Amber combined study with paid work, gaining her Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance along with qualifications to instruct Studio Pilates.
No qualifications are required to step into Amber’s role, which involves working closely with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and district nurses.
The experience inspired Amber to pursue midwifery and maternal child health nursing, so she is heading west to study at Notre Dame university in 2025.
She will leave a gaping hole at Edenhope’s Health and Wellbeing HUB and is actively trying to recruit her own replacement.
“I have just loved the team at the HUB – they are so welcoming and efficient and care so much about the community,” Amber said.
“It’s exciting to sit around the lunch table as everyone comes up with new ideas and programs that will improve service delivery for the Edenhope community; clients are at the forefront of their minds, in everything they do.”
As she built up skills, Amber took charge of exercise groups, medical equipment fittings, a toy library for paediatric clients and regular day trips.
“You build up connections with clients, who you might see two or three times at week at appointments and exercise classes and day trips,” she said.
“I’ve met so many new people and developed so many new skills, it’s been the best experience.
“I was given plenty of time to do my study and, since I was learning all of that information on the job, that was really easy.”
Proving the role is “whatever you want to make it”, Amber was supported to pursue qualifications as a Pilates instructor; she successfully completed assessments in Adelaide and can now teach reformer and mat classes.
“It’s so flexible and all ideas are supported,” she said.
“It wasn’t until I worked alongside all of these health professionals that I got a sense of just how much they do and how broad it is.
“You get a taste of everything and that’s been my favourite part.”
Find more information about the role, and how to apply, here.
Grampians Health Edenhope is a one-stop shop for health care in the surrounding community and provides a range of on-site services or hosts visiting services. The aim is to provide as many services in the community as possible to minimise the amount of travel that people need to undertake to stay healthy.
Grampians Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate, the Wadawurrung, Djab wurrung, Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples, and their connections to land, waterways and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Grampians Health recognises and values the contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make in our society. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Grampians Health is committed to providing inclusive services and an inclusive working environment. We believe in equity of healthcare for all.
Grampians Health is a registered NDIS provider.