Clinical Informatics is an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)–recognized subspecialty at the intersection of patient care, data, and technology.
As healthcare becomes increasingly digital, clinical informaticians ensure that technologies—such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Clinical Decision Support (CDS), ambient documentation tools, and real-world data analytics—are integrated safely and effectively into clinical workflows. They translate frontline clinical needs into scalable solutions, improve efficiency, and guide the responsible implementation of emerging technologies, including generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Why Hire a Clinical Informatician
Board-certified clinical informaticians bring a combination of clinical expertise and systems-level thinking that supports organizations in:
- Improving care quality, safety, and patient outcomes
- Optimizing EHR functionality and clinical workflows
- Advancing data-driven decision-making, analytics, and digital health tools
- Aligning technology investments with clinical and operational strategy
These physicians serve as a bridge between clinical teams, IT, and organizational leadership.
Clinical Informatics Training and Certification
Physicians become eligible for board certification in Clinical Informatics through pathways defined by the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) and the American Board of Pathology (AB Path). These pathways reflect the evolution of the subspecialty over time.
Important:
While new applications through the Practice Pathway have closed, physicians who were previously approved may still be completing their certification process and sitting for the board examination within their eligibility window. During the early development of the subspecialty, eligibility pathways also included non-accredited informatics fellowship programs and other experience-based routes. These time-limited pathways are now closed to new applicants, though some physicians may still be completing certification through previously approved eligibility.
Summary for Employers
Board-certified clinical informaticians bring expertise at the intersection of clinical care, data, and technology. Physicians in this field may have entered certification through different eligibility pathways, reflecting the evolution of the subspecialty over time. Regardless of pathway, these professionals are trained to support the effective, safe, and scalable use of health information systems within healthcare organizations.
Connecting With the Clinical Informatics Community
AMIA and the American College of Clinical Informatics Fellows (ACIF) maintain a national network of Clinical Informatics Fellows and alumni across health systems, academia, industry, and public health.
Employers can use the ACIF Directory to:
- Identify board-certified clinical informaticians
- Explore candidate backgrounds and areas of expertise
- Connect with professionals aligned to organizational needs