Case studies: Database administrator: Joe

Joe has a BSc Computer Science and is a database administrator working for a large mental health National Health Service (NHS) Trust in the North of England.

I became a database administrator, working for a large university library service, straight after I graduated with an upper second class degree in computer science. The course was a four-year sandwich degree so I had work experience to offer as well as a range of technical skills developed during my degree. I have now enhanced my technical skills with a range of relevant database qualifications, including Oracle qualifications.

I work as a contractor so all of my contracts are temporary and usually involve setting up and overseeing the ‘going live’ phase of new databases. I also customise databases for specific functions and oversee the first few months of the life of a new database as this is where many problems can occur in terms of the requirements for data of the front-line user and the nature of the data provided. It is only once the database is live that many of these issues emerge. The vast majority of my work is now with the National Health Service (NHS) as I have developed a specialism in the area of NHS data requirements and databases.

My current contract involves the management of a database purchased to report a range of data in relation to a community-based NHS mental health service. Data requirements included patient waiting times, length of treatment, statistical information, such as age and ethnicity, and practitioner case number details. This data is used to monitor the service against its contract. The issues that I have had to resolve include poor data quality and missing data fields. This has led to close contact with the company that produce the database and the manager of the service. Data quality has now vastly improved and I anticipate that I will shortly be moving to another contract.

The skills required of a database administrator include flexibility and the ability to apply knowledge and skills to a range of complex situations. It is important to be able to forge positive working relationships with people, including very senior managers who know little about the technical aspects of databases and who become very frustrated when data quality is inadequate. Technical skills are also vital and it is necessary to constantly update these skills.

I would recommend this career to anybody who enjoys the challenge of complex problem solving and who can cope with the pressures that go with the role. The best preparation for the job is to study a relevant degree and gain work experience through either a placement or part-time employment.