Charting a brighter future in healthcare: SA Health’s game-changing graduate program debut
A new program to attract South Australia’s best and brightest is hoping to make a real difference in how healthcare is delivered across the state.
The two- year Graduate Program will equip early career professionals with the skills and knowledge required for success, while nurturing their passion for healthcare in an innovative and collaborative environment.
The Graduate Program has been developed with industry leaders Harrison McMillan to help new recruits seeking a career pathway into government, while helping secure vital medical supplies for hospitals across the state.
This initiative is being spearheaded by the Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PSCM) executive director, Andrea Andrews.
“We worked to bring lots of smart, clever people in to support us because through the pandemic we had a huge increase in the supplies needed and many challenges to overcome,” she said.
Fast forward almost three years, and Andrews is once again on the lookout for new graduates to join the team in 2024. This demand is driven not only by the extensive network of around 14,000 suppliers they manage, but also by the growing complexity within supply chains.
“PSCM is critical to how SA Health functions,” Andrews said, noting the division handles all the products and services required for hospitals, ambulance stations and the broader healthcare department.
“People now realise how important it is to be on top of your supply chain – from your suppliers’ suppliers to your customers’ customers. For us, that is the patient, to the community in general. The complexity has definitely risen over time, requiring us to develop skills and enhance capabilities within our team.”
Procurement demands a diverse skill set, encompassing analytics, commercial acumen, effective communication and contract management.
Building technical skill
Transferrable skills are welcomed, with 12 recruits set to join PSCM as well as further positions in Digital Health, Workforce Services, Infrastructure, New Women’s and Children’s Hospital Project and Commissioning and Performance divisions within the Department for Health and Wellbeing.
One notable feature of this recruitment process is its candidate-centric design. SA Health selected Harrison McMillan as their preferred partner due to their unique ability and experience in running high-volume projects and their ability to integrate and create candidate user-friendly recruitment technology solutions.
Harrison McMillan CEO Dani Cuff emphasised the importance of combining leading technology, a candidate-centric design and a self-service portal with a strong recruitment process.
“This not only attracts top talent but also enhances efficiency, data-driven decision-making and the overall reputation of the organisation,” Cuff said.
“To attract forward-thinking candidates, you need to deploy the latest and leading techniques. This is especially crucial for organisations like SA Health, which are responsible for a large and critical workforce, with a focus on innovation.”
A meaningful career pathway
Jarrad Bennett is a former graduate of the program and said his positive candidate experience influenced his decision to join SA Health.
“The work you do is for the community,” he said.
“You can see the work you’re doing is valued, and you’re helping others.”
Andrews places great emphasis on the importance of a strong organisational culture. She is seeking smart, progressive, energetic individuals who are willing to immerse themselves in their roles, learn and, importantly, challenge the status quo.
With a commitment to diversity, PSCM recently received an award from the Chartered Institute Procurement and Supply for its diverse workforce and aims to uphold and expand this initiative.
As much as these are graduate positions, SA Health is open to any person who has graduated in the last three years, regardless of degree, if they have a passion to move into PSCM and partake in the two-year graduate program on offer.
Opportunity to grow
So, what should graduates expect over the two-year program? In the first twelve months, graduates will complete training and gain experience through rotations across various areas.
Year two will see graduates build on their foundation knowledge through additional rotations. This will enable further learning opportunities in their area of strength.
The Graduate Program is a career opportunity unlike any other with a wealth of benefits such as, socialisation and bonding, mentorship initiatives, access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP), access to young professionals’ groups, flexible working environment and a chance to work for the largest employer in South Australia.
Cuff elaborated that the approach being undertaken for this project allows her team to spot potential and not restrict graduates to placements solely on their area of study but further considering their areas of interest. From SA Health’s perspective, this further enhances the chances of retaining well-matched graduates who will continue to contribute not just during the two-year program, but well into the future.
Although this intake for PSCM closes 13 November 2023, the microsite will remain open, meaning candidates will have the opportunity to update their profiles created for any ASO3 roles that become available at SA Health throughout the year.
Bennett encouraged anyone interested to apply.
“The number of opportunities, through mentoring, and learning that we’ve received along the way has been invaluable, and it’s certainly developed my career,” he said.
If you are an aspiring graduate, now is the time to consider a rewarding career with PSCM at SA Health.
