Graduates who received Productivity Places Program funding from the government, which was brokered through the Workforce Council, were recognised at a ceremony on August 31 at The Pavillion in Brisbane.
The students were the first two intakes in Queensland for the Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting, a nationally accredited training course designed to equip general practice staff with a wide range of administrative and clinical assisting skill.
Queensland Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining, the Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP, and Professor Claire Jackson, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, were among the invited speakers helping to celebrate the occasion.
Metro North Brisbane Medicare Local CEO Ms Abbe Anderson congratulated the students on their achievement.
“I am immensely proud of what has been accomplished both locally and state-wide through this training initiative,” Ms Anderson said.
“The graduation of 47 students is a credit to all involved, from course organisers and participants, to the various medical, nursing and other organisations which were involved with the original development of the course,” she said.
“Our newly qualified Medical Assistants will make a positive contribution to the delivery of primary health care in Queensland, particularly so where it is more difficult to recruit GPs or nurses in sufficient numbers,” Ms Anderson said.
The students, employed in general practices from across Queensland, began their studies last year and were the first to take up the new certificate.
The Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting (HLT 43307) was originally developed by GPpartners Ltd in collaboration with general practitioners and general practice staff, and was incorporated into the National Health Training Package in 2007.
The Metro North Brisbane Medicare Local and Healthfirst Training Australia offer the Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting in Queensland.
The next student intake will be in February 2012.
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