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Departmental Structure & Career Pathways in Clinical Informatics

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Introduction

Clinical Informatics is a multidisciplinary field that brings together clinicians, pharmacists, IT specialists, analysts, and project managers to design and deliver safe, effective digital healthcare systems. As demand for digital transformation continues to grow within the NHS and beyond, understanding the departmental structure and available career pathways is key for those aspiring to work in this field.

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This page provides an overview of how Clinical Informatics teams are typically organised, where EPMA roles fit within that structure, and how professionals can develop their careers within this evolving space.

Senior Digital Programmer

Typical Departmental Structure

Clinical Informatics teams may be structured differently across organisations, but common elements include:
 
 Digital Health / Informatics Directorate

  • Oversees all aspects of digital transformation, from infrastructure to clinical systems.

  • Headed by a Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO).

 
Clinical Digital Team / EPMA Team

  • Focused on delivering and optimising clinical-facing digital systems, including EPMA.

Includes roles such as:

EPMA Pharmacist / Lead EPMA Pharmacist
Digital Nurse Specialists
Digital Midwives
Medical Digital Leads / Clinical Informaticians

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Business Intelligence (BI) & Analytics

  • Responsible for transforming clinical system data into actionable insights.

  • Supports auditing, KPI's, clinical safety, and performance monitoring.

 

IT, Integration & Systems Support

  • Includes analysts, developers, and IT support professionals.

  • Manages the technical configuration and integration of clinical systems.

 

Project Management & Governance

  • Leads on the delivery of digital projects and ensures clinical safety and regulatory compliance.

Often includes:

Project Managers

Clinical Safety Officers (CSO's)

Information Governance Officers

Working in Office

Career Pathways in Clinical Informatics

There are multiple entry points into Clinical Informatics depending on your background:

 

Clinicians (Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists)

  • May start by supporting digital projects or acting as ‘super users’ before progressing into dedicated digital roles.

  • Can move into positions like EPMA Pharmacist, Digital Nurse Specialist, or Clinical Informatician.

 

IT & Data Professionals

  • Often enter the field through roles in technical support, data analysis, or integration development.

  • Can grow into system specialist roles, BI Developers, or Digital Programme Leads.

Meeting

Cross-Disciplinary Roles

  • Roles like Clinical Safety Officer, Project Manager, or Change Manager often require a blend of technical, clinical, and leadership skills.

 

Leadership Opportunities

  • Experienced professionals may progress into leadership roles

Such as:

Head of Digital Programmes

Chief Pharmacy Information Officer (CPIO)

Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO)

Computer Office Work

Development & Training Routes

  • Formal Education

PGCerts, MScs or Diplomas in Health Informatics, Digital Health, or Clinical Systems.

NHS Digital Academy & FedIP-accredited programmes.

  • On-the-Job Learning

Shadowing digital teams, joining project boards, or supporting system go-lives.

  • Professional Networks

Engage with the Faculty of Clinical Informatics, British Computer Society (Health Informatics), and local NHS digital forums.

  • Mentorship & Career Support

Seek out digital leads or clinical informatics professionals in your Trust for career advice and mentorship opportunities.

Smiling healthcare professionals

Summary

Clinical Informatics departments bring together a range of professional backgrounds to deliver digital healthcare transformation. Whether you're a clinician, analyst, or IT specialist, there are exciting and meaningful career pathways available—with opportunities to make a lasting impact on patient safety, efficiency, and innovation.

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