Isabella Meagher

Role: Physiotherapist

How long have you worked for Barwon Health? 6 years

During my job search, what attracted me to working at Barwon Health was the opportunity to work in a large organisation with many different clinical areas to develop my skills. I was also drawn to the lifestyle down in Geelong. My positive experiences on student placements at Barwon Health also influenced my decision to apply for roles here, as I had an understanding of the supportive learning environment and team culture within the Physiotherapy department and wanted to be a part of that.

My career journey with Barwon Health began when I started as a student completing my physiotherapy placements and working as an Allied Health Assistant casually while studying. In 2018, I started working as a Grade 1 Physiotherapist, and in September 2019, I was successful in my first senior grade 2 role. Since then, I have completed several different senior roles across Inpatient Rehabilitation and Neurological Community Rehabilitation. I also had many opportunities to backfill multiple senior roles and specialist clinics.

Barwon Health has been very supportive of my career development. My managers and mentors encouraged me to complete professional development based on my learning goals and provided me with opportunities to apply my learnings to practice. They were also proactive in recognising opportunities that would assist me in working towards my career goals discussed in my annual Professional Development Review. I am currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership and Management, and through Barwon Health, I have been approved for study leave to assist me in completing this.

What I enjoy the most about my role is working in a team-based environment with a common goal. I love the interactions I have daily with other staff members and clients, and helping them to achieve their goals and improve their health outcomes.

Compared to other healthcare services, what makes working at Barwon Health different is the local community feel of Geelong and the friendliness and supportive mindset of all Barwon Health staff. It is a really inclusive and fun place to work with lots of opportunities for career progression.

Tom Langman

Role: Grade 2 Physiotherapist 

How long have you worked for Barwon Health? 8.5 years

I was initially attracted to working at Barwon Health due to its size and grade 1 rotation opportunities, as well as the potential for career growth. Having spent three-and-a-half years working in regional hospitals in NSW and Victoria, the work-life balance offered by a regional setting, coupled with access to numerous extra-curricular activities, was also a major drawcard.

Since starting at Barwon Health in 2014 as a Grade 1 Rotating Physiotherapist, my career has progressed significantly. The rotation program allowed me to work across both acute and subacute sites, and in 2016, I secured a temporary grade 2 role, which eventually led to a permanent grade 2 position in the gerontology stream, including the inpatient oncology ward. Over the past six years, I have supervised undergraduate students and grade 1 physiotherapists, been involved in various projects, and taken on temporary grade 3 and grade 4 roles in the Pathway Navigator team and as Physiotherapy Site Manager, respectively.

Barwon Health has been instrumental in supporting my career development by providing both internal and external training opportunities, as well as annual performance development reviews to discuss my goals. The organisation's size and structure has also allowed me to work with like-minded individuals in public health, who are dedicated to providing the best care for patients. The variety of opportunities available at Barwon Health, combined with the work-life balance and pathways for career growth, make it stand out from other health services.