Clinical Applications Specialists

Employers

Clinical applications specialists are employed by hospitals, offices of physicians and other health care professionals, nursing homes, pain management clinics, surgery centers, diagnostic testing centers, firms that create medical software, and companies that produce medical equipment. Opportunities are available throughout the United States, but are best in large, metropolitan areas.

Starting Out

Clinical applications specialists enter the field in one of two ways. Some earn health care– or information technology–related degrees and start out as assistants to specialists, gradually obtaining enough experience to be promoted to higher-level positions. Others first obtain experience as a health care professional (e.g., medical technologist, nurse, biomedical equipment repair technician) before seeking a job as a clinical applications specialist at a health care provider, medical software firm, or medical equipment manufacturer.

Many people land their first jobs by participating in an internship at a medical or software manufacturer (and receiving a job offer after the internship is complete), using the resources of their college’s career services offices, or contacting employers directly to learn about job openings.