Fruit-Picking, Cell Blocks and Passion(fruits) in Bundaberg | Grace's Story

Prescript is passionate about helping solve the regional doctor shortage in Australia. We thought we would share our stories of living, working or holidaying in different parts of the country.  You'll get to know us a bit better and find out why we love working with doctors and encouraging a sea/tree change!

I'm Grace Clueit - I have been working in Prescript since early 2018 as our 'Marketing Partner'. Here is my story of working in Bundaberg and finding passion(fruit)...

Originally from the United Kingdom, I set sail for Australia in 2014 after a few years of travelling and working in various places prior. After seeing Australia for all of its beauty, and having only explored a mere fragment of it, I decided I needed to stay longer. Being a British backpacker meant I was required to complete 88 days of regional work in order to gain a second-year working holiday visa. 

My two friends and I were travelling up the east coast, in a camper-van that broke down every 30 minutes (a story for another day), when we put a coin in charge of our destiny. If the coin landed on heads, we decided that we would head to Bundaberg, if it fell on tails it meant we were heading to Sydney. The coin landed on heads, so we packed up our portable frying pan and made our merry way to Bundaberg. 

A day in the life of a fruit-picker

Working within the fruit picking industry, I experienced the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of farm life. I must admit, I had the most unrealistic image in my head of what farm work would be like; skipping through cornfields in the sunshine whilst sipping on fresh lemonade made by the farmer’s wife... That dream, unfortunately, came crashing down rather quickly. Anyone who’s ever worked on a farm will know what back-breaking work it is, and the locals knew that better than anyone. I worked in a variety of picking and packing jobs, from Zucchinis to Oranges.

Hostel life proved to be very interesting too. I was living in a hostel called 'Cell Block' which had been converted from an old prison. I was sharing a 10-bed dorm with people from all around the world and from various walks of life. Being with each other day and night and living in each other's pockets means you gain the best (and most bizarre) life and people skills

I was lucky enough to meet my partner, Scott, in Bundaberg, he wooed me with a passionfruit he had picked on the farm. Scott began playing rugby league for a local team, the South Kolan Sharks, meaning our Sundays consisted of touring around various rugby clubs across the northern district. We were welcomed into the club as ‘the pommy children’ by the locals.

The community welcomed all backpackers with open arms and hearts; some of the ladies I worked with even invited me to visit their homes. They asked their families around and cooked the most delicious homemade food. We sat around the fire and shared stories and marshmallows while looking at the stars. A truly magical experience and one I will not forget in a hurry.

Bundaberg holds a very special place in my heart and has left me with some wonderful memories. I hope you can one day visit too.

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More about Bundaberg

Bundaberg is the largest town in the Fraser Coast region and is known for its eponymous dark rum and fruit-farming backpackers. The town is an agricultural centre with some friendly pubs and a decent regional art gallery.

Located 300 kilometres north of Brisbane, the Bundaberg region is the first point of entry to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. This area encompasses a diversity of coastal, island and hinterland areas.

Bundaberg is located just 35 minutes from the beautiful coastal town of Bargara, and only 1 hour and 20 minutes from the stunning coastal city, Hervey Bay. 30 minutes north of the centre is Moore Park with wide, flat beaches, and to the south is the very popular Elliott Heads with a nice beach, rocky foreshore and good fishing. Bundaberg's convenient location means you can easily visit some lovely coastal areas during your time off work.

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About Grace Clueit

Grace is Prescript's Marketing Partner and looks after Vacancies, Marketing and Communications. 

"I hope you enjoyed this blog about my time in Bundaberg. If you had any questions or would like to learn more about permanent and locum opportunities, we’d love to chat with you!"

Contact Grace: 1300 755 498 // grace@prescript.com.au

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“Prescript are medical recruitment specialists.”

At Prescript we’re known for helping solve the regional doctor shortage in Australia.

Every day we’re focused on two clear outcomes - Helping hospitals find doctors that create departments and clinics that run better, have more capacity and less stress. And placing Doctors in jobs that leave them feeling highly valued, rewarded and, most importantly, enjoying what they do.

We believe that when we get these two crucial things right, it has a huge impact on the regional doctor shortage and the healthcare of communities across Australia.

There are three ways to contact us:

1. Call 1300 755 498

2. Email contact@prescript.com.au

3. Click 'Connect with Prescript' to ask a question online (with option to upload your CV)

We'd love to hear from you!

“We’re known for helping solve the regional doctor shortage, leaving doctors loving what they do and regional communities feeling like they have the best doctors in town.”

— James Hill - Founder - Prescript Recruitment

Locum Radiologist for Coastal Queensland $3500 per day

Do you have a week free in 2018 to locum in Queensland?

Would you like to earn $3500 per day?

Prescript Recruitment is partnering with three sites in Queensland who are looking to cover dates between now and end of 2018.  You have the choice of staying in resort-style accommodation by the coast (self-contained, possibly with a pool) or in a city apartment (where you can walk to work).

Benefits? 

As well as a great daily rate of $3500, you will also have return economy flights from any location in Australian or New Zealand paid for.  Car hire and indemnity are covered, plus accommodation for your family if you bring them.

The locum will be tailored around your skills and experience – there are three sites with different requirements.  Request a full practice overview from Prescript.

Dates available:

1 week blocks between now and end of 2018. You would work Monday to Friday and there are no after-hours / on call reporting requirements.

Our credentialing manager, Stef Ormesher, will help manage all the paperwork and logistics. All you have to do is let us know when you are free.

Why Queensland?

Lonely Planet says “Australia’s holiday haven offers beaches, reefs, jungles, uptempo locals and a laid-back tropical pace of life.”

The climate is sizzling in the Summer and Mediterranean in the Winter. Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney are only a quick flight away. 

Not entirely sure about a locum in Queensland? Talk to Prescript Recruitment, we have written our own location report which is full of great things to do and see. We are sure you and your family will love exploring.

What are we looking for?

You will have your FRANZCR and AHPRA specialist registration.  You must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen.

Please note that $3500 per day is dependent on your skills profile and the locum location (not every Queensland coastal site offers $3500 per day).

Application process:

You can enquire via this website or you can contact me (James Hill) at Prescript Recruitment – james@prescript.com.au // 1300 755 498 – very happy to answer any questions.

First stage is an informal conversation with Prescript for you to decide if you want to proceed – you will need to share your CV and we will talk about the position, the company and the location. You can let us know if you want to bring your family and if you have any special requirements.

Second stage is an informal application – we will arrange a phone call or a review of your skills with the practice managers to establish if this is going to be a good fit.

Third stage – if you’re happy then Prescript will send you a locum confirmation to say ‘congratulations – all booked!’

Fourth stage – Prescript will help manage all the paperwork and logistics. All you have to do is look forward to starting!

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About James Hill

James recruits for locum and permanent positions across regional Australia with a focus on Radiology.

0410 792 310 // james@prescript.com.au

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About Prescript Recruitment

For more information, a great place to start is www.prescript.com.au

You'll find information about our locum and permanent recruitment services for doctors, hospitals and practices.  You'll also find links to our blogs, location reports and other resources.

1300 755 498 // contact@prescript.com.au

Apply Some Pressure

I’m often asked by doctors and hospitals why they should choose to work with me over one of my many competitors. Apart from the obvious answers – I’ve been recruiting doctors for regional Australia since 2012, I’ve got an extensive network, I use Prescript’s 7-step framework to get results – I usually give them a very personal reason too.

A healthy amount of pressure makes me productive. If you tell me that you’re relying on me to find you a job so you can pay your mortgage or pay for your overseas trip, that has an effect on me. If you tell me that you’re relying on me to manage your recruitment so that you can concentrate on the on the many other non-recruitment aspects of your job, that has an effect on me too.

“A healthy amount of pressure makes me productive.”

— Ian Ormesher

What happens? It stresses me out. So I take action and I get the results that you want. I’m your recruitment partner and it’s my job to take on your stress and make it my own. Why waste time canvassing several agencies asking for the same thing when you can just tell me that you’re relying on me to do my job?

Conversely, if I’m not able to help you for some reason – maybe I don’t have capacity to take on your permanent recruitment project right now, or perhaps when it comes to finding work in popular city hospitals that rarely use agencies, I know you’ll have more success applying directly rather than via agency.

In those cases, I’ll tell you that I can’t help you right now and if possible I’ll point you in the direction of someone who can. Just think of all the time that will save you!

The other day, an O&G Registrar that I regularly place in locum positions gave me his dates of availability and said: “but don’t stress over it, Ian.” When I pointed out that it’s actually my job to stress over it and find him work so that he doesn’t have to worry about it, he replied: “you are a victim of your own efficiency!” Indeed. Perhaps it’s time I had a new team member join me? A problem shared is a problem halved after all. Watch this space…

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About Ian Ormesher

Ian recruits for locum and permanent positions across regional Australia with a focus on Medicine and O&G.

0434 401 379 // ian@prescript.com.au

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About Prescript Recruitment

For more information, a great place to start is www.prescript.com.au

You'll find information about our locum and permanent recruitment services for doctors, hospitals and practices.  You'll also find links to our blogs, location reports and other resources.

1300 755 498 // contact@prescript.com.au

Western Australia Prescript Visit

Next week the Prescript team (James Hill, Nicola Speer and Ian Ormesher) will be in Western Australia visiting regional hospitals and practices. We love getting to know different places from small towns to larger cities and exploring the challenges their health services face.

I have never been to WA before and I'm looking forward to seeing for myself all the great things I've heard from the doctors we work with.  I will be relying on my Whileaway Guide to make sure I don't miss a thing!

If you would like to meet us, please email contact@prescript.com.au or call 1300 755 498.

#RANZCR2017 Will you be in Perth?

Not long until the RANZCR ASM. I will be in Perth from Wednesday 18th to Sunday 22nd October, along with my colleagues Nicola Speer and Ian Ormesher.  Will we see you there?

If you would like to book a coffee with us or arrange a time to meet, please use our contact details below:

James Hill - 0410 792 310 // james@prescript.com.au

Nicola Speer - 0405 429 799 // nicola@prescript.com.au

Ian Ormesher -  0434 401 379 // ian@prescript.com.au

Prescript are specialists in listening to your requirements and interests and finding the best roles and locums to suit your criteria. Whether you’ve talked to us before or not, we’d love to hear from you for a confidential discussion to see what your ideal situation is!

Are you interested in:

• A new location
• Career advancement
• A leadership or Clinical Director role
• The first step as a FRANZCR doctor
• Assistance with a DWS or AoN position
• Teleradiology in Australian, NZ or overseas
• Locum work that is highly paid and well curated for you

Whatever your situation, we specialise in helping you with tailored, professional, practical service that costs you absolutely nothing.

Prescript Recruitment are engaged by Australia’s top providers in clinics, private and public hospitals to help them get the best staff on board. We work with permanent job opportunities, locum roles both long and short term, part time or flexible employment and teleradiology.

We can give you some ideas and options to consider. We negotiate top packages and excellent conditions for radiologists and maintain long term, professional relationships with our clients and doctors.

Please do get in touch with us today by phone or email.

James - Founder & Recruitment Partner at Prescript

#RANZCR2017 #Radiology #WAdiology

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About Prescript Recruitment

For more information, a great place to start is www.prescript.com.au

You'll find information about our locum and permanent recruitment services for doctors, hospitals and practices.  You'll also find links to our blogs, location reports and other resources.

1300 755 498 // contact@prescript.com.au

Why Doctors Don’t Want to Work in Rural Communities (And Why They Should Reconsider)

Doctors in nearly every speciality are flocking to the big cities, like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, to practice medicine. But what’s keeping doctors from working in rural areas where there are just as many deserving cities, towns and communities?

These rural communities have a high need for physicians and are willing to pay qualified candidates high wages for permanent and locum positions. But even with this in mind, doctors are still unconvinced. They aren’t ready to make the sea and tree change into the bush.

We’re here to explain the great benefits of becoming a rural doctor. Here are three debunked myths doctors have about working in rural communities:

1.   “It’ll get lonely out in the middle of nowhere.”

Life is all about opportunity, and moving and working inland will provide you with a chance to actually expand your network of friends and acquaintances. There are plenty of hospitals in rural cities that have a close team of doctors on staff. Not to mention, there are plenty of social groups and a lot of city-like amenities such as sporting arenas, music festivals, and shopping centres. The country isn’t made only of small farming towns.

While you might not be able to see your friends back home as often, you’ll be making plenty of new ones. So you definitely won’t be lonely—or bored for that matter.

2.   “It’s hard to make a name for myself as a small-town doctor.”

On the contrary, you’ll be better known by your patients and the surrounding communities than in the cities. City doctors actually are often forgotten since there are so many of them, and the vast bureaucratic system they work under makes it more difficult for them to advance in their career.

If you were to work in a permanent or locum position inland, then you’ll be one of a few doctors, if not the sole doctor, in the community. This places you in the spotlight and will provide you with well-deserved recognition and respect.

3.   “Business will be slow, and I won’t be able to make a living from it.”

Healthcare is less available to rural citizens. This means sicker people are waiting to be treated which also means there are long waiting lists for patients. Your business won’t be slow in the slightest. And since doctors are in such high demand, hospitals and clinics are willing to pay a pretty penny for you to work for them. The government is even providing subsidies for doctors who are willing to move and work inland, so why shouldn’t you consider making the sea and tree change?

Prescript Can Connect You with Rural Hospitals and Clinics

If you’re convinced and ready to make the move, then we can help. Prescript is a locum and permanent recruitment agency for doctors, hospitals and practices. 

Go to  www.prescript.com.au for more information on our recruitment services, blogs, location reports, and other resources.

1300 755 498 // contact@prescript.com.au

Never Presume Anything (and other tales)

I've just come back from a visit to a radiology clinic in Sydney. This time my appointment was for personal rather than for business reasons.  

It was my first X-ray and so the experience was all new to me. Before having my scan, I was shown to a cubicle where the radiographer told me to "get undressed." Did this mean that I had to go for the scan without clothes? Thankfully not - I only needed to remove my shirt and replace it with a trendy paper gown to cover my modesty. Once finished, I was asked to wait back in the cubicle but keep my shirt off. I waited for a few minutes before I was passed a sticky note with my name on.

Sitting for a while longer in the cubicle sporting my paper gown, I wondered whether I could get dressed again. A peep through the curtain revealed an empty room; the radiographer looking after me had vanished. I got dressed. Back at reception, I deduced that the sticker with my name on should be handed over. I was good to go. What about payment? Nothing for me to pay for, apparently – great! What about my results? They’d be emailed to my doctor, of course.

I left the clinic feeling glad that I had finally got around to having the scan done (it’d been on my “to do” list for weeks) but the whole experience made me feel a bit lost and puzzled. I realised something about good service and the way that we communicate with people.

The clinic staff were unquestionably friendly and efficient but by presuming that I knew what was going on throughout the process, I ended up feeling confused and a bit of an idiot at times - especially when waiting for no reason in my paper couture. 

This short interaction has made me reflect on the service that I provide to my clients and candidates. One of the things that I've learnt during my time in medical recruitment is to never presume anything and to explain and clarify each step of the process, no matter how obvious it might seem.

I once arranged a locum for a doctor in a rural Queensland town that she had never been to before. She told me that she would arrive at 4 o’clock the day before she started work. I made the necessary arrangements and emailed her the details of her hotel booking. Waking up that Sunday morning, my phone was lit up with missed calls and voicemails from the doctor asking why she had no hotel booking. As planned, she had arrived at 4 o’clock… in the morning!

I had assumed that she knew that her hotel would only be ready the night before her job started. She thought that it was obvious that she was driving through the night and would arrive early morning. I was so used to sending doctors to work in that particular country town that I had missed important details. 

“If I’d spent more time explaining things and asking the right questions, it would have saved her from being left outside in the cold.”

— Ian Ormesher

This was definitely an important lesson for me. Working in recruitment, it’s so important to be articulate about the way we do things and why. I send doctors to work in rural locations all the time but for each assignment I make sure that they understand where they need to be and what they should expect when they arrive. I never underestimate how nerve-racking travelling to a strange part of the country to work in an unknown clinic can be.

In offering a tailored and highly personalised service, it’s vital that I anticipate every bump in the road along the way. I’m proud to be able to provide this as part of the Prescript team. So far, our doctors have been pleasantly surprised by the level of detail that we go into and I’m yet to hear of one being left out in the cold - figuratively or otherwise.

Why not give us a try for your next locum or permanent job search?

For more information on Prescript, who we are and what we do, go to www.prescript.com.au