College of Health and Medicine

To meet the needs of students, staff and industry partners the Professional Experience Placement (PEP) website has been revitalised and now contains contemporary relevant resources, videos and testimonials from students and healthcare professionals, with a particular focus on rural and regional placements in Tasmania. This updated site has seen the visits to the website double this year, with the number of views increasing each day.

Promoting Rural and Regional Healthcare Practice: The PEP website

Exploring placements regionally – the Faculty of Health PEP website showcases the many rural and regional opportunities available to students throughout their course.  In addition, it provides students with anticipatory guidance as they consider their workplace options following graduation. The website contains real-life stories from healthcare practitioners and students – with the beautiful scenery of rural Tasmania in the background.

The Placement Experience tells the stories of University graduates: living from one end of the state to the other. Stories from colleagues in rural General Practice, Pharmacy and Exercise Physiology provide students with much required information as they prepare to undertake their placement experiences.  I loved listening to the anecdotes and relevant pre-placement guidance for students.  In particular the focus on lifestyle, sea change and love of rural community was inspiring.  The focus of each person interviewed was about ensuring accessibility of healthcare for all.

Their journey started similarly to that of psychology student Hannah Bird  (pictured) whose video speaks of her desire to practice in a regional area like where she grew up.

I get the sense that the website is about alleviating students’ anxiety prior to undertaking placement. I read the ‘8 survival tips’ which resonate with me in that I can take them to any new ‘work’ experience.  The tips include, for example, “Hang around for lunch -It’s nice for supervisors to get to know their students in a less formal environment and vice versa.”

For those students going to unfamiliar towns, you can explore the placement location before you get there, by undertaking a virtual tour. I’ve never been to Smithton, so I took a tour of the Smithton District Hospital, and dropped in at the Nurse’s Station.

Having once been a poor university student, I have often wondered how students can afford to undertake a regional placement. So I was glad to read that the University’s Centre for Rural Health offers accommodation and financial assistance for students going on placements in regional and rural areas.

For the supervisors – it is not just about what is required for their students undertaking PEP, it’s also about preparation for the role of teacher, mentor and coach. The website provides wonderful resources for all supervisors with links to contemporary resources, PEP blog and Twitter feed.

The rural and regional areas are also supported by ‘Whole of Community Facilitators’ who provide learning and teaching support to supervisors and students. You can meet them by visiting this section.

The website is not just about the stories, it’s about providing important information to students before they enter the healthcare environment.  Students are asked to consider their ‘Safety in Practice’ requirements. Compliance requirements are now introduced to the students as “starting your career as a health professional.”

“The compliance process is there to protect you and the people you care for. It ensures that you are safe to practice and helps to ensure that you will remain safe in practice.”

For me that is what health care is all about – focusing on safety and delivering the best possible care whilst living in this beautiful state of ours.

– Sheree Keech