This is an issue that Occupational Therapy student Lily Kennedy knows all too well but fortunately for her, she’s been able to avoid that stress, working as an Allied Health assistant at GV Health.
Now in the second year of her degree, Miss Kennedy started her journey at GV Health in its gap-year program, which led her to take on the casual Allied Health assistant role in her first year of university.
The flexible work hours of the position allow her to work around her university schedule during the semester and pick up more days during holidays.
On top of that, the role also allowed her to have a head start in her industry, for which she’s thankful.
“It’s prepared me like you would not believe. I'm learning the practical skills here and then I'm able to learn theory at university and bring it all together,” Miss Kennedy said.
“It starts to make more sense a lot earlier than I guess the other people who I go to university with, because I've got such an advantage being able to learn on the job here. It's been a great experience being able to do this.”
Working as a student Allied Health assistant usually means working in the student’s discipline of study in a multidisciplinary team. There can be opportunities to work with other disciplines too.
“I work under an OT or the physio, and they give us a list of patients to see and a program that we run through with them, or we help them with the patient so you get to spend that one-on-one time with the people that you're working with,” Miss Kennedy said.
Matthew Calleri has been working as a physiotherapist at GV Health for five years but before that, he started out as an Allied Health assistant at GV Health while studying.
“I found it very beneficial because once I started full-time work, I knew the environment and the people and I could hit the ground running. I developed professional skills from working alongside other health professionals earlier than you would,” Mr Calleri said.
“It’s a great opportunity to get your foot in the door and you’re getting experience. As a student, I think that's invaluable, as it really opens your eyes up to what the profession is whilst allowing you to grow those fundamental skills of being a professional in this environment.”
GV Health is currently hiring casual Allied Health assistants, targeted at students in an Allied Health discipline at university.
If you’re interested in applying for this role, visit its recruitment site at jobs.gvhealth.org.au
