What is a Medical Data Analyst?

What is a medical data analyst? Medical data analysts gather, organize and track medical records in a variety of healthcare settings like hospitals, medical practices, surgery centers, rehab facilities or other healthcare environments. Their work begins with entering patient information using medical billing and coding conventions and then entering the patient information into databases. It can then be analyzed to help health systems make well-informed business or patient-care decisions.

The medical data analyst’s overarching responsibility is to help healthcare providers, administrators and executives make strategic, data-driven decisions that help them achieve business goals, such as increasing efficiencies or improving patient safety, or to improve the quality of healthcare. 

What does a medical data analyst do on a daily basis? Their job may include:
 

Medical data analysts work with information in several categories to generate the insights required for sharper decision-making, including:

The process of gathering healthcare data begins with medical coding, which converts medical diagnoses, procedures, services and equipment into standardized, alphanumerical codes. These codes can be to track the care a patient has received or be utilized for billing purposes. This is why the process is commonly called medical billing and coding. 

Medical coders organize and analyze information about diagnoses and medical procedures that is included in physicians’ notes, laboratory and radiological results and other documentation, then assign the appropriate codes and create claims for submission to insurance carriers. Proper documentation of healthcare procedures ensures that providers are reimbursed promptly so they may generate revenue and streamline processes. In this context, their work is foundational to the operation of the entire healthcare system.

To prepare to pursue a career as a medical data analyst, you will need to develop and sharpen a medley of abilities that consist of both technical skills, often called hard skills, and professional, or soft skills.
 

Health information technology is a rapidly growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of health information technologists and medical registrars, the category under which medical data analysts are classified, is projected to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS further anticipates about 3,100 openings for these health information professionals over the decade.¹ This growth is projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers and not just entry level.

As healthcare-related organizations continue to rely on these professionals to analyze vast quantities of data and offer the insights that enable well informed decision-making, the BLS projects continued growth for medical registrars for updating clinical registries, abstracting relevant details and converting raw data into meaningful information. 

If you’re preparing to pursue a career in medical data analysis, obtaining the right education should be your first step. The BLS notes that education requirements for health information technologists can vary, with workers needing at least an associate degree but a bachelor’s or higher may be asked for as well.  

At DeVry, our Associate Degree in Health Information Technology, with one of 4 specializations in Analytics, General Health Services, Health Information or IT and Cybersecurity, can be a way for you to gain familiarity with healthcare concepts while practicing with the technology you’ll use in the field. 

Learn how to utilize the International Classification of Diseases system to apply codes to patient records, acquaint yourself with the legal and regulatory requirements for healthcare, insurance reimbursement, medical terminology and much more. 

At DeVry, you can earn your Associate Degree in Health Information Technology in as little as 1 year and 4 months on an accelerated schedule, or follow a normal schedule and complete your program in 2 years.² 

At DeVry, our stackable programs allow you to build your resume and professional skills one certificate or degree at a time.³

Our 100% online Medical Billing and Coding Undergraduate Certificate program explores natural sciences, anatomy and health information technology with a focus on outpatient coding courses. Driven by our Digital Health Core curriculum, it provides hands-on experience with simulated patient records and industry-standard software systems and can prepare you to pursue industry-relevant certifications after graduation.⁴

You may elect to take a deeper dive into the procedural terminology and regulatory issues with our Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding (HIC) Undergraduate Certificate. This program is designed to introduce you to the advanced coding knowledge required to record a wide range of inpatient services and also stacks into our Associate Degree in Health Information Technology.⁵

Want to go further? After earning your associate degree, eligible courses stack into our Bachelor of Science in Technical Management with a Specialization in Health Information Management.³  In this degree program, you will learn administration and management skills, project management, leadership skills and how to exercise judgement in complex problems related to cost and benefit within a healthcare environment.
 

In its occupational outlook data, the BLS notes that employers may prefer to hire health information management professionals who have earned certification or expect them to earn certification after being hired. Two such certifications are the American Academy of Professional Coders’ Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) and the American Health Information Management Association’s Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®). 

DeVry’s Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding program includes material addressed in the CPC® certification exam by taking a Coding Practicum and Review (CPC® Exam) course. Students who earn an 85% or higher in this course can earn a voucher for the CPC® exam. The voucher code is valid for 60 days.

Eligible students will also receive a complimentary AAPC Student Membership. Students enrolled in our Medical Billing and Coding – Health Information Coding (HIC) Undergraduate Certificate program will be able to prepare for the CCS® exam with a CCS ® Review (CCS® Exam) course. Students who earn an 85% or higher in the course can earn a voucher for the CCS® exam. The voucher code is valid for 60 days. Eligible students will also receive a complimentary AHIMA Student Membership.

Get your career journey in health information management started with our online Medical Billing and Coding Undergraduate Certificate programs. Classification courses and hands-on learning using simulated patient records will help you learn the fundamental skills required for this important occupation.

Build on your knowledge by enrolling in our Associate Degree in Health Information Technology with one of our 4 specializations in Analytics, General health Services, Health Information or IT and Cybersecurity, and continue on to our Bachelor of Science in Technical Management with a Specialization in Health Information Management.⁵  

At DeVry, our healthcare programs are built around our Digital Health Core curriculum, designed to help you develop a set of interdisciplinary skills for today's rapidly evolving health information field. Courses in our Digital Health Core revolve around principles used throughout the healthcare ecosystem, helping to acquaint you with essential topics related to medical terminology, compliance, ethics, electronic medical records, patient privacy and digital aspects of the healthcare delivery system.

Achieve your goals at DeVry. Get on the path toward graduation with a university focused on your success that offers around-the-clock access to 24/7 tutoring, e-library resources and dedicated Career Services and Student Support Advisors to help you prepare to pursue your goals.