So you’ve ticked off the beach hot spots and gone to the iconic tourist attractions, but have you considered regional and rural Australia? There are INCREDIBLE options in this category that shouldn’t be discounted!
Where exactly you suggesting?
We’re talking about anywhere more than 2 hours (often far more) from a big
city – think;
Charleville, Longreach and Emerald in Queensland
Moree, Bourke and Dubbo in New South Wales
Mildura, Swan Hill and Echuca in Victoria, Just to name a few……
Ok…and why should I be considering them?
In places like this, if they need a locum sonographer…they NEED a locum sonographer!. You’re not just helping them keep the sixth ultrasound room open, you may be the service entirely!
Sonographers that head rural are keeping critical services alive; by offering these services in rural areas, patients won’t need to travel hours (for some it can turn into a multi-day trip) for medical input not accessible in their local area.
EQUITY in health services is a real challenge for Australia, with skillset concentration in metro areas a major public health issue. When a sono heads remote, sites are so grateful, and patients even more so! These services are often relying heavily on locum sonographers to support permanent staff for a much needed break; burnout in these areas is rife.
Our sonographers often talk about how interesting it is witnessing how a community and health service functions differently in these smaller, more isolated places. Although imaging departments tend to be small they routinely scan complex cases. This provides unmatched growth and experience as a health professional, and certainly keeps you on your toes!
Anyone can pass through or stay in these locations (grey nomads included!) and we have the true privilege of being able to work in these areas, meeting the locals and getting a taste of the community in action.
What’s the attraction, though?
Good question…always good to be curious! The vast majority of feedback we get from locum sonographers that have gone rural is incredibly positive and rewarding. The staff and general community tend to be very welcoming and go out of their way to make the locum songrapher feel comfortable.
In terms of local attractions, there’s the list on Trip Advisor…and then there’s the locals recommendations, which are often FAR more detailed and accurate! (We’re always ready to share hot tips at SFS too, passed on from the locum before you!).
Sometimes it is not about the attractions – but, just taking your time, enjoying where you are, slowing down and living like a local. Have a picnic with your book at the lake, sink a few beers at the local pub, or just take a leisurely walk and soak up the local landscape – head further afield for a day trip to a national park. Live a little, smell the remote roses!
Final Thoughts
Locuming as a sonographer is ALL about adventure, life experience, and going to and seeing places you wouldn’t normally go. Take the opportunity to learn about what life is like in a rural area – you might be enchanted – you definitely don’t know it ‘til you try it!
And if you’re not up for volunteer work (or can’t do it as much as you like), this is another way you can give back to our broader community with your highly specialised medical skills.
These places are depending on sonographers like you.
Get out there and give it a crack! 😎
