A Clinical Applications Specialist is a professional who plays a crucial role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for implementing and supporting clinical applications and software systems used in medical settings. These specialists bridge the gap between technology and healthcare by ensuring that the clinical software and applications are effectively utilized to improve patient care and streamline workflows. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Clinical Applications Specialists.

Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.

Main Responsibilities of a Clinical Applications Specialist

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Clinical Applications Specialist:

Accomplish

Accomplish results individually and in collaboration in teams and work groups.

Advise

Advise clients on the best technology architecture and data flows to achieve their goals.

Analyze

Analyze data and generate reports on system usage and performance.

Assess

• Assess and document customer overall satisfaction with equipment performance and results.

• Assess and document user competency and award continuing education credits when appropriate.

Assist in

• Assist customers in developing continuous quality improvement (CQI) tools and programs.

• Assist in the creation of educational and clinical marketing materials.

• Assist in the creation of new training tools for FMCC customers and staff.

• Assist in the development and implementation of clinical protocols and guidelines.

• Assist in the evaluation and selection of new clinical software.

• Assist in the optimization of clinical workflows through application customization.

• Assist in the training and orientation of new employees.

• Assist marketing with image atlas, website and brochure development as required.

• Assist, or complete installation of augmented intelligence IT system.

Build

Build and develop strong partnerships with the customer base.

Coach

Coach and mentor staff in the execution of their responsibilities.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate to maintain and improve training materials for new and existing products.

• Collaborate with clinical teams to understand their workflow requirements.

• Collaborate with IT teams to integrate clinical applications with existing systems.

• Collaborate with our partner labs to develop new products / software using the ExactVu™ system.

• Collaborate with project managers to execute software implementation plans.

• Collaborate with vendors to address software-related issues and enhancements.

• Collaborate with vendors to troubleshoot and resolve software-related issues.

Communicate

Communicate status to customer.

Conduct

• Conduct regular system audits to identify and address performance issues.

• Conduct system testing and ensure software functionality and compatibility.

• Conduct training sessions for new hires on clinical applications.

• Conduct user surveys and gather feedback to improve application usability.

Configure

Configure and customize clinical applications based on specific user needs.

Consult

Consult with new and existing customers.

Contact

Contact with customers by phone alone is not adequate.

Continue

Continue professional development including continuing education and conference attendance.

Contribute to

• Contribute subject matter to include clinical protocols, sample images and technical tips.

• Contribute subject matter to the team include clinical protocols, sample images, and tech tips.

• Contribute to meeting the business objectives of zone.

Coordinate

• Coordinate device installation.

• Coordinate with clinical informatics teams to improve data management processes.

Create

Create and maintain documentation and training materials.

Debrief

Debrief the team on customers' reactions, opinions, concerns and needs observed.

Develop

• Develop and deliver training programs for new system implementations.

• Develop and maintain effective relationships through effective and timely communication.

• Develop and / or provide feedback for the design of educational tools.

• Develop and provide training for new distributor staff.

• Develop and provide training for our customers on the use of newly acquired equipment.

• Develop & maintain strong relationships with the our users, partners, and developer's community.

• Develop user guides and documentation to support the user experience.

Document

Document user competency and award Continuing Education Credits when appropriate.

Educate

Educate new clients about the best physiological monitoring solutions for their needs.

Ensure

Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and data security standards.

Evaluate

Evaluate training strategies and monitors understanding of equipment and operating procedures.

Facilitate

Facilitate user acceptance testing for new software releases or updates.

Identify

Identify and qualify sales opportunities within their sales territories.

Improve

Improve customer satisfaction and retention through trouble shooting and excellent technical support.

Maintain

• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge base of clinical applications and features.

• Maintain company assets (i.e. computer, company vehicle, etc.).

• Maintain compliance, continue professional development including continuing education requirements.

• Maintain deep knowledge of product line (functional) as well as competitive position.

• Maintain detailed and updated knowledge of company products, systems, services, and technology.

• Maintain professional license.

Make

Make periodic post installation checks to ensure proper use of the installed equipment.

Offer

Offer recommendations for process improvements and system enhancements.

Participate

• Participate in cross-functional teams to enhance system interoperability.

• Participate in trade shows as assigned.

Perform

Perform required office related tasks.

Prepare

• Prepare for and attendance at tradeshows, symposiums and other customer gatherings.

• Prepare presentations, demo equipment, and images to ensure successful pre-sales support.

Provide

• Provide applications support via travel onsite (mostly in EU) and remote support.

• Provide applications training for initial handover, follow-up, field change orders, and upgrades.

• Provide competitive product insight and provide regular p.

• Provide customer service support to clients.

• Provide customer support via phone, email, and remote access tools.

• Provide end-user support during go-live and system upgrade processes.

• Provide information to direct management / peers and other functional groups including.

• Provide ongoing support and maintenance for clinical software applications.

• Provide onsite user training for Augmented Intelligence applications.

• Provide pre-sales support at customer site, conventions, etc. as requested by the sales team.

• Provide prompt responses for customer satisfaction and retention.

• Provide remote support to healthcare professionals using clinical applications.

• Provide required applications report on completion of all application visits.

• Provide sales support to Regional Sales Managers.

• Provide staff education / orientation to new Territory Managers as required.

• Provide superior service and product support to Canadian customers as assigned.

• Provide support for application module updates, upgrades and advanced clinical applications.

• Provide technical support, training and workflow management for all clinical and business software.

• Provide training and support during the transition to new software versions.

Recruit

Recruit, train, motivate, and evaluate staff (including distributor CAS staff).

Report

Report to PH on difficulties in optimal usage of the equipment.

Serve as

Serve as a subject matter expert on clinical applications for internal stakeholders.

Set-up

Set-up application training schedules in close cooperation with the customer.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in clinical applications.

Support

• Support and advise the sales force during acquisition.

• Support clients in their technical usage of Hexoskin products and solutions.

• Support FMCNA's mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy.

• Support marketing with product launches.

• Support new products launches.

• Support product launches and advise the sales force during acquisition.

• Support the teaching of home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis patients as directed.

• Support trade shows and professional conferences by performing product demonstration and seminars.

• Support training and development of other team members.

Take

Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development.

Train

• Train healthcare staff on the use of clinical applications and software.

• Train new clients on best practices and data interpretation.

Travel

Travel to customer sites to resolve image quality and / or escalated issues.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to clinical software.

Work with

Work with and maintain strong ties to luminary or partner labs.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Clinical Applications Specialist:

1. Proficiency in clinical software and applications.

2. Knowledge of healthcare IT systems and standards.

3. Technical expertise in system implementation and configuration.

4. Familiarity with database management and SQL queries.

5. Understanding of HL7 and other healthcare data exchange standards.

6. Ability to perform system troubleshooting and issue resolution.

7. Experience with interface engines and interoperability solutions.

8. Knowledge of clinical workflows and best practices.

9. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

10. Project management skills for software implementation projects.

11. Proficiency in system testing and quality assurance.

12. Understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance requirements.

13. Knowledge of healthcare terminology and coding systems (e.g., ICD-10, CPT).

14. Familiarity with clinical decision support systems.

15. Proficiency in data analysis and reporting using tools like Excel and Tableau.

16. Understanding of cybersecurity practices and data privacy regulations.

17. Experience with software training and instructional design.

18. Knowledge of medical imaging and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS).

19. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems.

20. Strong technical documentation and writing skills.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Clinical Applications Specialist:

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

2. Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

3. Strong customer service orientation.

4. Effective problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

5. Adaptability and flexibility to handle changing requirements and situations.

6. Strong organizational and time management skills.

7. Attention to detail and accuracy in work.

8. Empathy and compassion towards patients and healthcare professionals.

9. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

10. Continuous learning mindset to stay updated with industry advancements.

Conclusion

Being a Clinical Applications Specialist involves a diverse range of responsibilities and requires a combination of technical expertise and soft skills. By effectively implementing and supporting clinical applications, these specialists contribute to the enhancement of patient care, workflow efficiency, and overall healthcare outcomes. With the right set of hard and soft skills, Clinical Applications Specialists can make a significant impact in the healthcare industry and drive positive change.