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How can I change to a career in IT, currently in Healthcare?

I have a degree in Sciences, I currently work in Health care

science healthcare information-technology career-transition scienctist
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Dinesh’s Answer

Hi Mimidoo,
I hope you are doing well!
Switching from healthcare to IT is very doable—healthcare actually gives you strong advantages (regulatory awareness, workflow knowledge, documentation, working under pressure). Here are the most practical paths and how to move into them.

Pick an IT path that fits your background - You don’t need to start as a software engineer. Many healthcare-to-IT transitions are fastest through these roles. Best-fit starting paths (fastest from healthcare):

Healthcare IT / Informatics (EHR-focused) – roles like EHR Analyst, Clinical Informatics Specialist, Implementation Specialist, Clinical Systems Trainer. Leverages clinical/workflow knowledge and is often the quickest transition.
Healthcare Data/BI Analyst – build skills in Excel + SQL + Power BI/Tableau to create reports and dashboards tied to quality, operations, and patient outcomes.
IT Support (entry route to broader IT) – start with Help Desk/Desktop Support and grow into systems/cloud.


Overall recommendation: Start with Healthcare IT/Informatics or Healthcare Data Analytics because they use existing healthcare knowledge and typically offer the smoothest, quickest entry into IT.

Dinesh recommends the following next steps:

Spend 8–12 weeks building core skills and create 2 small portfolio projects (e.g., a healthcare KPI dashboard or a workflow improvement/training guide).
Get experience while still in school/work: become an EHR “super user,” join quality/reporting projects, or shadow informatics/IT staff.
Update resume to highlight transferable skills: documentation, compliance (HIPAA), process improvement, training, triage/prioritization, teamwork.
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Mario’s Answer

Hi Mimidoo! Thanks so much for the post—it's really interesting! 😊

You can definitely connect the dots; health care utilizes a lot of technology like IT, electronics, AI, and machine learning, so you’re already halfway there! It’s true that it will be a challenging journey, but you already understand the importance of the human touch and interaction with customers, which is what matters most.

Start thinking about the problems and challenges in health care that you can solve more quickly and effectively with technology. Explore what tech background you might need—it's super exciting to see how you can link tech with health care!

Enjoy the journey; the world truly needs people like you!

Best,

Mario R
Thank you comment icon I appreciate this, thank you for the advice. Khushbu
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Vianne’s Answer

Switching from healthcare to IT is definitely possible. With your science background, you already have skills in handling complex tasks and problem-solving, which are highly valued in IT. First, decide which area of IT interests you most, like coding, data, system management, or cybersecurity. This will help you focus on the right skills to learn.

While still working in healthcare, start learning these skills. Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses in Python, SQL, cloud basics, or networking, depending on your interest. Even small personal projects can enhance your resume. Certifications are also beneficial, especially if you don't have a formal IT degree, as they show your commitment.

Networking is key to getting started in IT. Many people find their first IT job through connections rather than just a resume. Reach out to friends, join online communities, attend meetups, or connect with people on LinkedIn. Once you land a junior role, it's easier to advance. Your quick learning ability from healthcare will be a great asset.
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Anne’s Answer

1. Find Your IT Interest

Explore IT Roles: IT is a wide field, so start by figuring out which job matches your interests and skills. Consider these roles:
- Business Analyst: Use your healthcare knowledge to analyze needs and connect healthcare organizations with IT solutions.
- Software Engineer or Developer: If you like solving problems and coding, consider software development to create healthcare applications.
- IT Support/Help Desk: If you enjoy helping others and fixing issues, IT support might suit you. Focus on healthcare systems or software.
- Implementation Specialist: If you know specific healthcare software, help organizations set up new systems.

2. Develop Relevant Skills

Use Free and Affordable Resources:

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses in IT skills. Start with basics like IT support, programming, or business analysis, and move to advanced topics.
Check if your company offers training programs to help you switch careers.
Certifications: Getting certified can boost your credibility. Consider:
- CompTIA A+ (IT support)
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) (Business analysis)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect (cloud roles)
Gain Practical Experience: Practice is key in IT. Try building a project or volunteering to implement software for real-world experience.

3. Update Your Resume and Interview Skills

Customize Your Resume: Highlight your healthcare skills (like communication and problem-solving) and new IT skills on your resume.
Improve Interview Skills: Practice common IT interview questions and show how your healthcare background adds value. Consider mock interviews or seek a mentor for confidence.

4. Network and Find Opportunities

Use Your Network: Talk to people in your organization’s IT department. Learn about their roles, tools, and any job openings. Shadow someone to understand daily tasks.
Online Networking: Connect with IT professionals on LinkedIn. Join healthcare IT groups like HealthIT.
Look for Internal Opportunities: Check your organization’s job boards for open positions and needed skills.
Volunteer for IT Projects: Offer to help with IT projects in your organization to gain exposure and practical skills.
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David’s Answer

There are a lot of ways you can go about pivoting from healthcare to IT, either through utilizing the specific knowledge you have acquired in healthcare, or the general skills, as problem solving is a skill you need for healthcare as well as IT. With the specific knowledge in healthcare you have, I would say it would be easiest to pivot into IT roles at the healthcare organization you currently work at. There would be a wide range of roles and you already have experience interacting with the IT environment, so it would be a more natural transition. Also you could pivot into an IT audit position at an accounting firm, your experience in healthcare could make you eligible to specialize in the healthcare industry, as at these firms, people usually pick an industry to work in, and you would be well suited to audit the IT environment of the healthcare industry as you have first hand experience with it.
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Jose Manuel’s Answer

Hey Mimidoo.

This is a really good question!

The first thing to understand is this: you’re not starting from scratch. Having a degree in Sciences and experience in healthcare already gives you skills that are extremely valuable in IT, things like analytical thinking, working with complex systems, documentation, following protocols, dealing with real world pressure, and understanding regulated environments. Those are huge.

Start the journey and make a difference.
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Godfrey’s Answer

Great question.
IT and healthcare have a lot of synergy.
In health care we have a lot of use of technology which includes and not limited to information technology and data analytics(Health data analytics).
Use of IT in health research,use of technology in health surveillance which may include use of drones to deliver medicines and vaccines in remote area among other IT use in health.
It's pretty easier to navigate from health care to IT career if one has person in IT and would still wish to have healthcare IT career.
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Nilanjana’s Answer

This is exciting. You might want to join the IT department at your current healthcare employer by putting in a transfer request. You would be able to bring in value with your core healthcare industry skills in the technology part of it. You can gain relevant IT experience there and build a career in IT.
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