Rural and Remote incentives
In recognition of the unique challenges faced by Queensland Health allied health professionals in rural and remote areas, a number of professional development and enhancement programs are supported. These include:
- The Rural Scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to support students during full-time tertiary study in dietetics and nutrition, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology (clinical masters), occupational therapy, radiography, social work and speech pathology. Following graduation, scholarship holders are contracted to be employed by the Health Service Districts in rural health care facilities throughout the state, providing rural communities with essential health services.
- The Allied Health Professional Enhancement Program provides rural and remote allied health professionals with an opportunity to gain knowledge of, and experience in clinical areas relevant to their workplace, opportunities for sharing clinical knowledge, and developing networks beyond geographical boundaries and enhanced service coordination and continuity of care.
Professional development activities include:
- an individual or team of Allied Health Professionals from rural, remote or provincial areas may visit another service for up to one week
- an allied health professional from a metropolitan area may visit a rural or remote area for up to one week
- clinical activity via videoconference
- innovative applications such as development of training and resource packages
- The Rural Connect Mentor Program involves an experienced worker supporting two or three less experienced workers focusing on those new to the workforce, new to Queensland Health, or sole and/or isolated practitioners. The program aims to promote communication, enhance service delivery and improve recruitment and retention.
Rural Health Training Units run additional workshops, videoconferencing and audioconferencing and other professional development activities.
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