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HNE Health

School Based Traineeships

This program provides young people with valuable paid work experience in their local public hospital while completing the Certificate 3, Health Services Assistance. This is part of the HSC, Human Services Framework and contributes to the ATAR. The Certificate 3 can be used as a pathway into the Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing) or the Undergraduate Degree at University (Registered Nursing). It also enables young people to work as Assistants in Nursing when they successfully complete.

The Hunter New England Health School Based Trainee Program offers excellent opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to experience the healthcare system. It provides a gentle introduction to caring for your mob. You are supported by experienced staff as you learn new skills to nurse people when they are unwell. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Trainees are allocated a cultural mentor to support you.

About Hunter New England Health

  • Nursing and Midwifery makes up the majority of the professional workforce with careers in many areas including acute care, community, education, management and research

  • HNE Health is committed to employing and developing local people within teams that is representative of the communities in which we live, work and operate

  • HNE Health is committed to employing, developing and promoting young people in a career in health

The School Based Trainee Role

If your application is successful, you will start your traineeship with HNE Health working as a School Based Trainee - Health Services Assistant.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Assisting patients with activities of daily living including sponging and bathing

  • Changing and making beds/cots

  • Feeding people

  • Assisting with pressure area care

  • Transferring and positioning of patients

  • Assisting patients with their mobility

  • Weighing patients, measuring height and girth

  • Taking patient observations as directed by the nurse in charge

Training

You will learn how to do your job through comprehensive training at TAFE with ongoing development and support from the nursing team at your local facility.

As part of the Traineeship you will be required to complete a minimum of 100 shifts during a two year period. Shifts are negotiated with your facility Nurse Manager or delegate.

In addition you will be required to complete HNE Health orientation and comply with the NSW Health immunisation policy prior to starting work.

Traineeships are available at: Armidale Hospital; Barraba MPS; Belmont Hospital; Bingara MPS; Boggabri MPs; Calvary Mater Newcastle; Cessnock Hospital; Denman MPS; Dungog Hospital; Emmaville MPS; Glen Innes Hospital; Gloucester Soldier's Memorial Hospital; Gunnedah Hospital; Guyra MPS; Inverell Hospital; John Hunter Children's Hospital; Kurri Kurri Hospital; The Maitland Hospital; Manilla Hospital; Manning Hospital; Merriwa MPS; Moree Hospital; Muswellbrook Hospital; Narrabri Hospital; Quirindi Hospital; Scone Memorial Hospital; Singleton Hospital; Tamworth Hospital; Tenterfield Hospital; Tomaree Hospital, Nelson Bay; Wallsend Aged Care; Walcha MPS; Warialda MPS; Wee Waa Hospital; Werris Creek MPS; Murrurundi Hospital and Wingham Hospital.

Find out more about School Based Apprenticeships visit the Department of Education website.

How do I Apply?

If you are interested in applying for a School Based Traineeship in Health Services Assistance (Acute Care) at a Hunter New England Health facility, please complete the online application by following the link below:

​​​​Hunter New England Health 2024 Nursing School Based Traineeship Application

​When completing your application please remember your Username and Password. You will need to use this throughout your application process.

For more information contact Sally Milson Hawke 02 4924 6810 or email HNELHD-SBTApplications@health.nsw.gov.au

Trainee Testimonials

“My name is Maddelyn and I graduated from my School Based Traineeship in 2019. I absolutely loved my time and the experience the SBAT gave me. I'm now a EEN and absolutely love my job! I would encourage anyone that aspires to be a nurse to do this course!”

Maddelyn Paix , The Mater Hospital

I really enjoyed my School Based Traineeship based at Dungog Hospital as I made long life friends. My colleagues are beautiful, always willing to teach you. Dungog Hospital is a great teaching hospital and has a beautiful layout. You get many opportunities to learn and experience while there, such as caring for patients in the emergency department and on the ward”

Chloe Everett, Dungog Hospital

"I completed my school based traineeship in Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital. Over the 2 years I worked in two wards and loved every second of it! Doing this traineeship has given me so much insight into what nursing is like and gives you such a massive head start with your future career. I am now working as an AIN and just about to start studying a Bachelor of Nursing. The biggest advice I can give is to be organised and practice time management. Goodluck!!"

Paige Gainsford, Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital