Career Prospects

Employment in the field of health services research has grown very rapidly. As demand for a multi-disciplinary skill set in statistical analysis, research design, evaluation and implementation increases, graduates of our programs are finding jobs in government agencies, academia, medical professions, community-based health care organizations, health insurance companies, public health organizations and other non-profit foundations and organizations dedicated to health care and health outcomes.

While many translational science graduate programs are broad due to the complex nature of the field, the Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics’ programs focus on equipping students with a specific set of skills, including

  • Design and implementation of health outcomes research
  • Research design methodologies
  • Clinical effectiveness research and health outcomes assessments
  • Data collection, measurement and analysis methodologies
  • Conducting research with vulnerable and underserved populations
  • Assessing health risk and outcomes from a variety of perspectives
  • Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis in health care
  • Clinical and translational research
  • Policy analysis and community engagement
  • Disseminating and implementing research findings to communities

This practical skill set, combined with theoretical frameworks for approaching health outcomes and policy, position graduates of our programs at the forefront of translational science, with an increased emphasis on patient-centered outcomes, clinical effectiveness and implementation science.

Researchers and health care professionals will gain valuable training for careers in a range of health care and community settings.  Graduates will be poised to assess health outcomes and to participate in the design and evaluation of programs to improve health and health care.

Clinicians who practice in academic settings will gain increased experience with research and position themselves for funding opportunities in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, health outcomes for a range of medical conditions and clinical effectiveness research.

Clinicians who practice in community settings will be prepared to more effectively participate in community-based research, critically evaluate clinical research studies and participate in policy development.