Why Study Health Informatics in Oregon?
Strong Job Market & Growth
Oregon’s healthcare sector plays a vital role in its economy:
- $32.4 billion in economic output from 61 hospitals
- 160,000 healthcare jobs statewide, including ~70,000 direct hospital staff
- Major employers: Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Providence, Legacy Health—OHSU alone supports over 42,000 jobs and contributes $7.2 billion
Innovation & Strategic Investments
Oregon supports health informatics through research and infrastructure:
- OHSU Innovates & Biomedical Innovation Program fund digital health, diagnostics, and software projects
- State initiatives: Oregon Provider Directory and Clinical Quality Metrics Registry aim to improve data accuracy and care coordination
- Vibrant startup ecosystem, with venture capital support (e.g., Oregon Venture Fund) that includes health tech firms
2027 Best Health Informatics Degree Programs in Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR - Public 4-Year - ohsu.edu
Master's - Health and Clinical Informatics
Online Learning - Visit Website
Oregon Health & Science University's online Master of Science in Health and Clinical Informatics is a CAHIIM-accredited program designed for working professionals. The curriculum integrates biomedical informatics, evaluative sciences, healthcare delivery, organizational behavior, and computer science. Students gain practical skills in implementing clinical information systems, managing health data, and improving quality. The flexible online format supports both full-time and part-time learners, with options for a thesis, capstone, or internship. Up to 16 graduate credits may transfer. Graduates often become clinical informaticists, health IT directors, or data analysts in hospitals and consulting firms. No entrance exam requirement is mentioned in the program description.
- Commission for Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management accredited
- 2-Year program
- Full-time and part-time options
- Thesis or capstone option
- Online program available
- CAHIIM accredited
- Transfer up to 16 credits
Doctorate - Health and Clinical Informatics
Campus Based - Visit Website
The PhD in Biomedical Informatics at Oregon Health & Science University, an on-campus program within the Health and Clinical Informatics major, demands 135 credits. Students pursue advanced research methods, select a cognate area like computer science or public health, and complete mentored teaching and a dissertation. The program leverages partnerships with Portland State University for cross-registration. Career outcomes include research scientists, chief informatics officers, and data science leaders in healthcare, government, and academia. The curriculum emphasizes clinical decision support, data analytics, and health information systems. The associated CAHIIM-accredited master's track provides a foundation for doctoral study. Entrance exam policies are not specified in the provided overview.
- 135 total credit hours
- Thesis required
- On-campus program
- Minimum 135 credits required
- Cognate area of study required
- Residency: 9-15 credits per term
- Mentored teaching component
- Courses at Portland State University
- Dissertation required
- Advanced research methods training
Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR - Public 4-Year - oit.edu
Bachelor's - Health Informatics
Online Learning - Visit Website
Oregon Institute of Technology's online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics is the first of its kind among Oregon public universities, designed for working adults. It merges business management, information systems, computing science, and healthcare. Coursework spans database design, computer networks, systems analysis, programming, healthcare IT, data analytics, EHR implementation, medical terminology, and digital security. Learning is experiential, featuring case studies, group work, and real-world system development. Small class sizes provide personalized attention from faculty who also serve as advisors. Graduates pursue careers in hospital IT departments, clinics, and health organizations. No ACT or SAT entrance exam requirement is specified.
- First health informatics BS in Oregon
- Online program for working adults
- Hands-on experiential learning
- High student-to-teacher ratios
- Prepares for healthcare IT careers
- Includes EHR implementation training
- Faculty involved in advising
- Data analytics training
List of Oregon Colleges With Health Informatics Degree Programs
Klamath Falls, OR
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Bachelor's - Health Informatics
Online Learning - Website
- First health informatics BS in Oregon
- Online program for working adults
- Hands-on experiential learning
- High student-to-teacher ratios
- Prepares for healthcare IT careers
- Includes EHR implementation training
- Faculty involved in advising
- Data analytics training
Portland, OR
Oregon Health & Science University
- Master's - Health and Clinical Informatics
Online Learning - Website
- Commission for Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management accredited
- 2-Year program
- Full-time and part-time options
- Thesis or capstone option
- Online program available
- CAHIIM accredited
- Transfer up to 16 credits
- Doctorate - Health and Clinical Informatics
Campus Based - Website
- 135 total credit hours
- Thesis required
- On-campus program
- Minimum 135 credits required
- Cognate area of study required
- Residency: 9-15 credits per term
- Mentored teaching component
- Courses at Portland State University
States Nearby
Find similar programs in neighboring states:
Career Options for Health Informatics Degree Holders
Oregon’s health informatics market offers exceptional career opportunities with competitive compensation and innovative work environments. Its appeal is further enhanced by an emphasis on hybrid work arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and the integration of clinical practice with cutting-edge technology within the thriving Pacific Northwest healthcare ecosystem.
Epic Systems Mastery & EHR Expertise
Epic Certification Requirements
- Samaritan Health Services (Corvallis) seeks EpicCare Inpatient Clinical Documentation Informaticists II ($80K-$110K) requiring Epic certification/accreditation within 6 months, emphasizing hybrid remote work with onsite collaboration
- Oregon Health & Science University (Portland) offers Nurse Informatics Specialists requiring EpicCare accreditation within 6 months, minimum 5 years RN experience plus 3 years informatics experience
- Kaiser Permanente (Portland) provides Nurse Informaticist positions requiring certification in 2 Epic modules with at least one clinical module, plus master’s degree or 6 years related experience
Advanced EHR Training & Support
- Oregon Health & Science University offers EpicCare Senior Trainer positions requiring bachelor’s degree plus 3 years training/instructional design experience, focusing on adult learning theory and curriculum development
- Crossover Health (Remote) seeks Clinical Application & Informatics Specialists ($91,881-$119,445) with hands-on EHR configuration experience, preferably Athenahealth systems
Clinical Background Requirements
Nursing Informatics Specialization
- Oregon Health & Science University requires baccalaureate in nursing plus minimum 5 years clinical RN experience and 3 years informatics experience for Nurse Informatics Specialist roles
- Kaiser Permanente mandates current Oregon/Washington RN license, minimum 2 years clinical experience, plus EMR implementation experience, preferably Epic
- ElevateX Leadership Collective (Portland) seeks candidates with 5+ years inpatient RN experience plus 3+ years informatics/health IT expertise
Pharmaceutical Informatics
- Columbia Memorial Hospital (Astoria) offers Clinical Informatics Analyst positions ($80K-$100K) requiring current Oregon Registered Pharmacist license, PharmD degree, and 3-5 years hospital pharmacy experience or residency completion
Executive Leadership Roles
Chief-Level Positions
- Oregon Health & Science University (Portland) seeks Chief Health Information Officer ($100K-$150K) requiring MD degree, board certification in clinical informatics, Oregon medical license, and 5-7 years medical information technology experience
- Oregon Health & Science University also offers Associate Chief Health Information Officer positions requiring extensive health information systems leadership experience
Management & Strategic Roles
- Intermountain Health (Salem) provides Informatics Manager Learning and Engagement positions ($50.97-$78.69/hour) requiring bachelor’s degree plus 5 years clinical/healthcare experience and 8 years technology adoption experience
- Oregon Health Authority (Portland) offers Data Modernization Informatics Lead roles requiring bachelor’s in public health/informatics plus 5 years professional experience in data exchange/interoperability
Public Health & Government Positions
State Agency Opportunities
- Oregon Health Authority (Portland, Hillsboro) provides multiple positions including Data Modernization Informatics Lead and Laboratory Data Exchange Coordinator roles, emphasizing public health informatics, HL7 standards, and EHR integration
- Both positions offer comprehensive state benefits including PERS retirement, public service loan forgiveness opportunities, and minimal out-of-pocket healthcare costs
Surveillance & Data Management
- Oregon Health Authority Laboratory Data Exchange Coordinator positions focus on electronic test order and reporting (ETOR) systems, requiring bachelor’s in public health/informatics plus 2 years data exchange experience
Cross-Disciplinary Integration
Clinical-Technology Interface
- Samaritan Health Services combines healthcare experience with technical knowledge, requiring either current Oregon RN/Pharmacist licensure or master’s in clinical/healthcare informatics
- Kaiser Permanente integrates nursing practice with information systems, emphasizing Epic implementation and optimization across clinical settings
Academic Medical Center Focus
- Oregon Health & Science University positions emphasize research integration, academic medical center experience, and ties to community hospitals
- Multiple OHSU roles require collaboration with clinical departments, medical directors, and professional practice leaders
Educational Requirements & Certifications
Advanced Degrees Preferred
- Oregon Health & Science University Chief positions prefer MBA, MHA, MS, or MMM degrees alongside medical training
- Columbia Memorial Hospital prefers PharmD degree completion plus advanced medical informatics education
- Crossover Health prefers master’s degree with CPHIMS, PMP, Athena, or Epic certifications
Professional Certifications
- Columbia Memorial Hospital prefers Pharmacy Informatics certification from American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists
- Oregon Health & Science University prefers Nursing Informatics certification
- Crossover Health values CPHIMS, PMP, and vendor-specific certifications
Geographic Distribution & Salary Ranges
Portland Metropolitan Area
- Oregon Health & Science University: Multiple positions ranging from training roles to C-suite leadership ($100K-$150K for executive positions)
- Kaiser Permanente: Nurse Informaticist positions with comprehensive benefits
- ElevateX Leadership Collective: Competitive nursing informatics specialist roles
Coastal & Regional Areas
- Samaritan Health Services (Corvallis): $80K-$110K for Clinical Documentation Informaticists
- Columbia Memorial Hospital (Astoria): $80K-$100K for pharmacy-focused informatics analysts
Government & State Positions
- Oregon Health Authority: Comprehensive state benefits with hourly ranges $50.97-$78.69 for management positions
Remote & Hybrid Opportunities
- Crossover Health: $91,881-$119,445 for remote Clinical Application Specialists
- Samaritan Health Services: Hybrid positions with primary remote work capability
Specialized Requirements & Unique Features
Clinical Licensure Mandates
- Active Oregon professional licensure required for most clinical informatics positions
- Oregon Health & Science University requires board certification in clinical informatics for physician roles
- Columbia Memorial Hospital mandates current Oregon Registered Pharmacist licensure
Technology Integration Focus
- Oregon Health Authority emphasizes HL7, ICD coding standards, and EHR/LIMS integration
- Crossover Health focuses on healthcare interoperability standards (HL7, FHIR, APIs)
- Epic (Salem) requires relocation to Madison, WI with full reimbursement plus 25% travel
Academic & Research Integration
- Oregon Health Authority roles focus on public health surveillance, epidemiology, and population health management
- Oregon Health & Science University positions emphasize evidence-informed practice, research collaboration, and academic medical center environments