Meet Yerik –– Exercise Physiologist from busy city to remote QLD
Originally exposed to NWRH in his university days, Yerik began a work placement in Mt Isa alongside a qualified exercise physiologist at NWRH.
“I learned more about their company, their values and the locations NWRH are established in,’ said Yerik. “I immediately knew that I wanted to come back out here from Brisbane and work with them.”
Now employed as an Exercise Physiologist in Longreach, QLD, Yerik travels between different communities servicing local towns according to demand.
A different kind of patient care
“The beauty of being in a town like Longreach is you get the opportunity to follow up with patients and provide continuity of care,’ said Yerik. ‘This is something I didn’t experience in Brisbane. Here, you could bump into a patient on the street.”
The experience you gain in a remote or rural setting gives you the opportunity to hone your skills in a way that differs from a big city setting. Yerik describes his work as exciting and engaging, with no two days the same.
“We see different cases than you would in the city, there’s a large number of complex health conditions,” said Yerik. “Because I’m still a new grad, in somewhere like Brisbane, you’re almost assigned patients based on your experience but here you’re straight into the deep end. In my point of view, it’s perfect for learning. You get to be a sponge and learn a lot in a small amount of time.”
A work environment like family
Yerik describes the work environment at NWRH like family. With a small number of people in town, it’s a great environment to connect and be social with team members.
“You don’t realise how busy the city is until you go back,” says Yerik. “Everyone here says g’day to you, it becomes your new family. We all hang out together outside of work. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student or a fresh graduate, on the weekend you’re all mates.”
Outside of work Yerik likes to stay active with social sports and the gym, leading by example with physical fitness in the community.
What to expect at NWRH
Employees are offered a generous personal development allowance and are often prioritised for upskilling opportunities due to the remote nature of the work.
Looking forward, Yerik is excited to continue to grow his skills and is thankful for the opportunity to grow and develop.
“New employees can expect an open and very friendly environment,” said Yerik. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to give back to those who need it most.”