Bass Coast Health is offering staff - new and existing - exciting learning opportunities, with the creation of a dedicated professional development space at Wonthaggi Hospital.
The space simulates a ward and has beds, medical equipment and mannequins. Staff from BCH’s Learning and Development team, together with doctors, train staff and students in modern medical practices from resuscitation through to techniques in using equipment.
The space is a joint project of BCH, Federation University and Country Universities Centre. Known as a Clinical Lab, the space has been created in the former Emergency Department at the hospital.
“Bass Coast Health is dedicated to the professional development of existing staff, as well as new staff who join our growing team in a variety of clinical positions. They will all be offered the opportunity to regularly revise their core clinical skills as well as train to be abreast of contemporary practice, informed by the comprehensive knowledge of our Learning and Development staff,” BCH CEO Jan Child said.
Once the accreditation process is complete, the lab will also enable local first year nursing students to complete practical instruction at Wonthaggi, rather than travel to Federation University campuses at Churchill and Berwick, and to Melbourne hospitals.
The lab is an essential tool in not only expanding educational opportunities locally but also helping to grow BCH’s workforce, particularly with the hospital expansion and the Phillip Island Community Hospital opening in the future.
“The Clinical Lab is a simulated lab, currently located in the old ED, in which students and staff learn how to provide patient care and assessment,” Trina Coxon, Manager Learning and Development, said.
“There are simulated patient spaces, with mannequins, beds and consumables, and the lab is already being used by students already on placement here, as well as our staff. We provide training to staff in a contemporary clinical space so that they are aware of current procedures, such as resuscitation, and continue to keep our patients as safe as possible.”
Trina said the Clinical Lab would also help to fulfil BCH’s growing workforce needs in the future.
“We know that not all students have the financial and social resources to move to Melbourne for uni and this Clinical Lab will mean they can stay at home, keep their weekend job and still go to uni,” she said.
Students will be able to attend the Country Universities Centre (CUC) opposite the Wonthaggi Town Hall to view lectures via video-conferencing and join tutorials remotely.
“Bass Coast Health is a teaching health service and hopefully students who complete their training here will come back to do placements and graduate programs, and ultimately stay to work with us,” Trina said.
Andrea Evans-McCall, Centre Manager at CUC Bass Coast, said, “Undertaking education locally means students can maintain involvement in their local communities, part-time employment and stay connected to their support networks. CUC Bass Coast is very excited to be part of this partnership to enable local students to obtain higher education while living in our regional community.”
BCH offers an extensive training program to healthcare students and staff through the Learning and Development team.
Part of that team is Undergraduate Coordinator Mandie Heffernan, who looks after undergraduate nurses and allied health students on placement with BCH.
“I want to help increase the workforce here at Bass Coast Health. It’s about recruitment and retaining, and trying to get some really good quality graduates here within the next 12 months in time for the new hospital opening,” she said.
“We want to give the students a really positive experience so they will want to come back to us.
“Having the lab here is amazing as we can do some productive one-on-one training within a clinical environment.”
Mandie grew up in the Bass Coast and returned to the area with her family. She returns with a background in paediatrics, having worked at Monash Health with the Forensic Paediatric team to help police assess potential incidences of child abuse.
Student Nurses currently on placement are among those benefiting from the lab.
“Every single day we are learning something new and the staff have been open to sharing their knowledge with us,” Student Nurse Monica Pun said.