‘Culturally competent’: North West Hospital and Health Service tries new hiring tactic with ‘Deadly Start’
A Mount Isa-based health service is hoping to employ more Indigenous high school students by adopting ‘culturally safe’ traineeships. See how it works.
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A new initiative to provide ‘culturally safe’ paid workplace experience and traineeships for Indigenous high school students is being launched in Mount Isa.
The program – called Deadly Start – will be run by the North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) with the Spinifex State College.
Indigenous high school students from Mount Isa, Doomadgee, Dajarra and Normanton are involved in the inaugural program.
It’s hoped the new training tactic will lead to an increase in the amount of local Indigenous people in the healthcare workforce.
North West HHS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health executive director Christine Mann said the service already welcomed eight students into the program earlier this year, supported by a liaison officer.
“We are confident these young individuals will emerge as exceptional professionals in their chosen fields,” Ms Mann said.
“The Deadly Start program is an integral part of our commitment to building a future workforce that is representative, culturally competent, and focused on improving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who still persistently experience poorer health than other community members.”
The inaugural eight students have already completed their Certificate II in Health Support Services, and recently finished all three ‘block placements’.
They are now commencing a Cert III in either Health Services Administration, Allied Health Assistance or Dental Assistance, where they will undertake one day of on-the-job training per week.
“We are excited to see these students develop their skills, knowledge and confidence,” Ms Mann said.
“And we look forward to offering them ongoing employment opportunities with North West HHS.”
Spinifex Senior College senior schooling department head Prue Pocock said the new program is fantastic and an excellent pathway to a healthcare career for First Nations students.
Deadly Start is run in partnership with Metro North HHS, Connect ‘n’ Grow, and the Seed Foundation Australia.
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Originally published as ‘Culturally competent’: North West Hospital and Health Service tries new hiring tactic with ‘Deadly Start’
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