Making a career choice is always much more informed if you can be part of the relevant workplace and that’s exactly what Chinchilla high school students are doing tomorrow as part of the annual Aspire2Health program.
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, Queensland Rural Medical Education (QRME), Griffith University, University of Queensland Rural Clinical School Toowoomba and University of Southern Queensland, along with Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), have partnered to deliver a series of “Aspire2Health” workshops across the Darling Downs and South West. The collaboration has also had support from the Darling Downs West Moreton Primary Health Network (DDWMPHN).
SQRH Director Associate Professor Geoff Argus said the Aspire2Health program targeted high school students who are interested in working in medicine, nursing or allied health and gives them a full immersion into regional and rural healthcare.
“We have been fortunate to work with all the stakeholders to present a comprehensive and inspirational learning day for students.
“The workshop gives regional, rural and remote high school students the opportunity to experience some aspects of healthcare delivery in a practical sense. The students participate in clinical skills stations on plastering, suturing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and various allied health skills.
“During the day workshop students also meet local health professionals and have a hands-on session during a simulated scenario of patient care.
“At Chinchilla there are a total of 15 year 10 students taking part in Aspire2Health and all have expressed an interest in a health career. The schools involved include Chinchilla State High School and Chinchilla Christian College.
“Research has shown that students who come from a rural area are more likely to return to practice rurally so bringing these workshops to regional and rural Southern
Queensland creates a pathway for health career choices and eventually emerging rural health professionals,” he said.
QRME CEO Megan O’Shannessy said Aspire2Health had been designed to reflect the huge diversity in health careers and could prompt students to embark on a life-changing pathway.
“These students will finish the day knowing much more about the various health careers available, what university courses are on offer and how they navigate their learning journey.
“We’re keen to meet and talk to the students – they are potentially the next generation of health professionals who will build the health system of the future,” she said.
Attention media representatives:
You are invited to attend a photo/vision/interview opportunity:
Location: Chinchilla TAFE Campus, 9 Zeller Street
Date and Time: Tuesday September 8, 2020, at 12.15pm
For media inquiries, please contact:
SONIA WOOD – SQRH Senior Communications Officer
P 0437 029 792
E sonia.wood@uq.edu.au
FIONA BRYCE – QRME Media Officer
P 0400 029 258
E f.bryce@qrme.org.au
