Role of Informatics

Nurse Specialist
Objectives:
● 1. discuss the duties and responsibilities of an
Informatics Nurse Specialist;
● 2. identify the skills needed for an Informatics
Nurse Specialist; and
● 3. identify nursing informatics competencies and
the expertise continuum.
Vital roles of a Nursing Informatics
Specialists
● Provides a work list to remind staff of planned nursing interventions
● Electronic medical records and computer-based patient record.
● Monitoring devices that record vital signs and other measurement
directly into the client record.
● Computer generated nursing care plan and critical pathway.
● Automatic billing for supplies and procedures or procedures with
nursing documentation.
● Reminders and prompts that appears during documentation to ensure
comprehensive charting.
● Managing the transition from paper to digital records.
● Developing information systems based on current
evidence-based standards of care and ensuring systems
remain updated.
● Developing EHR interfaces that are conducive to good
care while remaining efficient to use.
● Analyzing EHR data to identify areas where care can be
improved and/or costs better managed.
● Working with policymakers and government agencies to
ensure laws and regulations support healthcare technology
and are compatible with provider and patient technology
needs.
● Developing and/or implementing healthcare technologies
outside of EHRs, including patient health monitoring
systems, quality tracking initiative, and home care
management systems.
How Can You Become a Nursing
Informatics Specialist?
● The best way to take your career in nursing into
health informatics is to earn a Master of Science
in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in
Nursing Informatics.
Skills Needed
Computer Skills

● Nursing informatics specialists spend a large

amount of time using computers during their
careers. Individuals pursuing this profession need
to be competent in performing advanced
computational tasks, such as programming and
network infrastructure administration
Leadership

● Nursing informatics specialists provide high-

quality leadership to ensure that information
systems are implemented correctly. When these
individuals use strategic leadership to present to
all nursing team members a vision that
incorporates technology, the medical facilities
that they operate within becoming better prepared
to embrace technology as a key component of
their practices and policies.
Teamwork

● Managing massive networks requires the

cooperation of many nurses and medical
personnel. Communicating with other individuals
is the best way to identify design flaws and
technical bugs.
Attention to Detail

● Nursing informatics specialists must be thorough in

their work, paying attention to every aspect of
current technology in order to identify new
opportunities to enhance a hospital’s information-
sharing and communication systems. They also need
to pay attention to which team members are
struggling to acclimate to new systems and
information technology so they can deliver the
appropriate instruction or guidance.
Data Analysis

● The ability to process and analyze data is

extremely important for nursing informatics
specialists, who need to interpret massive
amounts of data and compile useful information
that can be used to improve medical facilities’
information technology infrastructures.
Organization

● Remaining organized is imperative for nursing

informatics specialists, as they tend to operate
independently with the expectation that they
balance a wide range of technical job functions
with patient needs.
Research

● Information is a primary component of a nursing

informatics specialist’s job, thus collecting
detailed and accurate data is important. Staying
up to date on the latest research techniques and
trends guarantees that the most valuable data is
available.
Critical Thinking

● Applying logic and reason through the critical

thinking process allows nursing informatics
specialists to assess their circumstances and
generate effective solutions to problems in both
the long and short term.
Nursing Informatics
Competencies
 TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Technical competencies are related to the actual

psychomotor use of computers and other technological
equipment. Specific nursing informatics competencies
include the ability to use selected applications in a
comfortable and knowledgeable way. It is important
that nurses feel confident in their use of computers and
software in the practice setting, especially at the
bedside, in order to be able to attend to the client at the
same time.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Word processing World Wide Web
Keyboarding E-mail programs
Spreadsheets Expert data systems
Presentation Graphics Multimedia
Databases Telecommunication
Desktop Publishing devices

Periphereals (printers, Nursing inform systems

CD-ROMS, DVD) Hospital inform system
 UTILITY COMPETENCIES

Utility competencies are related to the process

of using computers and other technological
equipment within nursing practice, education,
research and administration. Specific nursing
informatics competencies include the process of
applying evidenced based practice, critical
thinking, and accountability in the use of
selected applications in a comfortable and
knowledgeable way.
1. 1. Recognize the relevance of nursing data for
improving practice.
2. Recognize the limitation of computer
applications.
3. Recognize need for continual learning in
informatics skills, applications and knowledge.
4. Recognize the nature of computer human
interfaces and assesses impact on client care.
5. Understand the basic process of using
networks for electronic communication.
6. Recognize the basic components of computer
systems.
 LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Leadership competencies are related to the ethical

and management issues related to using computers
and other technological equipment within nursing
practice, education, research and administration.
Specific nursing informatics competencies include
the process of applying accountability, client privacy
and confidentiality and quality assurance in
documentation in the use of selected applications in
a comfortable and knowledgeable way.
• 1. Use computerized management systems to
record administrative data (billing data, quality
assurance data, workload data, etc.)
2. Use applications for structure data entry
(classification systems, acuity level, etc.).
3. Understand client rights related to
computerized information.
4. Recognize the utility of nurse involvement in
the planning, design, choice and implementation
of information systems in the practice
environment.
5. Incorporate a Code of Ethics in regard to client
privacy and‖ confidentiality
EXPERTISE CONTINUUM

USER

MODIFIER

INNOVATOR
User Level Competencies
Minimum core
standard for all Nurses
Comfortable with
basic applications,
NIS, HIS, ergonomics,
privacy issues, email,
Internet, networks
Aware of impact of
technology on clients,
client rights, Ethics.
Key Characteristics
● Focus: Basic skills in using
informatics tools,
understanding their features,
and applying them to everyday
clinical tasks.
● Role: Nurses at this level are
often new to informatics or are
primarily users of technology
rather than developers or
decision-makers. They use
technology in their day-to-day
roles but don’t typically
influence system design or
improvements.
Competencies:
● Using electronic health records
(EHRs) and other clinical information
systems to document patient care.
● Managing patient data through
technology, including recording vital
signs, medications, and patient
histories.
● Ensuring accurate data entry,
maintaining confidentiality, and
adhering to data security protocols.
● Using basic clinical decision support
systems for medication
administration, lab results, and
diagnostic tools.
Modifier Level Competencies
Mastered basic skills,
uses technology in
inventive ways
Applies NI in EBP,
decisions, research
Evaluates E-health
Coordinates NIS
“Champion” of NI
Key Characteristics
● Focus: Enhancing and optimizing
existing systems and technologies to
improve clinical practice and patient
care.
● Role: Nurses at this level work closely
with IT departments, administrators,
and other stakeholders to suggest
improvements, customize technology,
and provide feedback on systems. They
are also typically involved in training
staff on how to use these systems more
effectively.
Competencies
● Collaborating with clinical and technical
teams to modify workflows and improve the
functionality of EHRs or other healthcare IT
systems.
● Using data analytics to identify trends or
gaps in patient care and adjusting care
processes or systems to address these gaps.
● Contributing to the development and
implementation of quality improvement
initiatives.
● Facilitating ongoing education for nursing
staff on the latest tools and technologies,
helping them to better integrate informatics
into their daily practice.
Innovator Level Competencies
Expert NI design skills
& knowledge
Plan, design, manage
Innovates new ways to
work with & think
about NI, inspires
Develops NI initatives
eg C-HOBIC
Advances NI field
Key Characteristics
● Focus: Developing and implementing
new technologies, systems, and
approaches that revolutionize healthcare
delivery and nursing practice.
● Role: Innovators are often leaders in
nursing informatics, contributing to
high-level policy decisions, research,
and technology development. They may
work in academic settings, large
healthcare organizations, or in
collaboration with tech companies to
create cutting-edge solutions for
healthcare.
Competencies
● Leading or contributing to the design and
development of new informatics tools and
systems, such as mobile health apps,
telemedicine platforms, or AI-driven clinical
decision support systems.
● Conducting research on the effectiveness of
informatics technologies and their impact on
clinical outcomes.
● Engaging in strategic planning to guide the
adoption and implementation of new
technologies or systems across large
organizations.
● Advocating for policies that support the use
of innovative technologies in healthcare,
such as data standards, interoperability, and
patient privacy.
Implication of Expertise Continuum
● User Level: Nurses focus on mastering the use of
tools.
● Modifier Level: Nurses work to adapt and
optimize technology to improve care processes.
● Innovator Level: Nurses drive the creation of new
technologies and systems, influencing healthcare
on a broad scale.
Thank You!