Allied health recruits kick start their careers at SESLHD

SESLHD’s newest cohort of allied health professionals began working at SESLHD hospitals this month as part of the District’s 2021 intake. The graduates have hit the ground running, learning on the job whilst being mentored and supervised by senior staff.
 
Claire O’Connor, SESLHD Director of Allied Health, said: “Every year our District has the privilege of welcoming new graduates and interns as they commence their career pathway as allied health clinicians.

“Newly graduated clinicians bring a wealth of benefits to our services. They are motivated and enthusiastic, familiar with the latest research, eager to continue their learning journey, and see our services with fresh eyes. Some of their insights and questions can help us to consider where we can make changes to streamline our processes or models of care,” Ms O’Connor said.

“Many of our new graduates will go on to find longer term employment with the District, so this year may be their first of many! Our workforce is enriched through their valuable contributions. We wish them all the best.”

Based at Prince of Wales Hospital, Adam Trama is one of 20 new physiotherapy recruits across the District, and says his interest in the field started when he was in the Army. “I spent plenty of time working alongside physiotherapists and I enjoyed seeing the role they had in a patient’s recovery,” Mr Trama said.

“I’m most looking forward to being in challenging situations and learning from the experience. There’s a lot to learn as a physiotherapy graduate, but it’s a great opportunity to continue to develop clinical and professional skills. The friendships I’ll make over the year is high on the list too!”

Over at Sutherland Hospital, Rebecca Estelle has just begun her pharmacy internship and is excited about the opportunities she will get working in the department. “I’m really looking forward to helping educate patients about their medications, which will go towards improving their quality of life,” Ms Estelle said.

Pharmacy interns at St George Hospital, Isabelle Gillooly and Lewis Goodsell, are both looking forward to interacting with patients and the opportunity to help people with a wide range of medical needs.

There are 20 disciplines that make up our allied health workforce in SESLHD. These include: art therapy, counselling, diversional therapy, exercise physiology, genetic counselling, music therapy, nuclear medicine technology, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, orthoptics, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, radiation therapy, radiography, sexual assault, social work, speech pathology and welfare.

With over 1,700 allied health clinicians employed across SESLHD, this group of professionals make up a third of the workforce in the Australian health sector.

Physiotherapy staff in front of pool