Friday the 21st of June saw the launch of Ascension Education’s Allied Health Pathways Program, hosted by Cannon Hill Anglican College. Twenty-four eager CHAC students seized the opportunity to experience what a career in an allied health field could look like, and where it could take them; exploring disciplines like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, social work, and speech pathology. The program also covered a range of other health disciplines, including nursing, pharmacy, and paramedicine; and was expertly presented by Brynlea Kelly, who is a current nursing student with extensive workplace placement experience.
Practical activities such as blood pressure measurement and administering examinations like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were highlights of the day for students. After exploring more than 15 health disciplines, students took part in an extended patient-care simulation by role playing a variety of allied health clinicians in the context of a multidisciplinary team with their peers.
The day was of significant benefit to students in a time of life full of important decisions, with an average increase in how prepared they felt to make tertiary education decisions of 61%. Students rated both the program and their presenters 8.7 out of 10. Here is some of the feedback that students provided following the day:
“I really enjoyed getting advice and talking about the career options I am interested in with people who are experienced in the [Allied Health] field. The activities were really engaging, and I really enjoyed the simulated multidisciplinary team activity”
- Helena.
“[A highlight was] the practical activities. I wish the program went for longer!” - Riana
“It was helpful to hear detailed information on each of the career paths available [in Allied Health]” - Oliver
“I enjoyed learning what allied health is like in real life. [It was helpful to learn] that if I don’t make the cut straight after school there are other pathways in.” - Emma
“It was great to learn about university options, how to get into these courses, … [and] what study is like” - Jenna
The Allied Health program will run again this Friday the 28th of June as one of five programs being delivered for students at Lourdes Hill College. You can read more about the LHC programs here. Limited spaces are still available for LHC students, who are able to register for the upcoming programs here.