Key Roles and Skills of a Database Administrator

The Functions and Responsibilities of a Database Administrator

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Ten Functions, Responsibilities, and Skill Requirements of a Database Administrator

DBA (database administrator) is answerable to the integrity, security, and performance of a database. Notably, they are important in developing and planning the database, in addition to troubleshooting concerns or issues for the users. DBAs have responsibilities that verify the tasks they perform on the job, ranging from complete maintenance to concentrating on the development of the database. The tasks may be varying depending on the organization, but the following are some of the key responsibilities (Morrissey, 2004).

• Identifying users’ needs and monitor their security and access;

• Monitor managing considerations and performance in providing fast feedback to start and end-users;

• Installation and testing of fresh versions of the database management system in an organization;

• Sustaining standards of data, including observance to the DPA (Data protection act);

• Documentation of database, for example, data standards, definitions for metadata, and procedures;

• Having authority over privileges and access permissions of the database under their watch

• Making sure that data storage and documentation procedures function properly;

• Collaborating and working side by side with the IT managers, multimedia, and data programmers;

• Regular communication applications, operational, and technical staff in ensuring database security and integrity;

• Commission and install latest or current applications, as well as, customize the available ones to make them fit for purpose;

Precautions a Database Administrator May Take For Database Security and Protection of Patient Information

The most confidential information about a patient is in the custody of a healthcare organization, which has a moral, ethical, and legal responsibility to it. For this reason, the public bestows their trust in the health agencies concerning all research and clinical information in making sure that privacy and security safeguards are in position. To prevent illegal access to the sensitive information in the database, the administrator in charge must take tough control measures, particularly truest with the Electronic Health Records (EHR) (Rosenberg, 2003).

Sorts of health information that require exceptional protection according to the law calls for identification and remarkable extent of safety; as well, adequate assurances about shielding the database from misuse are undoubtedly imperative. Health information managers must be conscious of the high-risk individuals and persons who may risk the information of improper use. Also, they should assess the electronic system and examine whether it includes functionality and features that may expose the database to inappropriate users. The intruders’ blockage from reaching the confidential information is significant since they may choose to manipulate it by disclosing or adding more protections on it (Morrissey, 2002).

The administrator entrusted with the safety of the database must make sure that a particular electronic health record system has a functionality that will permit the management or organization to meet up its operational and regulatory obligations. Protection of the high-risk information demands that the administrator identifies the information’s location in the organization and authenticate specific guidelines on its state about the categories. Conversely, identification of functions in the database that restricts its use and may create risk must take place. Similarly, the health information manager should discover safety features that present better measures of safeguard and put them into efficient use to shield sensitive data (Johns, 2002).

In the selection of an electronic system, its evaluation must be systematic and autonomous, and not depend merely on the interpretation of the vendor for its functionality. If the system selected demands execution of extra security measures, then the organization should establish its ability to do so without putting the safety of the data at risk. It is important that the administrator chose a system based on its operational and regulatory impact. Administrators must collaborate with their counterparts in the IT and establish a trustful relationship of teamwork that aims to achieve a common goal of enhancing patient care by means of technology (Rosenberg, 2003).

References

Johns, M. (2002). Information management for health professions (2nd ed.). Albany, NY: Thomson Learning. Ch. 6, pp.197-249. ProQuest Links Beyond tradition

Morrissey, J. (2004, July). Modern Healthcare, 34(28), 28,32,34,36. Retrieved September 28, 2004, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. Sunrise, Fla., database technology firm aims to improve health-care industry

Morrissey, J. (2002, February). Modern service delivery is another basis of social allocation. According to the Great Britain Healthcare, 32(5), 14. Retrieved September 28, 2004, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. Building a ‘system of systems.’

Rosenberg, S. H. (2003, February 24). Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, 1. Retrieved September 28, 2004, from ABI/INFORM Complete database.

Morrissey, J. (2004, July). Modern Healthcare, 34(27), 20. Retrieved September 28, 2004, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. The process comes first