ECU Counselling students undertaking placements at the ECU Health Centre Wanneroo. L-R: Minh Duc Bui, Anu Pious, Danielle Hayman, Loh Jen-Li, Sharna Billman and Jo McGowan.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) students have achieved over 100,000 placement hours at the ECU Health Centre Wanneroo.
Opened in October 2014 and funded through the Commonwealth and State Governments under the GP Super Clinics Programme, the ECU Health Centre Wanneroo functions as a one-stop shop for integrated, multidisciplinary care for the community, and as a hub for clinical training and research.
ECU student placements began in 2015, and have included disciplines in paramedicine, nursing, psychology, counselling, exercise science and occupational therapy.
By the end of September, 101,392 placement hours had been completed, a significant achievement which delivers on the GP Super Clinic Programme's goal to support the education and training of future health workforce.
Professor Moira Sim, Executive Dean of the School of Medical and Health Sciences and Executive Sponsor, said, "Placing our students in the health services at the ECU Health Centre Wanneroo produces ECU graduates who are job-ready with experience in community-based settings."
"Our students also lead a number of affordable programs at the Centre which increase access to much-needed health services community in Wanneroo and surrounding areas."
ECU Nursing student Jessica Shannon on placement at the ECU Health Centre Wanneroo.
Empowering experience
ECU student Danielle Hayman is currently in her final semester of a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
As part of her course, Danielle did her placement at the ECU Counselling Service at the Centre and described it as dynamic and enjoyable.
The ECU Counselling Service was introduced this year with the student counsellor team being tasked with developing the new service.
"We provide affordable, accessible counselling services for both children and adults experiencing a range of challenges. I have enjoyed the diversity of the client base, allowing me to grow and develop in my skills broadly," Danielle said.
"Establishing this brand-new student-led counselling service has been challenging at times, as we needed to co-create the service with our site supervisors and lecturers to get it up and running. However, their confidence in us and the opportunity for collaboration has been both empowering and exciting.
"I am really enjoying my experience and have felt like it has been both a journey of self-discovery and development as well as growth in my clinical skills and knowledge."
ECU Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy student Danielle Hayman undertook placement at the Centre.
ECU is building on the achievements at the Wanneroo Centre with the establishment of the new ECU Health Centre Yanchep. The Yanchep Centre will bring a range of primary, allied health, and mental health services to Yanchep, and integrate clinical training and research.
Find out more about the ECU Health Centre.
