Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Health Information Management - Professional Practice Program

The Professional Practice Program is a core component of the Bachelor of Health Information Management. Placements enable students to practice the skills and knowledge gained through University-based studies, and provide an opportunity for students to link theory with workplace activities.

Current Units

Students complete block placements in the second and third years of the BHIM. All units have formal objectives; second year students and supervisors are also provided with specific guidelines on activities and experiences for students.

Placements provide students with the opportunity to:

• observe a variety of health information systems, procedures, work organisation, organisational cultures
• interact with graduate Health Information Managers working in a variety of employment settings
• practice skills in health computing, business writing, health classification, project management, quality management
• develop personal skills such as interpersonal communication and time management

Policies

Confidentiality

The University requires that all students complete a Confidentiality Agreement prior to each placement.

Agency Responsibilities

When students are rostered to agencies the Faculty of Health Sciences provides an information sheet which outlines the responsibilities of both the Agency and the Faculty.

HIM placement policies

The School of Public Health has a set of policies relating to BHIM student placements including: external work, absenteeism.

Insurance coverage

Information on insurance arrangements is available from the University's Insurance Office.

Placement

Agencies

The University has agreements with health care agencies throughout Australia and staff negotiate placements with these agencies. Most placements are in Victoria. We have a network of contacts throughout Australasia and many students have the opportunity to travel interstate or to New Zealand for placements.

Block 2 students are placed in public and private health care facilities of varying size and specialty. Blocks 3 & 4 complete placements in a variety of health care related agencies including: hospitals, extended care facilities, government departments, research units, community health centres and commercial companies (eg. Pharmaceutical, computing).

Organisation of placements

Students have an opportunity to indicate their preferences from a listing of potential placement agencies. Briefing and debriefing seminars are conducted at the University before and after each placement. University staff maintain regular contact with the qualified Health Information Managers in the agencies who act as student supervisors during the placement blocks.

Journals

Journals are used to:

• provide information on unit objectives
• record placement-specific objectives developed by the Agency Supervisor and the Student
• record student activities during placement
• act as a communication tool between the Agency Supervisor, the Student and University staff

Block 2 (pdf 165kb)

Block 3 & 4 (pdf164kb)

Scholarships

Students may be eligible for Financial support from the:

Faculty of Health Sciences Scholarship Program-see information and application forms from the Faculty website.

La Trobe International. If you undertake an overseas placement staff will advise you of this application process when relevant.

Students in some Victorial rural placements may be eligible for additional financial support.

Information for Agency Supervisors

La Trobe University contact staff

For each placement a University staff member is nominated to act as the liaison between the Agency Supervisor, the Student, and the Professional Studies Coordinator. The name and contact details are included on the student roster. If you wish to discuss placement objectives, activities or assessment please contact the nominated staff member. La Trobe University staff will contact you at the time of the placement to check that the placement is running to plan, and will meet with the student for de-briefing after the placement.

Information Booklet
Hard copy of the information booklet for professional practice supervisors is distributed to supervisors with student rosters.

• Information booklet for professional practice supervisors

Enquires can also be made directly to the Professional Practice Coordinator:
Dianne Williamson: phone (03) 9479 5846

Change of contact details

Please notify us of changes in Agency staff and contact details by email to Dianne Williamson.