When you think life is finding some form of normality from drought, fire and flood…..the pandemic hits.

I think we can all agree that 2020 has certainly shown us the unexpected. Pre COVID-19, our rural community in South West Queensland, like most of the country, has faced challenges. However, those challenges have proven that we are a resilient bunch. At the end of 2019, South West Qld was declared drought stricken for over the past 10years. While we watched on in horror, as parts of the southern country was burning, in February 2020 our community braced for flood. When you think life is finding some form of normality from drought, fire and flood …..the pandemic hits.

My Story

In May 2009, I started my journey as a medical receptionist. Having diligently worked my way up to Office Manager in 2012. I was offered the Practice Managers position in June 2016 and was appointed in July 2016. With this, I was motivated to become a student again and therefor commenced my BSB40215 Certificate IV in Business (Practice Management) to gain knowledge and develop skills to manage the operations of a general practice. Working full time and a being a mother to two children, I felt as though the freedom to study was perhaps behind me. Starting this journey with UNEP was the best decision I had made with the need to accomplish something for myself – proving to myself and to my family that I could achieve my goal. I completed the certificate in June 2017.

I recognise that learning is an ongoing process not only for my professional growth but also for my personal growth and achievements.  Education to expand knowledge is rewarding. In 2019, I once again went into study mode with UNEP. I commenced a Diploma of Professional Practice Leadership with the hope to enhance my ability to perform key roles, delegate responsibilities to other team members and to also work effectively within an evolving primary health care environment.

As COVID-19 struck, my role changed overnight from horizon scanning and strategic planning to focusing on safeguarding the wellbeing of staff and patients. My action list changed on an hourly basis as more information and guidance were received daily. Like so many other parents around the country I was also figuring out how to juggle life.  I was working full-time at the practice and home schooling my children whilst continuing to study. I won’t lie, the pressure was huge with the amount of extra responsibilities. Having a schedule was very important and helped. As a Leader, a mother, a student I knew I had to keep on keeping on, knowing that with the support from a fabulous working team, a united family, and the knowledge and information resources already gained from my studies that I would get through.

In March 2020, an early action for the leadership team was to set up a red zone to see patients suffering from Covid-19 symptoms in a separate building and a green zone for routine appointments within our main site. In the practice, we focus on core general practice, complex patients and others who require urgent care. Social distancing measures were put in place quickly within the practice. Waiting room chairs were moved to enable two-metre distancing and where possible, staff were allocated laptops and sent to work from home, whilst maintaining frequent communication with fellow staff members. Many measures were put in place to ensure our patients knew we were open and would continue to provide care to those who needed it.

Overnight, we transformed face to face consultation methods to almost full triage and telephone consulting. Videoconferencing was also offered to our patients but given our demographic we have patients either with no internet service or not very tech savvy with microphones and cameras to make effective use of this platform.

GPs and patients are adapting well to new methods of consultation. Is this something to be considered to adopt as a preferred option for a post Covid-19 world? The new normal for general practice is yet to be determined.

In May 2020, St George Medical Centre was the first of two GP-led respiratory clinics in South West to open its doors to support patients, locally and to the wider communities, dealing with symptoms associated with COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia. This Commonwealth Government initiative was a commitment to ensure our rural and remote communities have all the tools needed to keep COVID-19 at bay and the capacity to deal with cases if they emerge. The establishment of this dedicated respiratory clinic ensures GPs have a safe and efficient avenue to also attend to non-respiratory related needs of other patients. This reduces the risk of cross-infection with COVID-19 and Influenza.

To date South West Queensland have been very fortunate in remaining Covid-19 free. Patients, staff and the community have risen to this (pandemic) challenge.  Our priorities, relationships with each other, relationships across the system and importantly, relationships with those we serve will have been reset during this period. Working together to find new solutions to new problems will be essential to determine a sustainable new normal.

Working in a busy practice means there can be a wide variety of tasks from day-to-day, which is one of the reasons I enjoy the job. In addition to the variety, I also enjoy the fast-paced environment and the inevitable multi-tasking that comes with that. The very best part of my job is my work colleagues. There is something about the type of people with whom you work and get to call family in a small rural practice: they are extremely nurturing and caring and, above all, take their jobs very seriously when dealing with people’s health needs and crisis.

I have learnt a lot throughout my journey of Practice Management, through my personal experiences, working in a team environment and the knowledge I have gained during my studies. From this I have come to realise that being a good leader isn’t simple, however practicing professionalism is, and it makes being a leader a whole lot easier. Professionalism and leadership are two distinct qualities that, I believe, all managers should possess with both requiring one key element – Respect.

And no matter what, through all the unexpected that life throws our way – drought, fire, flood, pandemic one thing is for sure – “We are all in this together”

I’d like to finish by saying if you’re thinking of studying again, don’t be limited. No matter where you begin, the sky’s the limit as far as where it could take you. As life is busy, online study through UNEP, gave me the opportunity to have a more flexible timetable. Good luck!

This article was written by UNE Partnerships, Aluma and current student – Peta Hart.

More information on our Practice Management courses can be found here.

UNE Partnerships has been working closely with the Army Logistic Training Centre and the Army School of Logistic Operations to help to reimagine their continuum of senior soldier courses.

Training Transformation intends to provide the Australian Army with a modern framework for training delivery, built across three pillars:

1. Agility – A training system that is agile will enable Army’s people and teams to quickly transition between missions and environments. As experience is gained and ideas are contested, training design must be able to easily and rapidly evolve. Training delivery mechanisms must be adaptable to the situation and the required learning outcomes.
2. Simplicity – A training system that is simple in its processes, structures and policies will promote freedom of action and the ability to rapidly change in readiness for the challenges of Accelerated Warfare.
3. Capacity – A training system that builds capacity will enable Army to generate more teams for more tasks, in more domains and environments, more often. It should do this more effectively, efficiently and safely.

Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Robinson believes this is a bold and decisive initiative for the Army School of Logistic Operations;

“By September 2020, we will have completely modernised the Subject 2 for Corporal, Sergeant and Warrant Officer suite of logistic courses. This project is ambitious in combining multiple corps-specific learning management plans into two CSS Sergeant and Warrant Officer learning frameworks. Importantly, it seeks to emphasise the integration of corps-specific logistic outputs to generate operational logistic effects. For example, this could see the creation of catering and personnel tracking learning modules and the absorption of road movement planning delivered on the RACT Subject 4 course into the new Subject 2 Sergeant course. This project also anticipates the removal of overly specific training delivered as generalist career training on other courses. Finally, it looks to align Army logistics training with Workforce 2028 plans to create the workforce flexibility required for a future ready force. The guiding design principles for this project are to simplify learning design, make learning more accessible and to enable continuous learning with reduced residential demands.

These innovations are critical to creating the flexibility and scalability necessary to train our current and future workforce. Furthermore, the tools now in use at ASLO are enabling better and faster decision-making. This directly serves our school mission: to train and develop Army’s logistics officers and senior soldiers to command or support joint land force operations.”

This project builds on more than a decade of partnership with UNE Partnerships and the Australian Government Department of Defence and other Commonwealth Government agencies to support contemporary learning design and development.

This article is derived from a recent blog post from LTCOL Brendan Robinson:

• https://cove.army.gov.au/article/army-school-logistics-operations-modernisation

If you would like to learn more about how UNE Partnerships can support your business to more effectively achieve your organisational objectives, then please contact our Partnerships team:

• Kathryn Hogan – Partnerships Manager
  kathryn.hogan@unep.edu.au

Biography

Brendan Robinson

Brendan Robinson is a graduate of the UK Command and Staff College and the Royal Military College Duntroon. Trained as a mechanical engineer at the Australian Defence Force Academy, he has served with armoured, infantry and logistics units and has deployed twice. He is the current Commanding Officer & Chief Instructor of the Army School of Logistic Operations. He maintains an interest in good writing, world affairs and Army modernisation.

Brendan has also written:

• Book Review: Team of Teams – New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World on Grounded Curiosity.
• Lowy Institute Address: America’s Enduring Interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific with Admiral Harry Harris, Commander US Pacific Command – 14 Dec 2016. On the Land Power Forum.
• To what extent should the UK’s Armed Forces once again be prepared to operate routinely east of Suez? in the Indo Pacific Strat Digest Summer 2016 edition.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Australian Army, the Department of Defence or the Australian Government.

As we find ourselves in a continually changing business environment, we are provided with a remarkable opportunity for self-reflection. This may a good opportunity to consider what the next chapter looks like and to ensure that your team are ready.

UNE Partnerships has been a leader in the provision of highly customized online education and training for more than 30 years.

• Workforce consultation
• Training solutions
• Tailored qualifications
• FREE Traineeships in NSW

We work closely with industry through our Academic Directors to ensure that our programs are highly relevant and respond to emerging business requirements.

JOHN ROSS BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT John has extensive experience in senior management and community relations, holding a number of positions with Sydney Water and consulting widely with organisations nationally and internationally.

SEAN O’TOOLE GOVERNMENT Sean has worked in both vocational and higher education sectors, served on university curriculum advisory boards, and managed industry-leading and award-winning capability-building initiatives in large government organisations.

CATHY BAYNIE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Cathy has worked as a practice manager and consultant in the Australian healthcare sector for more than 30 years.

GARY SMITH PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Gary is a successful practice manager of extended-hours and large, multi-services medical practices in the Western Sydney area.

DOUG WHEELER PROJECT MANAGEMENT Doug has worked as an engineer and consultant for over 30 years, and for the past 20 years as an educator, mentor and coach in engineering and project management.

Book a free consultation with our partnerships team to learn more:

Remy Bucoy
Partnerships Manager
m  |  0423 771 747
e    |  remy.bucoy@unep.edu.au

UNE Partnerships is proud to be the sponsor of Key Speaker – Amanda Leck at this year’s FMA Ideaction Virtual Conference. Hear her speak at 11.00 – 11.30am

To view the Virtual Conference Program, please click here.

AMANDA LECK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR DISASTER RESILIENCE  BIOGRAPHY: Amanda Leck is a community development and engagement professional with a proven ability to provide leadership and strategic direction in the planning, implementation and delivery of programs, in a complex environment.Amanda has worked extensively towards establishing partnerships with all levels of Government and the business sectors and has demonstrated leadership and management experience.With 20 years’ experience in the emergency management and community sectors, Amanda led the community development area for CFA, Victoria. Joining AFAC in 2009, she was appointed Director Community Safety in 2013, where she led the Community Safety Directorate and provided strategic advice in relation to risk reduction, community safety and warnings.In 2019 Amanda was appointed as Executive Director of the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR), an operating division of AFAC.   SYNOPSIS OF PRESENTATION: For Australians and those across the world, the events of late 2019 and 2020 have been a startling and distressing stride into incredibly challenging realities. The horror of seeing large swathes of the country burn in bushfires that took 33 lives and destroyed homes, livelihoods and environments, followed shortly thereafter by the onset of a pandemic that has changed the way we are able to live our lives, has impacted us all and will continue to do so over a long period of time.In the face of such challenges, and those to yet come, resilience to disasters is more important than ever.This presentation will share insights and reflections on the Black Summer of bushfires and give a high-level overview of current trends influencing disaster resilience strategy and action. It will touch on areas such as building disaster resilience and reducing disaster risk; resilience in buildings, infrastructure and systems; strengthening partnerships to address systemic climate and disaster risk; leadership from diverse groups; and growing cross-sector collaboration.Building resilience to disasters is not just for emergency services. These trends will be discussed in the context of the important role decision makers in all areas across the business, government, education and community sectors can play to make wise choices that make Australia a safe and prosperous place to live, now and into the future.

ABOUT FMA

	The Facility Management Association of Australia (FMA) is the nation’s peak industry body for facilities management. The Association serves and promotes the interests of those who create, operate and maintain Australia’s built environment. A primary focus of the FMA is to ensure that the needs of facilities managers are understood and considered in government and business policy formulation and decision-making. Visit the FMA Website at www.fma.com.au.

Click here to register for the Ideaction Virtual Conference.

ABOUT FMA

	The Facility Management Association of Australia (FMA) is the nation’s peak industry body for facilities management. The Association serves and promotes the interests of those who create, operate and maintain Australia’s built environment. A primary focus of the FMA is to ensure that the needs of facilities managers are understood and considered in government and business policy formulation and decision-making. Visit the FMA Website at www.fma.com.au.

An information webinar for QAIHC students was held last week by UNE Partnership’s Program Manager – Margaret Kirby.

Erica Lowah (pictured) from Purple House – Alice Springs (Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation), was a participant. “I really enjoyed the Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) course with UNE Partnerships. I loved my first webinar lesson, I was bit apprehensive and anxious at first but UNEP mentored me through and made me feel at ease, now I feel really confident, thank you.”

Our Program Manager – Margaret, was very touched by the feedback from Erica. “Today we covered writing simple documents and managing schedules in the webinar, it was great to see Erica in the Webinar and was pleased to see that she had already completed some tasks. Well done Erica!”

Erica is being supported by UNE Partnerships through a series of online learning webinars and one on one mentored training.

Click here for more information about our Certificate III in Business Administration – Medical (BSB31115).

Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by COVID-19, whether through illness or the economic impact of this global pandemic.
We are committed to continuing the provision of high quality online vocational education and training as this crisis unfolds, however some areas of our business may be limited by medium-term restrictions on travel and social gatherings.

Student Support

We will be available as usual via phone and email.

Please continue to use the contact information you have been provided.

Our Student Services Team and your allocated assessor will be happy to help!

Business Premises

We are preparing transition our workforce to work from home from Friday 27 March 2020.

While this will require some adaptation we expect normal service levels to continue without disruption.

Travel

There is a complete restriction on international travel for staff.

Domestic travel will be limited to essential travel only until further notice.

We are eager to continue to work with our clients and partners using Skype and Zoom.

Workshops

Public workshops scheduled prior to 31 May 2020 will be postponed or delivered virtually.

We will work with our clients to determine the best course of action for workshops scheduled for the rest of this year.

If you are enrolled in a course with a workshop and you would like more information then please contact Student Services for an update.

Online Learning

This may a good opportunity to harness any spare time and devote it to your personal or professional development.

UNE Partnerships has been a leader in the provision of distance and online vocational education for more than 30 years.

We also offer a range of short courses and skillsets that may help you or your team to make the most of a terrible situation.

Policy and Protocol

UNE Partnerships follow the Emergency Management protocols of the University of New England.

https://www.une.edu.au/coronavirus-information

Together, we are facing an unprecedented situation. Please contact us if you wish to know more about we can support your business or your studies through this challenging time.

Congratulations Liam Walter from all of us here at UNE Partnerships! We are looking forward to your graduation in Newcastle 20 March at the Medical Practice Conference.

Liam has just recently completed our Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting. These pictures above show him in the Sanctuary Medical Centre that he works at handing an ECG, Preparation of equipment and devices for medical procedures and Cold chain management. A special thank you to Deb Walter for the photos.

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Did you know that the US Bureau of Labour Statistics expect the employment of Medical Assistants to grow by 23% over the next decade, with similar growth expected in Australia. Medical Practice Assistants have an important role to play within the practice, alleviating some of the stress and workloads on medical practitioners.

Here at UNE Partnerships you can study our Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting. This is a nationally recognised qualification and is suitable for those in the health practice or medical setting wishing to expand their skills into a clinical arena. With our qualification you will work within the scope of delegation, and legal and ethical regulatory frameworks to support delivery of healthcare and contribute to the provision of coordinated healthcare services. You will be able to assist in a range of front and back of office, medical and administrative tasks to support a team of medical practitioners and healthcare professionals.

For more information about or Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting qualification (HLT47715) click here.

Subsidised Training

NSW

Subsidised training may be available to eligible students who live or work in NSW. You can apply for a subsidised training place through Smart and Skilled. For more information click here.

QLD
We are also pleased to advise that subsidised training may be available to eligible students who live or work in Queensland through the Higher Level Skills Program.
The Higher Level Skills Program assists individuals to gain the higher level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry, or to transition to university.