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Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Health Information Management
Campus:
Bundoora
Selection:
ENTER - new course - anticipate ENTER 75-90 range)
Duration:
4 years
Contact:
School
of Public Health
(03) 9479 1750
healthinfo@latrobe.edu.au
www.latrobe.edu.au/publichealth/HIM
The combination of studies in the Bachelor of Health Information Management and Health Sciences gives graduates significant career flexibility.
The double degree provides professional skills and education for a range of career directions associated with the delivery ofhealth services and the management of patients’ health information. Health Information Managers are responsible for the business side of medicine. The course combines health,
management, disease classification,research and health informatics disciplines. This course, one of only four in Australia, provides students with the
high-level skills required to analyse and manage health information and systems. This double degree is the only one of its kind in this area of study, internationally, and combines classroom and handson (professional practice) study. The majority of units undertaken are core units, although students may choose to specialise during their final year of study.
In first year, students will undertake an interdisciplinary common year, along with students from other courses across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus is on basic human biosciences and factors influencing health, and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals, including Health Information Managers, in the health workforce.
The second year of study will see students begin to develop specialist professional skills including health classification, health informatics and
management of health information and systems. By the third and fourth years of the course, students will be able to applytheir knowledge and practical skills to the professional practice of health information management in all types of healthcare facilities. They also gain extensive practical experience through placements and field visits. There is an option, for high-achieving students, to undertake a further six months of Honours study, doing research relating to health information or its management. Professional placements occur in hospitals, disease screening and research units, government health
departments, health software and systems development firms, health data collection agencies, rehabilitation centres, pharmaceutical organisations, and cancer and special disease registries.
Prerequisites
Applicants should ensure they check the 2009 VTAC Guide for all requirements regarding applying.
VCE Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or 25 in any other English and
a study score of at least 20 in one of biology, chemistry, a mathematics
(any), physical education or physics.
Middle Band
Relevant work experience and criteria associated with VTAC's Special Entry Access Scheme considered.
Extra Requirements
CY12: Form (some applicants only): Applicants with work experience must submit a VTAC Pi form. NONY12: Applicants must telephone (03) 9479 2258 to request a Health Information Management Supplementary Information form, and complete and submit this form by 17th October 2008. Late applicants must telephone before applying. Some applicants must sit the STAT Multiple Choice. Please see the 2009 VTAC Guide for further information.
Clinical
Placements
During the course, students undertake 14 weeks of professional experience
in the health care industry, e.g. in hospitals, special disease registries
and screening units, government health departments, health research centres,
health computing companies, pharmaceutical firms and community health
and rehabilitation centres.
Additional
Costs
Clinical coding books must be purchased each two years - $395 (approx), plus a
memory stick ($30-60). Accommodation costs for clinical placement will vary
according to the venue and not all students will incur the same cost.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for full graduate
membership of the peak professional body, the Health Information Management
Association of Australia.
Further information
It is strongly
recommended that you attend the course information sessions held on Open
Day. Intending applicants
who are unable to visit Melbourne are welcome to contact the School where
staff will be happy to put them in touch with their local Health Information
Manager for a better insight into this exciting career.
Student Profile
Cheens Lee
Bachelor of Health Information Management
Cheens transferred from Bachelor of Arts/Information Systems into the Bachelor of Health Information Management to help healthcare agencies streamline their administrative processes so that clinicians and nurses spend more of their precious time treating patients.
Why did you choose to study your course at La Trobe?
La Trobe is the only university in Victoria that offers a HIM course. The Bundoora campus has really grown on me over the years, it is a mix of the hustle and bustle of the city around the Agora and the slower pace of the country with ducks crossing your path around the vast parklands.
Have you been on clinical placement? How did you find it?
Placement has been great in that it has allowed me to apply and reinforce the theory we have learnt in class. My first year placement was in Warrnambool where I was able to see how a hospital runs (and the whales).
Have you found the La Trobe environment a supportive one in terms of helpful lecturers, resources, labs etc?
I have found that the labs and seminars are vital in gaining the understanding of course material. The HIM staff in particular are very helpful and supportive with their open door sessions and availability over the phone and email. Being a small course the lecturers in HIM are able to offer a more personalised style of teaching.
Tell us about your favourite area of study. What made it distinctive?
I thoroughly enjoy informatics in that we learn how IT is able to assist in the delivery of healthcare in a more efficient manner. IT is under utilised in the healthcare industry and that means there is a huge potential for further cooperation between the two. The great thing is that the HIM course equips students with the necessary skills to be part of this emerging field.
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