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Blood is red, veins are blue - workforce planning almost too good to be true
Ramsay Health Care’s Greenslopes Private Hospital (GPH) and TAFE Queensland are celebrating 10 years of working together.
By TAFE Queensland
The collaboration, initially started as a workforce planning strategy in April 2008, and has since produced more than 600 nursing staff.
The partnership was designed to address the skills shortages in the health sector and provide Ramsay with the well-trained, highly-motivated employees the company needs to operate efficiently.
In July 2018, TAFE Queensland will commence training the 22nd group of Enrolled Nurses.
TAFE Queensland - Gold Coast Region Director of Faculty CSH and Nursing, Executive Leader Health and Nursing, Deb Blow said that over 10 years the two organisations have worked together to deliver the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115), and have expanded the arrangement to include Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (HLT33115) and an Advanced Diploma of Nursing (HLT64115) specifically developed and tailored for Greenslopes Private Hospital staff requirements.
“Greenslopes Private Hospital has always been innovative in implementing strategies for planning its future workforce and as a result has seen a greater utilisation of the Enrolled Nurse workforce,” she said.
GPH is renowned as a world-class tertiary and teaching hospital with a comprehensive range of inpatient and day services. It is also well recognised as a leader in research in the private health care sector in Australia and is the only private hospital to boast a fully-fledged clinical school on campus.
Terry McLaren, Director of Clinical Services at Greenslopes Private Hospital said the integrated model of training on offer at GPH prepares students for the reality of a career in health care.
“Hospital employees contribute significantly to the theoretical and clinical learning of the students throughout the duration of the training program.
“The students have the opportunity to rotate through areas and gain valuable experience through exposure in clinical areas as opposed to block placement. Students also get to know the staff and understand the culture of the hospital, which we believe improves their ability to ‘hit the ground running’ when they graduate.
“GPH nursing staff mentor the students and include them as part of the nursing team. We find this of great value as the student nurses grow, qualify and then become permanent employees,” said Ms McLaren.
A graduate transition program is provided after graduation to ensure a smooth transition to the GPH workforce.
The success of the relationship has seen Ramsay Health Care and TAFE Queensland form a partnership agreement for the State. The partnership program includes a range of clinical and non-clinical qualifications for new and existing workers in areas such as intravenous medications, mothers and babies and Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAE40116).
Workforce development planning is vital to the sustainable growth of any business. TAFE Queensland’s expert team can work with you to create a workforce development plan that will underpin the success of your company.