This week I spoke to Monash University Physiotherapy graduate Isabella Smith about her tips for successfully transitioning from university to your first hospital job and her experiences working in a hospital, including in an intensive care unit. We also spoke about Issie is integrating education and research into her clinical work and her plans for developing her career in the years ahead. Thanks Issie for a great conversation.

In this episode

0:00 About this episode, welcome Issie

2:00 About Issie – background, interests and transition to working life

5:05 What area did you see yourself going into when you were in uni?

6:15 What is it like working in ICU? It’s never boring!

9:37 It can be quiet dawning working in ICU but the foundations are similar to other areas of physiotherapy

10:20 How to communicate with other health professionals in hospital and ICU settings

11:10 How did university prepare you to start working as a physio?

12:30 People don’t fit into neat boxes, they often have complex medical needs

13:58 What are the most important foundational knowledge and skills for a physio? The ability to tailor your communication to different people. The ability to reflect on your practice.

16:30 Finding mentors

19:00 How does teaching and clinical education help you develop as a physio?

24:00 Advice for physios re-entering the hospital system

25:16 How do you see our profession changing in the future?

27:23 How do you keep on top of new research and trends in practice? Teaching is a great way to learn

36:00 Combining education and teaching with clinical work as a new grad physio

40:55 Make the most of opportunities and look at the bigger picture

This is a discussion aimed at health professionals and health professional students. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

Connect with Issie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-smith-7ab268181/?originalSubdomain=au

Issie’s Monash University Profile: https://www.monash.edu/medicine/study/meet-our-students/isabella-smith

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Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.