2 June 2021
Article from April 2021 edition of INPractice
Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their health outcomes is a key priority of the ANMF (SA Branch) and now an exciting new education program is providing the opportunity to do just that!
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC), an ANMF service, is working closely with SALHN, Flinders Foundation, Baptist Care SA and the Department of Innovation and Skills to offer a Certificate III Individual Support as a pathway for Indigenous students in the southern suburbs. This will allow them to kickstart their career in health or further their studies through a Diploma of Nursing.
SALHN is committed to delivering the best possible health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and supporting opportunities for more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and health practitioners to deliver that care.
Following a formal application process, nine cadets with a diverse range of experiences have now commenced their training in the Certificate III Individual Support course.
In the long term, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients will benefit from access to care that is culturally appropriate and can be provided to them by fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This program is an important way to provide employment and education pathways that support increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce.
A SALHN spokesperson said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their hard work and dedication to this program. Everyone involved is passionate about achieving the same goal which is a fantastic support for our cadets".
Baptist Care SA, who is also partnering with SALHN and ANMEC to deliver this program, works collaboratively with South Australians from all walks of life who are doing it tough and supports them to achieve their life goals.
"This is so exciting for everyone! By working together we are able to support students as they embark on their careers. This coordinated approach will give everyone involved the right support, at the right time. The cadetship is a great service model that could be adapted to meet other industries" workforce needs - and other regions," says Baptist Care SA Southern Adelaide manager Carly Hamilton.
"One of the things (we're about) is empowering people through employment. We see this as a way to build people’s capacity to connect and access further opportunities.
“Baptist Care SA is an innovative, purpose-driven, faith-based organisation with over 100 years of developing and delivering innovative solutions to address social issues impacting vulnerable and marginalised groups in South Australia,’’ Ms Hamilton says.
“We have strong connections and networks with Aboriginal communities and deliver programs in metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula, Mt Gambier and Port Lincoln.’’
The health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is considerably poorer than any other group in Australia. While the life expectancy of non-Indigenous Australians has risen over the last three decades, the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples remains significantly lower. Hospitalisation rates for chronic and communicable diseases and mental health issues exceed those of non-Indigenous Australians across all age groups.
The ANMF believes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should have equitable access to nursing and midwifery education through an Australian Government commitment to further incentives and assistance to attract them to a career in nursing and midwifery.
“I think one of the biggest issues has been how do we support Aboriginal people who go through the health system if we don’t have staff who can really reflect culturally appropriate support? It’s about closing that gap,’’ Ms Hamilton said of the Certificate III.
“Our students see it as an opportunity to improve the health system and learn as well. We have a young woman who has moved to Adelaide from Whyalla. She’s only 17; she sees it as an opportunity to start a career in health, and potentially she might move back to serve in her own community.
“These students recognise this is something they need to address (bridging the gap). This coordinated project allows us to provide support, which is really about us doing culturally relevant case management and support for them.’’
The course at ANMEC runs for 11 weeks, with single stream students required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of work placement across both morning and afternoon shifts.
By the end of the course the students will be offered employment at SALHN as an Assistant in Nursing, and further supported into a career as an Enrolled Nurse. For some, this will provide a pathway to tertiary studies as a Registered Nurse.
“We’ll be working with them to make sure we can focus on their interests and also meet the needs of the workforce of SA Health. So, we’ll be trying to expose them to as many different areas as possible,’’ Ms Hamilton says “ANMEC has demonstrated a high level of skill and knowledge in the sector and understand how this cohort may need a different approach to how they deliver (the course) and support them.’’
Ms Hamilton says the students are very keen to pursue the Certificate III.
“I believe this will be a really beneficial partnership for us all and we’re very much looking forward to it.”
The next Certificate III Individual Support course starts 14 September 2021.
For more information or to register your interest visit: anmec.edu.au.