GWP 901 Professional Workplace Practice

Introduction

The Australian labour market has been seeing an immense growth in the aged care work sector and also in the mental health industry. With the surge of the Covid-19 pandemic and also with the increasing challenges in lives, there have been a significant growth in the number of case of mental illness. Many of the individuals have been trying their hands out, at the career opportunities in these sectors, so that they can do well to the people and be a help for the society. In the following report, there would be a discussion regarding the current labour market trends of Australia in these sectors, and also the career opportunities, in these focussed industries, there would also be a discussion of the career aspirations of mine, considering the requirements and the demand of this industries.

Australian labour market trends

It has been stated by Awaworyi, Farrell & Smyth (2019), that it is through the Mental health services in Australia (MHSA), that there is a very clear idea regarding how the mental health problems is treated in the nation buy the heath and the welfare systems. Psychiatrists, counsellors, physicians, specialist doctors, and social workers are among the health and social care providers that offer mental health treatment to Australians. The National Health Workforce Data Set (NHWDS) contains data about working registered healthcare workers gathered through annual or monthly surveys administered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) since 2010.

The Australian Government plays a very important and crucial role in this sector, where it regulates the mental health services and provides funds for the same. Also it is generally shared between the state as well as the territory governments. It has been discussed by Malla, et.al (2016), that what should be noticed is that the present conditions of the Australian labour market in the mental health sector has increased in an alarming rate, there have been several cases of adults and adolescents who have been affected by the depression and anxiety problems due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is being addressed top, by the health care and the mental health professionals, through the offline services as well as the online sectors.

As per the discussion of Duckett & Willcox (2015), over the past forty years, there has been a significant increase in the population, and the number of old and aged people have been increasing and growing. Therefore, there has been an increase in the demand of the personal care and medicals services among this population. Most people who are above the age of 85 have been inclined to take help of the aged care services and it has been estimated that this increase would become four folds by the year 2047. One of the most important challenge that the present Australian labour market is facing in this sector is that there are not much number of aged care services. There needs to be a proper expansion in the aged care workforce, so that the labour market can be tightened in this field. It has been stated by Berchet (2015), that the Australian Government has been implementing policies and strategies, but there needs to be proper scope of the residential care system, accommodations and the aged care education needs to be improved. Conditions in the present scenario, with the increased inefficiencies have made it hard for this sector to care of the old people.

Mental health sector

One in every four individual in Australia is suffering from mental illness. It is also a matter of concern that there are not enough mental health resources. As a mental health professional, an individual can pursue a variety of career paths, including working in national mental health policies and strategy, or in a consulting or support capacity for a government, foreign agency, or non-governmental organisation.  It has been discussed by Edward, et.al (2015), that a career in mental health can be very satisfying although daunting at times regardless of the amount of inspiration. Having a career option in the mental health sector entails frequent collaboration with a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, doctors, social workers, and many others. To have a high quality of treatment for patients, you must be able to interact efficiently and collaborate with the rest of the team.

One of the occupation that I would like to venture upon is this field is that of a counsellor. In the present conditions worldwide, there have been an increased number of people who are dealing with the mental health issues and they deserve and require help. Because of the Covid -19 pandemic, there has been a significant impact upon the mental health of the people and not only the adults but also the teenagers, children and the aged people have been suffering from depression. It has been stated  by Vijayalakshmi, et.al (2015), that as a counsellor, it would be easier to lend them an ear, help them out, hear their story and also suggest them the solutions. It would allow me to spread positivity, and aid them to develop their perspectives towards optimism. What is more important is that the mental health care professionals in the present scenario are not much competent enough, thus I would like to help people as I have a keen interest upon the social service sector. Further this career opportunity is something that has a low stress level and a better work life balance it would also be enriching and I would get to learn a lot from dealing with mental health patients (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020).

Aged Care sector

The Aged care services in Australia have been facing immense troubles and challenges. Further, as per the discussion of Lea, et.al (2016), with the increasing number of people, turning old, and requiring the care, there have been immense number of job vacancies in this sector. It is difficult, but the payoff is enormous. In aged care, there can be many wonders, such as a stroke victim relearning to speak or an Alzheimer patient recognizing a loved one who has wanted to meet. It can be the most heartfelt and uplifting work in the world at times. It has been discussed by Clarke (2015), that according to the Australian Government, there will be very high potential employment growth for Aged Carers within the next 5 years, implying that the possibility of getting jobs as an Aged Care employee are very good. Working as an Aged Care worker will not only allow an individual to provide social, psychological, and physical support to senior citizens, but it will also allow him or her to significantly enhance their lives and well-being.

At all grades, the aged care business demands a diverse workforce. Many employees start as support personnel and gradually progress to management roles through hard work and training programmes. Moreover, as per the discussion of Bloomfield, et.al (2015),to have a good career in the aged care sector, staff must possess a number of main skills and qualities. Employers seek candidates who have a compassionate and cooperative personality, excellent communication skills, persistence and discretion, as well as being physically fit. Many aged care staff ought to have a good attitude, be knowledgeable, and have a natural concern for the elderly or disabled.

I would be choosing to be a social worker in this field. There are several reasons for choosing this career option. As a social worker I can ensure that I would be having a positive impact upon the community. Communicating with the old people, hearing their story, being with them, gaining their life experiences through their narratives and also bringing a smile on their face can be one of the most beautiful feelings in the world. This feeling if turned into a full paid hob, might not be a wrong choice. As per the statement of Weale, Wells & Oakman (2017), nothing is more satisfying in the world than entering a room filled with the old people, who smile at the person be comfortable with.

Recommendations

SANE Australia is one of the organisation that I would like to apply for the job opportunity. This is because, as a mental health counsellor, I would ensure that I reach out  to the specific people, and provide treatment to their specific problems with the appropriate measures. It has been stated by HAppell, et.al (2015), that a counsellor is someone who provides the best and the achievable solutions, so that the problems and the issues can be treated in a realistic manner, I would be suitable for this job since I have a logical and a realistic bent of mind, where I can communicate with the people easily within the specific time.

Regarding the Aged Care services, as a social worker, I would like to work in CARE Australia. This is because it is one of the leading international organisation that helps to save lives and provides effective job opportunities. I consider myself eligible for the role because as a compassionate person, I know that safety of the people is important. Patient care and dealing with them in specific problems is one of the greatest challenges further, with proper achievable solutions, and with the step by step process I would be ensuring that they have a proper life, have companions (Montague, Burgess & Connell, 2015).

Conclusion

Thus from the above discussion, it can be concluded that there have been challenges as well as opportunities in the mental health sector and also the aged care industry. With the increase in the significant population, the demand and the need of services and helps in these areas have increased. With my qualifications and my interest in working with the individuals, I would like to venture into these fields as a counsellor in mental health industry and as an aged care social worker. This is to ensure that there is proper care and service provided to the people who are in need. A job opportunity and a career in these fields would be enriching, with new experiences and also would be uplifting.

References:

Awaworyi Churchill, S., Farrell, L., & Smyth, R. (2019). Neighbourhood ethnic diversity and mental health in Australia. Health Economics, 28(9), 1075-1087.

Berchet, C. (2015). Emergency care services: trends, drivers and interventions to manage the demand.

Bloomfield, J. G., Gordon, C. J., Williams, A. M., & Aggar, C. (2015). Nursing students’ intentions to enter primary health care as a career option: findings from a national survey. Collegian, 22(2), 161-167.

Clarke, M. (2015). To what extent a “bad” job? Employee perceptions of job quality in community aged care. Employee Relations.

Duckett, S., & Willcox, S. (2015). The Australian health care system (No. Ed. 5). Oxford University Press.

Edward, K. L., Warelow, P., Hemingway, S., Hercelinskyj, G., Welch, A., McAndrew, S., & Stephenson, J. (2015). Motivations of nursing students regarding their educational preparation for mental health nursing in Australia and the United Kingdom: a survey evaluation. BMC nursing, 14(1), 1-5.

Happell, B., Gaskin, C. J., Byrne, L., Welch, A., & Gellion, S. (2015). Clinical placements in mental health: A literature review. Issues in mental health nursing, 36(1), 44-51.

Lea, E., Mason, R., Eccleston, C., & Robinson, A. (2016). Aspects of nursing student placements associated with perceived likelihood of working in residential aged care. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 25(5-6), 715-724.

Malla, A., Iyer, S., McGorry, P., Cannon, M., Coughlan, H., Singh, S., ... & Joober, R. (2016). From early intervention in psychosis to youth mental health reform: a review of the evolution and transformation of mental health services for young people. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 51(3), 319-326.

Montague, A., Burgess, J., & Connell, J. (2015). Attracting and retaining Australia’s aged care workers: Developing policy and organisational responses. Labour & Industry: a journal of the social and economic relations of work, 25(4), 293-305.

Pfefferbaum, B., & North, C. S. (2020). Mental health and the Covid-19 pandemic. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(6), 510-512.

Vijayalakshmi, P., Thimmaiah, R., Chandra, R., & BadaMath, S. (2015). Bachelor of nursing student'attitude towards people with mental illness and career choices in psychiatric nursing. An Indian perspective. Investigacion y educacion en enfermeria, 33(1), 138-154.

Weale, V. P., Wells, Y. D., & Oakman, J. (2017). Flexible working arrangements in residential aged care: applying a person–environment fit model. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 55(3), 356-374.

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