RBWH OT Graduates Isabella O’Brien and Brianna Pennells
The RBWH Occupational Therapy Graduate Trainee Program is providing OT graduates with the building blocks to a successful future career in the profession.
The program has now been running for 23 years and is highly competitive, with only two positions available each year. In 2021, the program received 74 applications for the two temporary roles thanks to the great reputation it has built in the industry.
The talented two graduates accepted into the program receive a 12-month position at RBWH which comprises of two six-month rotations.
RBWH Director Occupational Therapy Sue Laracy said the program is centred around three core values – supervision, support and education.
“Our learning package is scaffolding against the OT Standards for Graduates as determined by the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, with a range of learning opportunities and support provided to our graduates throughout the year,” she said.
“Formal supervision accompanied by peer assisted learning and person-centred goals allows our graduates to develop into well-rounded professionals.”
RBWH Occupation Therapist and 2021 OT Graduate Trainee Program participant Isabella O’Brien said her and fellow graduate Brianna Pennells had always wanted to work in an acute hospital setting and with RBWH being a tertiary teaching facility, the program offered the potential to accelerate their occupational therapy careers.
“Working at RBWH has been an incredible opportunity to learn alongside highly experienced and knowledgeable clinicians. All the staff have been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and it has been a wonderful culture to be a part of,” Isabella said.
“The highlight of working in the OT Graduate Trainee Programme has been the extensive range of opportunities offered to develop our clinical skills and knowledge, including training in burns, ICU, plastics, general medical and neurological caseloads.”
The future looks bright for our RBWH OT Graduate Trainee Program participants!