How To Become A Health Systems Analyst: What It Is and Career Path

What is a health systems analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Catherine Kisavi-Atatah Ph.D.,

Dr. Pauline Mosley

Health system analysts are responsible for gathering and organizing information on problems or procedures. They do this by interviewing personnel and conducting on-site observation to ascertain unit functions, work performed, and methods, equipment, and personnel used. These analysts plan the study of work problems and procedures, such as organizational change, communications, integrated production methods, inventory control, or cost analysis.

Health system analysts earn a median sum of $73,000 annually or $35 per hour. They are highly creative professionals tasked with testing the quality assurance functions of the processes used to integrate data and ensure that they follow all the required functional requirements. Part of their duties includes analyzing data gathered and developing solutions or alternative methods of the proceeding and documenting the study's findings and preparing recommendations for implementation of new systems.

Health system analysts typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree in business, health care administration, nursing, or other related fields. They are expected to have proven work experience in a similar role, and some employers prefer candidates with solid analytical and communication skills.

What general advice would you give to a health systems analyst?

Catherine Kisavi-Atatah Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Prairie View A & M University

There are several strategies you can use to optimize your salary potential in health and public
health. Some of those strategies include but are not limited to:
1. Obtain your bachelor’s degree: Graduating with either a bachelors or masters in the
field is essential. Also, consider getting additional certifications in your field of study.
For example, students can get certifications in case management, certification
healthcare leadership etc.
2. Include a certification in your field: Students can specialize in epidemiology, policy,
biostatistics etc.
3. Gain hands on experience: While obtaining your degree, students are encouraged to get
practical experience through internship and volunteer work.
4. Networking: Students are encouraged to network with other professionals in their field.
Attending conferences and joining professional organizations such as Society for Public
Health Education (SOPHE) and American Public Health Association (APHA) will help
students connect with their peers and other professionals.
5. Research Activity: Students should also collaborate with faculty in research
6. Continuous learning: Students should also participate in continuous education in their
field. Students are encouraged to stay informed on policies that affect health outcomes
7. Negotiate Salary: Advocate for your salary.

ScoreHealth Systems AnalystUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $70,451

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.3

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.19%

Asian 14.59%

Black or African American 10.23%

Hispanic or Latino 11.00%

Unknown 5.01%

White 58.99%

Gender

female 64.35%

male 35.65%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a health systems analyst

Explore health systems analyst education requirements

Most common health systems analyst degrees

Bachelor's

55.7 %

Associate

18.6 %

Master's

15.8 %

Start to develop specific health systems analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	14.36%
Home Health	13.10%
Health System	12.10%
EHR	8.35%
Epic	7.68%

Complete relevant health systems analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New health systems analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a health systems analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real health systems analyst resumes.

Research health systems analyst duties and responsibilities

Manage Cerner system applications, provide ongoing physician support/training, maintenance, system enhancements, problem analysis, resolution and troubleshooting.
Participate in extensive go-live interface testing in HL7 format and troubleshooting.
Increase nursing efficiency and collaboration by rebuilding customize radiology and lab order entry sub department screens.
Manage Cerner system applications, provide ongoing physician support/training, maintenance, system enhancements, problem analysis, resolution and troubleshooting.

Prepare your health systems analyst resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your health systems analyst resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a health systems analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable health systems analyst resume templates

Build a professional health systems analyst resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your health systems analyst resume.