Deborah Carlile is a mature aged student in the Bachelor of Health Information Management at Queensland University of Technology. She is currently in her 5th year of part time study, aiming to complete her degree in 2024.
What are your background and interests and how did these lead to your enrolment in the in Bachelor of HIM? Are you currently working? If so, what are you doing?
I have worked as a pharmacy technician in the community, public and private hospital sectors in Queensland before joining Icon Group’s Pharmacy Practice Unit as the team’s administrator. A highlight of my career was working as part of the medicines management team on the St. Stephen’s Private Hospital eHealth project that opened the first fully integrated digital hospital in regional Australia. Since this project, my interests in medication management, systems administration, workflow processes and documentation led me to completing the Bachelor of Health Information Management at QUT.
I am currently working full time and studying part time. My role at work entails basic administration duties, managing the agendas and minutes for team meetings and the pharmacy digital development group; reporting, auditing, managing the pharmacy document library and participating in the review of policies and procedures; creating the pharmacy intranet content; systems administrator for 3 applications including the documentation of enhancements, user acceptance testing and training for these applications; managing the recall process nationally and ensuring compliance from 70 sites. Whilst not HIM specific, I often apply the principles I have learnt from university in the workplace and I am growing my understanding of legislation and standards outside of the pharmacy environment.
What are you enjoying most about the degree?
I enjoy the variety of units within the degree and the mixed mode of delivery (on campus and online). I have also made some lifelong friends over the past 5 years too.
Are you a student member of the HIMAA and do you participate in the mentor program or continuing education events run by the Qld branch? How has participation benefited you?
I am currently an Associate Member of HIMAA and participating in this year’s mentor program. I have attended several continuing education events, which I found informative and practical. One of my favourite webinars was on preparing a resume that sells ‘you’, to help you advance your Health Information Management career.
Where do you see your HIM career taking you in the future?
Anywhere, this degree does not restrict me to a specific role or job title. My plan is to gain experience and learn as much as possible.