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A few months ago, IT professionals hoping to move into Health IT were limited by a smattering of job postings, many of which required industry experience and specialized software knowledge. Now, healthcare providers have started to solicit outside opinions for chronic technical maladies. Here's how to get in the door. Watch our video, or see a related story here.

The Script

Cat: The pectoralis majora is connected to the transversus abdominus. The transversus abdominus is connected to the latissimus dorsi. The latissimus dorsi is connected to the...next one. Well, hello. I'm studying for my new job. I don't know about you, but my career was on life support. I swallowed a dose of federal funding and ended up in Health IT. Now I feel rejuvenated. I'm Cat Miller, and this is DiceTV. First, find an ailing provider. After all, they have maladies that require an immediate transfusion of business and technical skills. Many hospitals and clinics must integrate disparate applications and make them Web accessible before they can automate patient records or ask business analysts to hunt for efficiencies and costs savings. Once you find a few patients, it's time to prescribe your personal therapy. Providers need BI experts and project managers, but they're also looking for professionals who've built Internet gateways and DBAs with MUMPS. No, not the virus, the operating language. A lot of healthcare apps are written in MUMPS. It's also common in finance and banking. Many job postings ask for clinical experience or knowledge of medical software. But don't let that stop you from networking and contacting managers. Business experience and technical knowledge are just what the doctor ordered to get this patient on the road to recovery. Last, it's a good idea to study HIPAA privacy laws and medical terminology, so you're comfortable during interviews. Suggest ways technology can improve patient care by letting practitioners view complete medical histories or drive cost savings through consolidated data and elimination of redundant processes. The hospital ward is open to progressive thinkers who are willing to put on a pair of scrubs and bring their diagnostic and technical skills with them. I've got to go. I'm Cat Miller, this has been DiceTV, and we now return you to your regular desktop.