Health informatics is an extensive field, and those in this profession work in a variety of environments. For instance, many work in hospitals, clinics, group practices or skilled nursing facilities. In most of these settings, direct patient care is delivered. Yet the type of patient care can vary greatly, ranging from preventative care to treatment of illnesses or end-of-life care. Professionals in this occupation work among medical staff including doctors, nurses and other care providers. Typically, health informatics professionals do not work in conditions where they must provide direct patient care. Instead, they work with managers to establish policies and procedures that are formulated to improve the quality of patient care, such as meaningful use. They may also work with IT professionals to develop, test and improve computer databases, and often train other staff members on information management policies and computer systems. Since many healthcare facilities are open 24 hours every day, healthcare informatics workers will have to work some weekends, nights and holidays. Group practices, outpatient facilities and similar work settings offer a more standard work schedule, with regular working hours Monday through Friday.
