These roles focus on managing EMR technical aspects, executing reports, and troubleshooting validation issues with eCQM and quality documentation systems while transitioning from Cerner/Oracle to Epic platforms.

Clinical Decision Support and Quality Analytics

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport employs Clinical Informaticists requiring Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees in nursing or clinical disciplines with 2-3 years of EHR experience. These professionals apply clinical knowledge to information systems, ensuring technology design remains transparent and efficient for clinical practitioners while supporting quality improvement initiatives.

Clinical Training and Workflow Optimization

West Tennessee Healthcare (Jackson, MS) recruits Clinical Informatics Specialists requiring current Tennessee nursing licensure or allied healthcare professional licensure with 3+ years of clinical practice. These roles focus on developing educational training programs for electronic clinical documentation and ensuring information systems align with professional clinical practice standards.

Leadership and Strategic Management

Informatics Management and Team Leadership

Intermountain Health (Jackson, MS) offers Informatics Manager Learning and Engagement positions at $50.97-$78.69 hourly, requiring Bachelor’s degrees with 5 years of clinical/healthcare experience and 8 years of technology adoption experience. These managers oversee geographic adoption and support teams, responsible for operational budgets and HIT technology implementation across assigned areas.

Research Informatics Leadership

UMMC employs Research Informatics Analyst-Lead positions requiring 6 years of related experience with Epic certification requirements. These leaders formulate project scope and objectives, provide guidance to assigned personnel, ensure quality assurance reviews, and serve as resources for other informatics personnel while maintaining current knowledge of emerging technologies.

Health Information Management Leadership

Baptist Memorial Rehabilitation Hospital-Madison recruits HIM Managers requiring RHIT, RHIA, or AHIMA coding certifications with 2+ years of health information leadership experience. These positions involve planning, organizing, and directing Health Information Departments in accordance with HIPAA, JCAHO, and CARF regulations while supervising HIM staff and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Specialized Technical Competencies

Healthcare Standards and Regulatory Compliance

Multiple positions emphasize knowledge of healthcare standards including HL7, FHIR, ICD-10, SNOMED, and regulatory requirements. Forrest Health specifically requires familiarity with healthcare quality metrics and regulatory reporting, while UMMC positions emphasize compliance with federal, state, local, and regulatory agencies regarding clinical documentation and electronic medical records.

Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics

Forrest Health seeks candidates with prior experience in machine learning or predictive modeling in healthcare settings, reflecting Mississippi’s growing emphasis on advanced analytics applications. Positions require ability to interpret complex clinical and operational data while developing solutions for clinical decision-making improvement.

Population Health and Value-Based Care

Employers increasingly value familiarity with population health management and value-based care analytics. Positions emphasize ability to analyze healthcare quality data, optimize clinical workflows, and deliver actionable insights to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Educational Requirements and Career Pathways

Clinical Credential Integration

Mississippi employers highly value nursing backgrounds with current state licensure requirements. Multiple positions specifically require RN licensure (Mississippi for South Central Regional Medical Center, Tennessee for West Tennessee Healthcare) combined with informatics experience, creating clear pathways for nurses transitioning into technology roles.

Epic Certification Requirements

Most advanced positions require Epic certification within 6 months of hire, with specific modules including Clinical Data Model, Access Data Model, Revenue Data Model, ASAP, Cadence, and Willow. UMMC provides Epic assessments during interview processes, demonstrating the critical importance of Epic expertise in Mississippi’s market.

Advanced Degree Expectations

Leadership and research positions consistently require Bachelor’s degrees minimum, with many preferring advanced degrees. UMMC research positions require Bachelor’s degrees in technical fields with 3-6 years of experience, while management roles prefer degrees in nursing, medical informatics, business, or related healthcare fields.

Professional Certification Pathways

Health Information Management positions require RHIT, RHIA, or AHIMA coding certifications. Additional preferred certifications include CAHIMS, CPHIMS for health informatics specialists, reflecting Mississippi’s emphasis on professional credentialing and continuing education.

Geographic and Compensation Trends

Salary Ranges Across Experience Levels

• Entry-level trainers: $80,000 annually (Epic Informatics Trainer)
• Mid-level analysts: Competitive salaries for clinical informatics roles
• Management positions: $50.97-$78.69 hourly (Informatics Manager)
• Lead positions: Premium compensation for 6+ years experience

Geographic Distribution and Major Employers

Jackson dominates Mississippi’s health informatics market with University of Mississippi Medical Center providing multiple high-level positions. Regional opportunities exist in Hattiesburg (Forrest Health), Laurel (South Central Regional Medical Center), Gulfport (Memorial Hospital), and Madison (Baptist Memorial), creating statewide career opportunities.

Industry Specialization Opportunities

The Mississippi market shows strong specialization in Epic EHR systems, research informatics (UMMC), rehabilitation services (Baptist Memorial), and ambulatory care (South Central Regional Medical Center). Academic medical center positions at UMMC provide research and teaching opportunities alongside clinical informatics applications.