Physiotherapy cadetship provides headstart for Grace

For physiotherapy cadet Grace Newton, getting practical hands-on patient care experience has been the best way to learn and provided an invaluable insight into her career pathway.

Grace is currently undertaking a part-time physiotherapy cadetship at the Zillmere Residential Transition Care Program (RTCP).

“You feel like you’re making such a difference to people’s lives. Working closely with the elderly allows you to get great experience early on in your career,” she said.

“It has given me an opportunity to engage and use the knowledge I have gained through my studies.

“It is rewarding to get people home, especially elderly patients who are motivated and have been very active previously.”

Grace is a third year Australian Catholic University physiotherapy student, who has been working in the RTCP cadet role since February 2024.

“It has been great working with other allied health disciplines such as social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists,” she said.

“As part of my cadetship, I have been undertaking reconditioning classes, delivering gym-based programs, and doing initial assessments and supporting discharge assessments for patients.

“Being able to modify and adjust treatment plans for patients is allowing me to bring in my learnings and shown me how much I want to continue working with the elderly in a hospital setting.”

As part of her RTCP cadetship, Grace works two days a week, while studying at university the remaining three.

She works under the local physiotherapy team’s supervision to develop skills across a range of clinical tasks.

Due to the success of the RTCP physiotherapy cadetship this year and the positive impact on clinical service delivery, a new cadet will be employed next year.

In 2025, Grace will head into a busy year of clinical placements as part of her fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.

The RTCP supports older people discharged from hospital who require additional low intensity therapy to improve general function or help with a decision on their long-term aged care options.

Each year, health professionals like Grace care for around 600 elderly patients at the transition care facility.