What tasks does your job include? What do you love about your job the most?

My role as an Indigenous Administrative Officer Trainee incorporates a variety of different tasks. At the commencement of my traineeship, I was in the main administrative office for the Women’s and Children’s Clinic mainly doing scanning and general administration duties. I also assisted the front receptionist and booking officers in my area with uploading patient information, as well as managing appointments. I am currently two months into my traineeship and have been trained to cover the switch job. I now personally deal with patients through phone calls, as well as face-to-face interaction.

Due to my prior traineeship and qualifications I completed at school, I had strong knowledge of how important confidentiality and workplace health and safety is within an organisation. This has been very beneficial in my current role as I have had to implement this within the health setting every day. In addition, I’ve been able to gain more clinical and medical knowledge as I deal with midwives, nurses and doctors very often. I frequently have the opportunity to assist in the booking side of antenatal classes, and other clinical administration areas. The most rewarding aspect about my role is working closely with clinical staff. Everyone is so lovely and I’m gaining so much medical knowledge from them which allows me to be more involved with the patients and being able to assist them in any possible way I can.

What was your study journey to get this job?

My study journey so far has been completing schooling at Kirwan State High School, where I graduated from Year 12 in 2018. Throughout my time at Kirwan I also completed a range of vocational courses including a Certificate II in Health Support Services, Certificate II in Community Services and Certificate III in Health Services Assistance through the RTO, Connect n Grow. In 2018 I was fortunate to get a Traineeship through Seed Foundation at Northern Australia Primary Health Limited that correlated with my Certificate III in Health Services Assistance qualification.

This opportunity allowed me to expand my administration skills as well as gain knowledge and experience working with a diverse group of staff from dietitians, refugee nurses and Indigenous support workers. This furthered my passion towards the health industry, my Indigenous culture and becoming an advocate for closing the gap within my school community, traineeship and personal life. I worked extremely hard throughout high school, especially in my final year, and I maintained high levels of achievements within my studies in school, traineeship achievements, as well as extra-curricular achievements. This was evident as I was awarded the School-based Trainee of the Year Award and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year for the North Queensland Training Awards. I was then successful in receiving an award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year for Queensland. My dedication and determination, as well as the amazing support I received has allowed me to further my studies within the health administration field, as I’m one of four new Indigenous trainees within the hospital completing a Certificate III in Business. To date I have already gained so much experience within Queensland Health and I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and am loving it so far.

What are your future plans for work and study?

My future study plans are to excel and further my studies within the health industry, as the need for learning for me is constant and never-ending. I aspire to complete a Certificate IV or a diploma within health as the training opportunities are endless. My goal is to become an Indigenous Health Worker or an Indigenous Support Worker. This is my main goal, as I wish to help close the gap within the Indigenous community and become a role model for the younger generations to come.

What is one thing about your study and/or job that you would love to share with people considering this career?

My advice to people considering the health or administration industry is to go for it! The employment and study opportunities are endless and 100% rewarding. I know through my experience to date I’ve constantly had exposure to new information and been able to balance a work and study life. Queensland Health especially is amazing, as they support you in every possible way, within your everyday work life, and encourage you to achieve your goals and further your study. It’s an industry that allows you to grow as an individual both personally and professionally, as well as becoming a part of a team. If you work hard there are endless opportunities which can open doors to future employment.