What is Records & Information Management?

Records and Information Management involves creating, storing, retrieving and disposing of an organisation’s information, data and records. This role involves developing new systems to manage information, archiving past data and keeping all information highly secure, in line with internal policy or legal requirements.

Professionals in this field can work in a variety of industries. However, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and technology are some of the largest employers due to their need for effective record keeping and information management.

Records and Information Management works closely with other areas of businesses such as information technology, senior management, human resources and finance due to the importance of record-keeping and its relevance throughout the whole organisation.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED FOR RECORD & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT?

A career in record and information management requires a broad range of hard and soft skills.

HARD SKILLS

  • Numerical and analytical skills
  • Process development and management
  • Proficiency in data management software
  • Data analysis skills
  • Knowledge of legal requirements

SOFT SKILLS

  • Critical thinking
  • Intrapersonal skills
  • Able to work to deadlines
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Ability to work with sensitive information

TRAITS

  • Decisive
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Logical and able to reason
  • Calm under pressure

Record Management in Healthcare

Record management is critical in all industries, particularly in healthcare. Practices must ensure records are stored, filed, and disposed of accurately to maintain safe, accessible care and monitoring of patients. Record-keeping is also essential for medical professionals to be able to treat and care for patients efficiently while handling their information in a secure and legal way to maintain patient confidentiality. 

Record officers and managers in healthcare must stay updated across new technologies to keep data safe from breaches and corruption. This takes adaptability and innovation, two key areas necessary for healthcare record-keeping. 

The healthcare industry is also responsible for a large amount of employment growth in records and information management, especially in more recent years. There has never been a more crucial time for accurate, high-quality record-keeping. 

With a Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (Specialising in Health Administration) (BSB50120), you’ll have the knowledge and understanding to confidently work in a healthcare practice record-keeping position.

JOB ROLES

Strategic Planning Manager

Average Salary
$129,000

Professionals in this role look at long-term goals and strategic business direction to form proposals and more detailed plans to achieve these goals. Strategic planning managers focus more on the overall operations of the business rather than the day-to-day activities.

Chief Operating Officer

Average Salary
$162,000

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversee all operations of the business from start to finish. COO’s have a hand in strategic operations, and working with all department heads to ensure alignment with business objectives.

Chief Information Officer

Average Salary
$204,000

Manages the entire information management of an organisation, including IT departments and related employees. Oversees strategic decisions regarding records and information and is responsible for high-quality, efficient and secure information systems within the business to ensure peak performance.

Business Operations Manager

Average Salary
$100,000

Professionals in these management roles ensure the successful overall and day-to-day running of a business by managing both people and business processes. Duties can include managing budgets, implementing WHS policies, recruiting and training staff, developing operations strategies, managing business payroll, and managing any business-wide changes.

Payroll Officer

Average Salary
$65,000

Professionals in this role are responsible for more financial operational tasks, such as processing payroll, tax calculations, and bookkeeping responsibilities.

Operations Team Leader

Average Salary
$78,000

Professionals in this role have a management capacity, overseeing a department or select team within an organisation. Primary duties vary depending on the industry, but championing process improvements, overseeing facility management and compliance, and being the go-between communicator with higher and lower levels of staff are all general duties of an operations team leader.

Operations Officer

Average Salary
$60,000

Operations Officers coordinate daily organisational administrative processes, report to and help the Chief Operating Officer, assist in managing projects and inter-departmental collaboration to meet business objectives.

Operations Administrator

Average Salary
$70,000

Similar to operations officers, professionals in this role handle most of the project administration and communication within the operations department. They can also have a hand in customer service and dealing with enquiries, maintaining inventory and overseeing daily administrative duties for the organisation.

Office Manager

Average Salary
$67,000

Working as an office manager can see you working in a range of industries. From managing the day-to-day operations of an office to managing people and tasks, they are responsible for making the office run efficiently.

Operations Assistant

Average Salary
$65,000

Operations assistants have administrative, customer service and basic operational duties. They can assist the Operations Manager directly, or be a support to an entire operations department.

Strategic Planning Manager

Average Salary
$129,000

Professionals in this role look at long-term goals and strategic business direction to form proposals and more detailed plans to achieve these goals. Strategic planning managers focus more on the overall operations of the business rather than the day-to-day activities.

Chief Operating Officer

Average Salary
$162,000

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversee all operations of the business from start to finish. COO’s have a hand in strategic operations, and working with all department heads to ensure alignment with business objectives.

Chief Information Officer

Average Salary
$204,000

Manages the entire information management of an organisation, including IT departments and related employees. Oversees strategic decisions regarding records and information and is responsible for high-quality, efficient and secure information systems within the business to ensure peak performance.

Business Operations Manager

Average Salary
$100,000

Professionals in these management roles ensure the successful overall and day-to-day running of a business by managing both people and business processes. Duties can include managing budgets, implementing WHS policies, recruiting and training staff, developing operations strategies, managing business payroll, and managing any business-wide changes.

Payroll Officer

Average Salary
$65,000

Professionals in this role are responsible for more financial operational tasks, such as processing payroll, tax calculations, and bookkeeping responsibilities.

Operations Team Leader

Average Salary
$78,000

Professionals in this role have a management capacity, overseeing a department or select team within an organisation. Primary duties vary depending on the industry, but championing process improvements, overseeing facility management and compliance, and being the go-between communicator with higher and lower levels of staff are all general duties of an operations team leader.

Operations Officer

Average Salary
$60,000

Operations Officers coordinate daily organisational administrative processes, report to and help the Chief Operating Officer, assist in managing projects and inter-departmental collaboration to meet business objectives.

Operations Administrator

Average Salary
$70,000

Similar to operations officers, professionals in this role handle most of the project administration and communication within the operations department. They can also have a hand in customer service and dealing with enquiries, maintaining inventory and overseeing daily administrative duties for the organisation.

Office Manager

Average Salary
$67,000

Working as an office manager can see you working in a range of industries. From managing the day-to-day operations of an office to managing people and tasks, they are responsible for making the office run efficiently.

Operations Assistant

Average Salary
$65,000

Operations assistants have administrative, customer service and basic operational duties. They can assist the Operations Manager directly, or be a support to an entire operations department.

What Is a Typical Day as a Record & Information Manager?

A typical day as a record or information manager will vary depending on the industry. However, you can expect it to look similar to this:

  • Briefing other departments on updated record-keeping policies
  • Meeting with Information Technology experts to develop more secure access protocols for databases
  • Maintaining records, filling in missing information and refiling and organising data
  • Monitoring current information management systems and creating recommendations for improvements based on the organisation’s needs
  • Meeting with other department heads to assess how they need to access and resource information
  • Creating workflows that allow for securely protecting and sharing records
  • Researching compliance, technology and software trends in information management
Records management trends in Australia

Due to the increase in digital record-keeping in almost all industries, effective record management is more vital than ever. Hybrid and work-from-home workplaces are no longer a trend but a reality that needs to be supported by access to records. Employers highly value applicants with the necessary skills to manage information management platforms and implement security protocols that are practical and effective.

Post-pandemic record keeping

A career in records and information is well-protected from the impacts of COVID-19 in the workplace. The pandemic has proven how vital it is to keep a proper record of systems and information, and the importance of strong professionals in the industry. There is also an opportunity for hybrid and remote work due to the nature of roles in this industry. 

Record-keeping positions in the health industry, such as medical receptionist, are projected to grow by 2% in the next 5 years.* Medical records administrator job growth is expected to grow by 7% in the next 5 years, too. This makes it a safe career choice for those looking for long-term growth, career progression, and job security. 

*Seek

Accurate record keeping

Businesses are becoming more aware of the cost of bad record-keeping. According to Business.com, document challenges account for 21.3% productivity loss*. To put a number on this, time wasted on document challenges is costing organisations almost $20K per worker, per year. (GO Nitro, 2015) 

This highlights the vital importance of having a skilled, qualified records manager in a business. 

*(Source: https://www.armstrongarchives.com/records-management-statistics/)

Industry Insights

COURSES IN RECORDS & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

There is a range of diploma and certificate options to pick from to kickstart your career in records and information management, including double diplomas.

The most popular choice is the Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (BSB50120). You’ll complete highly relevant units such as BSBINS512 Monitor Business Records Systems, BSBINS601 Manage Knowledge and Information and BSBINS501 Implement Information and Knowledge Management Systems.

For those after a foot in the door into the healthcare sector, a Certificate IV in Health Administration (HLT47321) will afford you all the records and information skills you need to go straight into an entry-level position.

Some people may begin a career based on work experience alone. However, completing a qualification such as the Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (BSB50120) can set you up for senior roles and career progression. A diploma qualification will assist you to command a higher salary, both at the beginning of your career and into the future. Overall, it’s an excellent way to set yourself apart from other applicants and ensure you’re well versed in current industry trends.

The double diploma offering of Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (BSB50120) and Diploma of Practice Management (HLT57715) is an excellent way to broaden your skillset and allow for future changes in your career path.

Thanks to a large amount of crossover between the Diploma of Practice Management (HLT57715) and the Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (BSB50120), you can graduate with two qualifications in a much shorter time frame than if you were to complete them separately.

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