Entirely Health Rockhampton has a new Speech Pathologist!

Camille Martin recently started a new role in a new town with Entirely Health in Rockhampton. After seeing the vacancy on the Health Workforce Queensland website she was successfully placed in the role and has already become a valued member of the community providing speech pathology services and helping to alleviate the waiting lists. Camille shares her story with us here.

What interested you in this role and a move to Rockhampton?

After a mixed adult and paediatric placement in Townsville and Ingham, I became interested in working as a generalist speech pathologist in a regional setting. I discovered that working regional and rural areas can offer a unique range of experiences that are rarely available in urban areas. These include exposure to a wider variety of cases, opportunities to take on greater responsibility earlier in one's career, and accelerated learning in a multidisciplinary environment.

When my partner moved to Rockhampton for work in 2021, I decided to relocate there after graduation to explore a new town and challenge myself to grow professionally. I was excited to find a graduate position at Entirely Health that aligned with my goals, offered a supportive and friendly work environment, and provided ample opportunities for development.

What was the placement and relocation process like?   

After moving I was reimbursed $2000 for relocation expenses which has helped greatly.

You’ve only been in your new role a short time, but what has been the most rewarding part of working with Entirely Health in Rockhampton so far? 

Working with Entirely Health in Rockhampton has been incredibly rewarding, particularly in assisting clients who have waited for speech pathology services for a long time due to the shortage of clinicians in the area. Although the situation can be frustrating, it's heartening to see how grateful clients are for my time and support. For me, these experiences have really reinforced the positive impact that speech pathology can make on people's lives.

As an advocate for regional and rural work, I believe that promoting the benefits of these locations can encourage more clinicians to consider taking up roles in areas like Rockhampton. By addressing the shortage of speech pathologists, we can ensure that more people receive the services they need and deserve. Ultimately, my goal is to continue making a difference in the lives of those who need speech pathology support, no matter where they are located.

What is your favourite thing about living in the Rockhampton region?     

I enjoy the convenience of living just a 3-to-5-minute drive away from work, shops, and restaurants in my current location. It's not an exaggeration when I say that I only have to fill up my car once every 6-8 weeks due to this proximity. Additionally, there's plenty to explore around here, and having the beach just a 30-minute drive away is a great bonus!

Finally, what are the main differences between your work with Entirely Health in Rockhampton and your work experience back in Brisbane?

In terms of my professional work, one of the biggest differences between working with Entirely Health in Rockhampton and my previous work in Brisbane is the complexity and variety of my caseload. Working in a regional area has provided me with the opportunity to work with clients across the lifespan and with a wider range of communication and swallowing disorders. This has allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge as a clinician, and to gain experience in areas that I may not have had the chance to explore in a more specialized setting. Additionally, the collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to client care in Rockhampton has been a valuable learning experience, allowing me to work closely with other health professionals to provide holistic and effective treatment for my clients. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to grow as a clinician and make a positive impact on my clients' lives in a regional area.

Such a positive and inspiring start to your health care journey in Rockhampton Camille! There are so many opportunities ahead of you to really make a difference to your community.