Acute care training a first for Moree
Moree District Health Service is about to embark on an innovative training pilot, as the first hospital in the Hunter New England Health region to offer traineeships to students undertaking an Hospital Services Assistant Certificate III.
Two students, Rhia French and Emily James, will have the opportunity to complete their traineeships at Moree District Health Service, in partnership with New England TAFE.
Health Service Manager Sally Clarke said it was hoped the initiative, which is the first to be undertaken across the Area, would encourage nursing students to continue their careers in a rural community.
“The young women who are undertaking their traineeships with us are locals to the area – girls who grew up in the Moree region, and completed their high school education at Moree High School.
“We hope that by offering students who show potential and dedication to the nursing profession, a chance to train in a District Health Service the size of Moree, they will see what rural hospitals really have to offer the local community,” Ms Clarke said.
“By gaining that hands-on experience during the traineeship, we hope these women will come to see the nursing as career in the Moree region.
“They will develop a better understanding of the requirements of patient care in a rural area, which can be really quite different from working in a metropolitan or suburban facility,” she said.
Ms French and Ms James will be supported by Moree District Health Service and Hunter New England Nursing and Midwifery Services to complete their Hospital Services Assistant Certificate 111.
The course provides credit toward entry into registered or enrolled nurse training.
Students learn about legal and ethical issues in healthcare, effective communication strategies, anatomy and physiology and occupational health and safety.
The traineeship equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to identify and assess a range of health problems and nursing challenges in acute care settings.
Ms Clarke said students undertaking a traineeship at Moree District Health Service had to undergo an extensive interview process to earn their traineeship positions.
“The interview process was thorough, to ensure we had a good calibre of trainees,” she said.
The panel comprised Deputy Principal of Moree High School Louise Murkin, Nurse Manager, Practice Development for Hunter New England Health Sue Brazil, TAFE Co-coordinator Kate Lockhart, Moree District Health Service Nurse Unit Manager Bronwyn Cosh and Moree District Health Service Manager Sally Clarke.
“We are fortunate to have wonderful diversity from both of our successful applicants, with one student completing training in an urban centre, and another hailing from the New England region,” Ms Clarke said.
“Ms French is a welcome addition to our Indigenous workforce, and I am sure she will provide a great level of care and commitment, particularly to our Indigenous patients, during the period of her traineeship,” she said.
The successful applicants will commence work at the hospital on Wednesday 19 April and will work for four hours a week alternating Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.
A formal sign-on day will occur on the Friday 11 April at 10am in the function room at Moree District Health Service.
Media are welcome to attend this event, as photo and interview opportunities will be available.
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 4921 4477