North-West health professionals have been sharing their skills with year 9 students at the University of Tasmania.
The Rural Clinical School enlisted the support of a diverse range of health professionals to deliver its annual Year 9 Health Careers workshop at the Mersey Community Hospital on Friday, 29 June.
The initiative allowed more than 50 young participants interested in health careers to experience several occupations during a day-long learning session.
Students tried their hand at administering fillings, put on scrubs and gloves to perform a simulated surgery session, and used health equipment to look at eyes and take blood.
They also learnt how to practise first aid, make pharmaceutical hand creams, check blood pressure and examine hand hygiene with the help of glow gel.
Dr Lizzi Shires, Director of the Rural Clinical School, said the program benefited students by providing them with practical experiences and professional guidance.
“Students take part in simulated scenarios with a broad range of health professions in a setting that is both fun and educational,” Dr Shires said.
“They are encouraged to ask questions to find out what the different occupations are really like. Students also learn about steps and requirements that are needed to reach their career goals.”
Participants sampled assorted healthcare careers that included medicine, physiotherapy, radiography, optometry, psychology, paramedics, nursing, podiatry, oral health, social work, nutrition and dietetics, and speech pathology.
The program will also be delivered in Burnie on Wednesday, 4 July.
