Ongoing quality training for practice managers
and staff in the Riverina
The Riverina Division of General Practice and Primary Health (Riverina Division) have worked with UNE Partnerships in delivering Practice Management workshops and staff training days to regional medical practices. Positive evaluations and feedback from participants have encouraged and fostered close ties between the two organisations, providing unique opportunities to healthcare practices within the Riverina.
Back Row; Dr Mark Stallwood (Academic Director, UNE Partnerships), Bronwyn Cole, Cherie Stockhill, Stacey Barklam, Denise Jones, Erin Slater, Gary Smith (Director, UNE Partnerships), Patricia Ballard. Front Row; Kim Terry, Sherif Gendy, Amanda Ruskin.
Financial assistance for people working in general practice was provided by the Riverina Division through individual scholarships over the past two years. According to Nancye Piercy, Chief Executive Officer of the Riverina Division, these scholarships offer support to practice staff undertaking qualifications and acknowledge their significant role in providing quality health management in the Riverina now and in the future
Through the Riverina Division, UNE Partnerships delivered the Diploma of Practice Management customised for Healthcare in five weekend workshops over 12 months. It was a great opportunity for practice management staff to meet their assessors, discuss course work, enhance existing knowledge and network with their peers.
“Completing the Diploma of Practice Management has added vision to the current medical practice work I am doing and has given me the qualifications and skills to plan for the future” commented one of the graduating students.
Highlighting the importance of management to practices within the region was an important goal set by the Riverina Division. Being able to offer nationally accredited qualifications with professional training in the area provides opportunities for those working within the medical industry to gain new skills and encourages new entrants into practice management.
Other opportunities have also been made available to those not able to attend the workshops, or wishing to complete other qualifications through distance learning. The Certificate III in Business (Medical Reception), another specialised qualification for medical practices, has been useful to many practices within the Riverina region.
A graduation ceremony was held earlier this year celebrating the commitment and dedication of five graduates who completed their Diploma of Practice Management, and six administrators who completed their Certificate III in Business (Medical Reception) through UNE Partnerships.
The Riverina Division looks forward to strengthening the partnership with UNE Partnerships in the future by offering ongoing quality training for practice managers and staff.
Compiled by Mandy Reid and Toni Preuss, Riverina Division of General Practice
