By their own admission, Claire Jones and Paul Jordan have a few years on the majority of medical graduates preparing to commence internships across the state.
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At 40 and 50 years respectively, the Oceania University graduates hope to bring some life experience to their new positions at the Launceston General Hospital.
The pair are among 89 graduates completing orientations across the state this week.
For Ms Jones, who moved to Launceston from Melbourne with her family last week, the opportunity was motivated by both career and lifestyle.
Having spent 11 years working as a paramedic, she said she was excited to take the next step in her career.
“My parents moved to the Tamar Valley about 10 years ago and I always wanted to move here with my family, for the lifestyle that it offered,” she said.
“I am hoping there is something I can really offer, coming in as a junior level doctor, but having some experience behind me.
“The emergency department is where I feel most comfortable, but I am also interested in being a rural GP or obstetrician.”
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Similarly, Mr Jordan has already enjoyed a fulfilling career as a paramedic in NSW and Queensland.
He also spent years working as an underwater medic for the diving branch of the Australian Navy and as a critical care paramedic.
Looking for a challenge, he said the decision to study medicine grew out of opportunity, while getting a job at the LGH came down to luck.
“Once I finished the degree, I was looking for an internship and I was lucky enough to be given the contacts at Launceston,” he said.
“I had a chat to them and they didn’t think they would be able to help me, but it turns out that they could and now I am here.
“I was working as a critical care paramedic on helicopters, but there was nowhere for me to really go.
“I like treating patients, so medicine seemed to be the natural next step.
“I am 51 next week, so I still have 20-plus years of work to go.”
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said more than 70 per cent of interns had taken up roles as resident medical officers across the THS, in the past two years following internships.
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Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
