Support Network
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All Graduates will have a solid support network established for them. The network includes a buddy, a supervisor in each rotation, a mentor and the graduate recruitment coordinator.
Buddies
Each graduate will be assigned a buddy when they commence with Medicare Australia. Your buddy will be there to help you settle into working life at Medicare Australia and will be able to assist you with:
- finding your way around the buildings and locating amenities and services
- answering those “first day” questions that you may feel nervous asking
- introducing you to your peers
- navigating the surrounding local area (eg. where is a good place to have lunch!).
Buddies will be drawn from previous graduates or current staff.
Supervisors
Graduates will be assigned a workplace supervisor for each rotation. In addition to working with you in developing a Performance Support Agreement at the beginning of each rotation, supervisors will be an active participant in your career and will ensure you are provided with support to develop your skills and knowledge of Medicare Australia.
Your supervisor will play a major role in your career development by:
- helping in the transition from university to work
- setting expectations for standards of work and behaviour
- being a role model
- answering questions on how tasks and projects fit into the bigger picture of how Medicare Australia operates
- acting as a coach and providing feedback
- ensuring attendance at training activities
- assessing and evaluating performance
Mentors
A mentor will be assigned to each graduate. Mentors will be members of the senior management team who have the knowledge and experience to provide guidance, support and encouragement by:
- acting as a role model while helping you to settle into the organisation
- providing you with career advice and introducing you to key people
- providing a broader perspective on cultural, internal and external political issues affecting Medicare Australia
- providing guidance on key professional skills and attributes such as communication, time management, ethics, etc
- participating in an ongoing assessment of your progress throughout your first year
- meeting with you regularly
- providing a safe and confidential atmosphere for you to discuss issues of concern, eg. What your goals and aspirations are and how to achieve them, ‘in-house' workplace matters and marketing yourself for promotion at the end of the program
- acting as a point of stability throughout the program
- providing a network of departmental contacts
- providing an understanding of the role of management and team leaders within Medicare Australia
- assisting in developing your people and project management skills
- developing your awareness of Medicare Australia and its strategic plan and direction, understanding health policies, customer service, quality and continuous improvement
- assisting in developing professional competence, eg. accounting, law, human resources etc.
Social network of graduates
The Social Network of Graduates
(SNoG) assists graduates to connect with other graduates within the public sector in Canberra. SNoG organises a variety of social events throughout the year and is run by graduates for graduates.
Medicare Australia will cover the fees associated with SNoG membership for each graduate during the program.
Last updated: 28 May, 2008