New bulk billed service providing jobs
Fifteen months trawling job advertisements has been officially brought to an end for Jessica Robinson as she starts a job with Mackay’s new bulk-billing doctor.
House Call Doctor launched its service in Mackay yesterday and will provide at-home afterhours health care across the region.
For mother-of-three Ms Robinson, the job brought with it an opportunity to “start getting somewhere again”.
“I think I told (the hirer) I loved him,” Ms Robinson said with a laugh.
“It was the first job I’d had in 15 months.”
Tyhleigha Steindl also landed a job with House Call Doctor, after 12 months searching for work.
The women, both born and raised in Mackay, will work as chaperones, helping with the logistic and administrative side of the business.
House Call Doctor chief operating officer Craig Glover said chaperones played a crucial role in helping support the travelling doctors.
“Our chaperones know the Mackay area, they’re the ones behind the wheel, they’re the ones in contact with the call centre and that frees up our doctors to do what they do best – focus on our patients and their health,” Mr Glover said.
After starting slightly more than a year ago with two cars and about six staff, House Call Doctor now has about 160 staff and operates in most other towns and cities across Queensland.
Mr Glover said the success could be attributed to “a great model” which offered patients the chance to be bulk billed.
He said the service also took pressure off hospital emergency departments by giving people an alternative.
“It means people can wait in their bed or their lounge room instead of traipsing out and, on average, our patients are seen within three hours of making a call to 13 55 66,” he said.
House Call Doctor operates in and around Mackay, including North Mackay, Meadowlands and Andergrove as well as outer areas such as Shoal Point, McEwens Beach and Sandiford.
They treat most non-life threatening conditions, from fevers to animal bites and severe pain.
A House Call Doctor bulk-billed visit can be booked by downloading the phone App, phoning 13 55 66 or booking online.
The organisation is still hiring. To apply for a job, either as a chaperone or as a doctor, email [email protected] and put “Mackay” in the subject field.
Hours
Monday to Friday: 6pm to 8am
(Bookings from 4pm)
Saturday, from 12pm (Bookings from 10am)
Sunday, 24 hours
Public holidays, 24 hours
Original Source: Daily Mercury | Emily Smith | 12th July 2016
