STAFF WRITERS
GIPPSLAND jobseekers are being encouraged to take a up a new traineeship to enter into secure work at Latrobe Regional Health.
A new non-clinical graduate program is being run in partnership with LRH and TAFE Gippsland to provide trainees with all the skills and support they need to enter the hospital’s essential workforce.
The free TAFE traineeship will up-skill graduates for jobs in non-clinical services such as catering, kitchen and café, cleaning and environmental services, information technology (IT) and administration.
LRH executive director education, research and quality Anita Raymond said non-clinical staff make a significant contribution to patient care.
“We don’t often consider all of the work that goes on behind the scenes at a hospital like LRH. Our catering staff prepare more than 1000 meals a day and our IT team is responsible for the maintenance of hundreds of computers and multiple systems carrying patient data and records. Our hospital would not be able to function with them,” Ms Raymond said.
“The non-clinical graduate program puts a value on the skills required for non-clinical positions across LRH. It’s an opportunity to learn and work, regardless of your age, employment status or educational qualifications.”
The new program builds on an existing, successful partnership with TAFE Gippsland which has previously resulted in the recruitment and training of enrolled nurses.
TAFE Gippsland Head of Department Health and Professional Services Vanessa Marsh said partnerships with industry were key to ensuring TAFE Gippsland provided courses that led to employment.
“We are looking forward to assisting LRH with a graduate program that will build on their workforce capability in the non-clinical area of the organisation,” she said.
The non-clinical graduate program has so far attracted 15 trainees in IT and Health Services Assistants.
LRH has appointed a non-clinical trainer and trainees are provided with a mentor to help them with their studies and induct them into the hospital.
Graduates have the opportunity to secure full-time work at the end of the program.
Trainee Matt Page has started learning the ropes in the IT department along with five other students.
Matt was working in a supermarket when he decided to enrol in the program and jump on the chance to follow his passion.
“I’ve always had a passion for technology but I never knew how to get my foot in the door for a job in the field. When this opportunity came up, I thought I had to go for it,” he said.
