The first allied health professional to be recruited under the Rockliff Liberal Government’s $1.125 million Allied Health Scholarship Program has commenced work with the Tasmanian Health Service in Burnie.
Graduate Radiation Therapist Caitlin Chong began working at the North West Cancer Centre in August, relocating from Victoria following the successful completion of her training in radiation therapy.
Caitlin’s scholarship is the first of 45 on offer across 10 allied health professions that will be allocated in the coming months to provide a workforce boost on the ground in areas experiencing workforce shortages.
The program targets students across a range of hard-to-fill allied health professions, including Psychology, Radiation Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Speech Pathology, Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Radiography.
As part of the scholarship, graduates receive an initial payment of $15,000 to support their study fees with a further $10,000 payment made upon completing three years of service in the Tasmanian Health Service.
Meeting Caitlin at the North West Cancer Centre on Thursday, Minister for Health Guy Barnett said it was fantastic to see the scholarship program already helping to attract top allied health graduates and boost key services for Tasmanians.
“We know Tasmania’s enviable lifestyle means it is one of the best places in the world to live and work – and this generous scholarship initiative makes staying in or moving to our State after studying more attractive,” said Minister Barnett.
“Our Government’s Allied Health Scholarship is attracting significant interest from top graduates from across Australia, so we look to forward to welcoming many more allied health professionals like Caitlin to our health system.
“Importantly the program will ensure we get the health professionals we need across the State, particularly in the North West.
“The scholarship program builds on our Government’s efforts to grow and retain its own Allied Health workforce in Tasmania.
“We have also invested $6 million in the Allied Health Education and Training Program, which aims to grow capacity for additional professional experience placements for University of Tasmania students and is critical to supporting the University’s new allied health courses and a sustainable supply of local graduates.”
The Rockliff Liberal Government is sticking to its long-term plan by delivering the healthcare services and workforce Tasmanians needs.
