A career in healthcare is an enjoyable and future-proofed option well suited to a range of people. More specifically, jobs in medical administration, practice management, or health information management are excellent choices for those with high-level organisation skills and the ability to work with a range of people, both inside and outside the business.
The benefits of working in these areas of healthcare are the wide variety of sub-industries to choose from, whether it be in the public or private system. The hours are often friendlier than a career such as nursing, for example, where shifts can be on a 24-hour roster.
Depending on your specific goals, several diploma and double diploma options are available to help you start your dream career.
This course offering from CAL combines a broad foundation of business skills with a specific focus on the health industry. The particular health units prepare you for a career in health administration while giving you a well-rounded business skillset and the ability to understand important information and record-keeping management practices.
You’ll complete health-focused units such as how to ‘Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately’ and ‘Manage health billing and accounting systems.’ Record keeping units like ‘Monitor business records systems’ contribute to the overall records management framework.
Some people begin a career in health administration based on work experience alone, yet, completing a qualification such as the Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (Specialising in Health Administration) (BSB50120) can increase your eligibility for more senior roles and lead to faster career progression. Completing a qualification is an excellent way to stand out from other applicants and ensure you’re well versed with current industry trends. The diploma can also help command a higher salary both when beginning your career and into the future.
Completing a double diploma is an excellent way to broaden your skillset and allow for future evolutions 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.
Alongside the business and health units completed in the Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (BSB50120), the Diploma of Practice Management (HLT57715) features unique units essential for anyone wanting to move into management positions in the future. Even if leadership roles aren’t part of your considerations now, having practice management skills will set you up for more senior roles in the future and give you a further edge over other applicants in the short-term too.
Units such as ‘Implement and monitor infection prevention control policies and procedures’, ‘Develop organisational policy’ and ‘Manage legal and ethical compliance’ form part of the Diploma of Practice Management and complement the business and health record skills studied alongside these.
If you want to work in health administration, there are several ways to get your foot in the door. However, completing a relevant qualification such as the Diploma of Business (Records and Information Management) (Specialising in Health Administration) (BSB50120) is an excellent way to land your first role.
You may begin as an admin assistant in a hospital, general practice medical centre or an allied health practice such as physiotherapy, osteopathy or chiropractic. Other options include an alternative medicine practice such as naturopathy, or a private specialist’s office, to name a few.
From there, you can work your way into more senior roles such as Office Manager, Administration Manager or Head of Administration which come with greater responsibilities. The specific health record skills gained during your course offer potential specialisations in this area, which is becoming increasingly important due to privacy issues and the increased need for compliant digital record keeping.
A career in Health Information Management is an excellent choice for those with an interest in healthcare management and an aptitude for data.
Health Information managers usually begin their career in health administration, making it the perfect career path for those already working in this field. Health information managers may work in a specialised role focused solely around record-keeping, or they may complete these duties as part of being a practice manager.
Interested students should consider the double diploma option to gain skills in both practice management and health record keeping. As mentioned, the demand for accurate, accessible and secure record-keeping has never been so important as many practices move to digital information management.
Completing a diploma rather than a bachelor’s degree allows you to complete your course faster and get to working in your dream career sooner. Degrees are more affordable and flexible than university study, making it a smart option for those wanting to study while they work. Employers value the hands-on nature of diplomas and appreciate the focus on practical skills gained by students during the courses.
Whether you want to work in health information management, health administration, practice management or a combination of all three, you’ll find that there is a diploma course well suited to you and your career goals.
