School reps get taste of Uni's healthy choices
Published on 04 March, 2010
Rockhampton region school representatives have had a taste of what CQUniversity hopes will be on its menu of health degrees over the next 3 years...
Those attending a special breakfast briefing were among the first in the community to hear how the University hopes to combat the shortages of health professionals in rural and regional areas. They also heard about opportunities for school-campus interaction and about specialised programs for Indigenous students.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Professor Mark Burton explained he has been liaising with a raft of different health providers since taking up his role in November last year.
"It's no surprise that in just about every area of health they have difficulty recruiting or retaining professionals," he said.
Professor Burton spoke about the quality of existing programs, including Exercise and Sports Sciences and Biomedical Sciences, as well as the newly announced Bachelor of Medical Imaging degree for 2011.
He also foreshadowed other degrees which are undergoing internal approval processes and, in some cases, external accreditation.
"We'll be promoting our Bachelor of Medical Science, expanding on our existing expertise. Offerings should include Nutrition, Pathology, Clinical Investigation, Paramedic Science and Medical Imaging. With Imaging Science will be an area that no other Uni in Australia has yet mounted, in terms of a Bachelor of Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Sonography, with the opportunity for students to go into ultrasound."
Professor Burton said some degrees would be ready to start in 2011 and "from that platform, over the next 3 years, we see this Uni as being a major provider of health-related programs anywhere in this region".
The senior academic foreshadowed a wide range of allied health programs including Indigenous Health, a Master of Radiotherapy and possibly courses for dental auxiliary hygenists and therapists.
"Our Bachelor of Medical Science will lead to pathology, which is lab science. We are looking for accreditation with the Australian Institute of Medical Sciences so it is a program you can move into and out of, so it will be reasonably flexible. The Clinical Investigation program provides technicians that run the cardio-vascular, respiratory or neuro-physiological laboratories in hospitals throughout the country. The same program will get you into the biotechnology field where there are opportunities in medical research, forensic-related courses and jobs in industry and within the public and private health systems.
"Nutrition provides people in nutrition clinics and with Paramedic Science we are working with the Queensland Ambulance to ensure clinical experience. Graduates will be employable in any ambulance service in Australia.
"Imaging Science includes a professional year to ensure students are work-ready on day one after graduation. Sonography includes a postgrad component to ensure graduates can work within an establishment as soon as they graduate.
Professor Burton said CQUniversity's existing biomedical sciences programs already provided pathways into medicine and dentistry but in future would also provide entry into allied health programs that were becoming available.
LINK HERE for details on New Medical Imaging degree for Mackay