Community engagement

Community Engagement forms an integral part of the Rural Clinical School's mission to work with the community to raise awareness of health and health careers.

Throughout each academic year we deliver a number of interactive learning programs on site and at local schools, covering aspects of health education and allowing participants to explore future health careers. We also provide health checks and lifestyle advice at events across the region. RCS Community Engagement initiatives are led by medical students with the support of our staff educators

View our Health Careers events below

School programs

The Rural Clinical School offers health education programs for local primary, high school and college students, designed to raise their interest and awareness of health and health careers.

Medical students lead engaging hands-on activities which allow young participants to learn in a fun and informative setting. The programs align with the national curriculum and can be delivered at the RCS Burnie and Mersey campuses, or at participating schools.

Download our flyers for more information about these initiatives:

Health Careers

Our Health Careers programs are tailored to high school and college students considering a career in the health sector, who would benefit from practical exercises and knowledge of pathways that towards a health occupation.

Year 10 Health Careers Practical Skills Workshops

The Year 10 Health Careers Practical Skills workshops are day-long programs offered at our Burnie and Mersey campuses annually, giving students an opportunity to learn and practise essential skills used by health professionals.

Each workshop is divided into simulation stations. Participants receive an initial presentation from medical students, before working in teams to apply problem-solving techniques in hands-on scenarios. Health stations allow students to practise responding to casualties in an emergency, administering first aid, making a medical diagnosis by piecing together clues, learning how to take blood, checking blood pressure and understanding chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

The workshops also share information about the University of Tasmania’s higher education courses in health, and what steps and subjects Year 10 students need to take during their college years in pursuit of a health career.

In 2024, we will hold our Year 10 Health Careers event in Mersey on May 22nd, and in Burnie on 5th June.

If you are interested in attending, please ask your school's Careers Advisor or Grade Coordinator for more information.

Year 9 Health Careers Workshops

The Year 9 Health Careers Workshops are facilitated annually at our Burnie and Mersey campuses. Each day-long program is delivered by Rural Clinical School staff, students and local health workers to allow participants to discover a number of health professions.

Students elect their chosen health careers and in groups, experience simulated scenarios in Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Radiography, Oral health, Optometry, Social work, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Paramedicine, Environmental health and Speech Pathology.

Activities include administering fillings, dressing in gloves, gowns and masks to perform surgery using hospital equipment, suturing techniques, maternity nursing delivery procedures, applying first aid and resuscitation, taking blood pressure, and applying dressings to wounds.

In 2024, we will hold our Year 9 Health Careers event in Burnie on 8th August, and Mersey on 26th September.

If you are interested in attending, please ask your school's Careers Advisor or Grade Coordinator for more information.

Year 10, 11 & 12 Health Careers Evenings

Each year, the RCS hosts an informal evening event at each Burnie and Mersey for local high school and college students, their parents/caregivers and other individuals interested in a health career to engage with University of Tasmania staff, local health professionals and current students.

This information session comprises of short presentations from University of Tasmania staff from a range of health disciplines followed by an expo where attendees can learn more about the University’s courses, accommodation services and scholarships. Attendees can then engage in one-on-one conversations with representatives from local health services about what their career can look like.

For more information, please download the flyers:

Mersey - 6th March 2024

Burnie - 7th March 2024

Or, ask your school's Careers Advisor or Grade Coordinator for more information.

Community Advisory Board

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) is the vital link between the Rural Clinical School and the North-West’s communities.

This strong community partnership supports fourth- and final-year medical students to experience professional placements across the region in general practice, aged care, pharmacy, and at local health centres while completing their Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery degree.

CAB comprises of nominees from federal and local government, the Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania College of Health and Medicine, and North-West community representatives.

Chaired by Professor Ben Canny, Head of the University’s Tasmanian School of Medicine, meetings are held bi-annually rotating between Burnie and rural communities to discuss the availability of resources, student travel, accommodation, remote placements and new learning opportunities. CAB also functions to build collaborative and strategic relationships for the RCS.

Current representatives of the Community Advisory Board are:

Associate Professor Tim Strong – College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania
Professor Lizzi Shires – Rural Clinical School
Sarah Jordan – Business Manager – Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program
Kayla Millhouse – Rural Clinical School
Brooklyn Jaxx - Rural Clinical School
Rural Clinical School Year 4 & 5 Student representatives
Federal government representative
Chris Walpole – West Coast representative
Joanne Francis – West Coast representative

Cr Chris Lynch – Burnie City Council
Dr Tony Barnett – Centre for Rural Health
Cr Penny Lane – Kentish Council
Cr Lesley Young – Latrobe Council
Mayor Daryl Quilliam – Circular Head Council
Deputy Mayor Dr Mary Duniam – Waratah-Wynyard Council
Mayor Annette Rockliff – Devonport City Council
Melissa Budgeon – Central Coast Council representative