New grads addressing rural health inequalities

New grads addressing rural health inequalities

“I have a voice and I’m determined to use it”

Entering the workforce as a new graduate is daunting. All the theory, prac and study sometimes feels like smoke and mirrors when you’re finally out there working your dream job.

Entering the workforce as a new graduate is daunting. All the theory, prac and study sometimes feels like smoke and mirrors when you’re finally out there working your dream job. Add to the mix entering the workforce as an allied health clinician and being responsible for the wellbeing of real people, the stress of being a new graduate can make or break people.

For Ella, now an Occupational Therapist in the ‘real world’, the move from graduate to clinician was supported through Marathon Health’s New Graduate Program – an initiative created to bridge health inequalities by retaining a strong allied health workforce through upskilling and support.

“The program ran over three months and I learnt the real world skills I needed to do my job. Today, my managers have become my mentors. They’re very aware of new grad burn out and actively take steps to reduce that feeling,” Ella said.

A study by Rural and Remote Health1 highlighted recruitment pathways for allied health students’ transition to the workforce as being vague and interrupted. Combined with social isolation and financial burden, graduates can be discouraged from working in rural health – the area most needing their support.

“Delivering health services in rural and remote areas can be really challenging, but Marathon Health’s clinicians are passionate and excited to come to work. I’ve had the chance to learn from clinical leaders who are experienced, knowledgeable and supportive.”

With the limited resources, vast distances to travel and varied case load – working in regional health can certainly deter new graduates. However, through the support of programs like Marathon Health’s New Graduate Program, new clinicians are confidently filling the allied health workforce shortages in country areas, supporting people who would otherwise not have the care they need.

“I’m passionate about reducing health inequality by bringing services to people. Something I didn’t anticipate was how grateful communities are for health services. I feel appreciated by the people, communities and even other organisations, every single day.”

So why consider country health when you first start as clinician? Why choose Marathon Health to help you begin your journey? Because, to put it simply, country Australians need you.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report that ‘on average, Australians living in rural and remote areas have shorter lives, higher levels of disease and injury and poorer access to, and use of, health services compared with people living in metropolitan areas’ (AIHW, 2022).

“Working rurally and remotely we have a much louder voice to impact real change for the communities we live in, I’ve experienced this even as a new grad! As our team also live in country Australia, we’re perfectly positioned to identify the health inequalities and do something about them.”

If you’re ready to make a difference and start your career in allied health with a team of clinical leaders, experienced and passionate clinicians and mentors.