High school students help to fill healthcare gaps as rural hospital battles staff shortages

A rural hospital in northern Victoria is trying something different to try to attract young workers and fill staff shortages.

Boort District Health Service has started hiring local high school students for after-school shifts.

The junior staff work in the hospital cafe, serve food to aged care residents, work in reception, and help with maintenance and cleaning.

They can also assist nurses and allied health workers on the wards.

Recent high school graduate Macy Grogan wants to be an occupational therapist after working at the hospital. 

“I’ve always wanted to help people. Working here I’ve realised I definitely do want to follow down that path,” she said.

She also wants to come back and work in Boort, a trend the town hopes to see more of. 

“I’ll definitely work somewhere like Boort. I think community is so important,” she said.

“I’ve grown up in such a strong, tight-knit community. So I’ve really seen the potential that we have. So I’ll definitely come back to work and help improve our communities.”

Hopes for ‘homegrown’ workers

CEO Donna Doyle said the shifts had proved so popular, the health service has extended it and employed more, with some working longer shifts over the school holidays. 

“It started with three or four students; now we have 12,” she said.

“We had a COVID outbreak in the lead-up to Christmas, which was really devastating. But the junior staff were able to come in and fill a gap, they delivered meals to rooms.”

Battling ongoing staff shortages, Boort District Health has had five full-time nurse positions to fill for more than a year. 

It has hired one nurse from the UK since the borders reopened, but is still looking for alternatives to find healthcare workers who want to work in the rural town.

“Workforce is an ongoing issue, recruitment and retention is an ongoing issue,” Ms Doyle said.

Ms Doyle said the school shifts had inspired local young people to pursue a career in healthcare and come back to work in their home town. 

“It might just give them an idea that it’s a great place to work or there are great career opportunities.”

Student finds calling

Before he started working at the hospital, Alec Velleley had no idea what he wanted to do for work. 

“I didn’t exactly have a plan when I started working here,” he said. 

“I had never considered working as a barista, so it’s opened that doorway.”

Now, hospital staff refer to him as the best barista in town. 

“I’ve learnt how to make a coffee and I’ve learnt people skills. Working in a small community is fun,” he said. 

For aspiring occupational therapist Macy Grogan, she had learnt important, practical skills in other parts of the hospital, including with the allied health workers in the hospital. 

“I mostly work in aged care, sometimes in acute, but I’ve also done laundry, the kitchen, and other things,” Ms Grogan said. 

Watching her mum works as an allied health assistant at the hospital had not deterred her from choosing a career in healthcare, or working in a small town. 

“I’ve grown up around people who help people. I’ve learned from what Mum does, always helping out with little jobs,” she said.

“I’ve seen every part of it — having little or no staff. I think it’s important people get out to these communities.”