Career ProfilesCareer ProfilesHealthWorking in health: There are obviously a wide range of occupations within the sector, with the most common being medical practice, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Health professionals are found in private practice, hospitals and other public and private organisations, including nursing homes, surgeries, community health centres and clinics, the Defence Forces and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Many graduates begin their careers in the public health system, expanding their skills and knowledge base before moving into a community setting or private practice. Working in a large institution gives graduates broad experience and the opportunity to work closely with other health professionals. Private practice is becoming more popular as a long-term career option, as it offers greater control and flexibility in hours, and the opportunity for practitioners to apply their own approaches to treatment. However, multidiscipline clinics that bring together a range of health professionals (GPs, psychologists, naturopaths, etc.) are becoming increasingly common. A shortage of doctors, nurses and other primary care professionals is expected to increase over the coming decade. The industry... A large, growing and complex sector, both in Australia and New Zealand, the health industry is made up of a range of organisations providing a variety of services to the public. The occupational composition within the health industry is primarily made up of medical and dentistry services, hospitals and nursing homes. What you need... For many health-related occupations, graduates must gain registration with the relevant associated board before being permitted to practise. For example, physiotherapists must register with the Physiotherapists Registration Board in their state or territory in Australia, or the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board in New Zealand. Other disciplines, such as medicine, medical imaging technology, nuclear medicine technology and radiation therapy, generally require graduates to undertake a year of clinical practise before they are eligible for registration. Entry into some specialisations requires postgraduate study, hospital experience and the passing of examinations that lead to membership of the appropriate professional college. Registration requirements for nurses vary from state to state; see the following websites for details:
To excel in the health sector, technical skills are no longer enough. Effective and considerate interpersonal skills are crucial to ensure that patients’ needs and concerns are being met and to maintain good working relations with other professionals. Some positions have other requirements. For example, physiotherapists need to be physically fit; and health professionals who plan to eventually move into their own practice need good business management skills. Money matters... The health sector encompasses a large and diverse range of occupations, for which salaries differ markedly. Four of the more common occupations are nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. In 2006, the Australian Graduate Survey showed half of all bachelor graduates employed full-time as nurses were earning between $36,000 and $42,000, four to six months after completing their qualifications. This applies to all registered nurses, including those working in the areas of mental health and developmental disability. While the survey showed the equivalent range for unregistered pharmacy graduates was $30,000-$36,000, further research indicates salaries for pharmacy graduates increase by an average of over 90 per cent in the year after registration (registration usually occurs after one year in the workforce). Approximately half of all new bachelor graduates working as occupational therapists in 2006 earned $40,900-$44,000, while the equivalent range for those working as physiotherapists was $42,000-$45,000. For current salary figures go to www.gradsonline.com.au The lifestyle factor... The lifestyle can vary greatly between occupations and specialisations in the health sector. Many health professionals, especially those working in hospitals, are required to work shifts and be on-call for emergencies. Public hospitals tend to be high-pressure workplaces, and employees are required to cope with strict health budgets and high patient expectations. Health professionals hold people’s lives and wellbeing in their hands, significantly adding to stress levels. General practitioners usually have the opportunity to work flexible hours, as most work in their own practice. Despite this, many work long and irregular hours and can be on-call around the clock for emergencies. Allied health professionals can often enjoy reasonably flexible working hours, which can be convenient for those combining work with childcare. Snapshot... There are shortages of many health professionals, particularly nurses and medical imaging specialists, which are projected to continue. With an ageing population, demand on health services will increase. The statistics:
Figures from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Statistics New Zealand. The experts say...
“Workforce projections suggest an absolute fall in GP full-time equivalents (FTEs) over the next decade. This reduction is not just due to the ‘feminisation’ of the workforce but also to younger doctors wishing to work fewer hours and the retirement of practitioners from the ‘baby boomer’ generation.”
“I chose dental hygiene because of the great earning potential and the employment rate – which is effectively 100 per cent. Very high employment rates are something you get right across the health sector in fact. The hours are very good in dentistry too. You’re not obliged to work much overtime.” This article was taken from Graduate Opportunities 07/08 © 2007 Graduate Careers Australia. |
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