Nicole’s pathway to her dream role

A chance meeting at a client’s home has helped launch Nicole Dalziel into her dream job as an Occupational Therapist at Grampians Health Horsham. 

Nicole began studying to be an OT in Geelong in 2022 and after a couple of years, she returned to her hometown of Horsham where she worked part time in social support while she continued her studies.

During a home visit with a client, Nicole met an Allied Health Assistant from Grampians Health who suggested she would have a better pathway to an OT career by taking an AHA position at the Horsham campus.

In August, 2024, Nicole started working with the Allied Health Assistant team and 16 months later she has joined the allied health team at Horsham as a fully qualified OT.

Nicole said she began her AHA role working mainly in the acute and sub-acute wards at Wimmera Base Hospital.

“As I began my fourth year of study, I started transitioning into assisting the OT team and that has made things so much easier for me now,” she said.

“Working as an OT now, I am already in a comfortable position where I know my workplace, my colleagues and the programs and systems we use for reporting thanks to my previous AHA role.

“I’m very lucky. It couldn’t have worked out better because I wanted to work in Horsham and I’ve got my dream role.”

Grampians Health Deputy Manager Allied Health Assistants/West Megan Byrne said Nicole had been an incredibly flexible team member during her AHA role.

“She worked across all areas of the Horsham campus and helped at the Edenhope campus when required,” Mrs Byrne said.

“Her commitment to learning and her genuine care for her clients have made her an excellent AHA.

“The AHA team is incredibly proud to see her hard work recognised as she embarks on her OT career, we are thrilled that we will continue to work alongside Nicole in her new role while we watch her grow as a clinician.”

Ms Byrne said Nicole’s story was a fantastic example of the valuable career pathway available to allied health students.

“Working as an AHA while studying provides hands-on industry experience, builds confidence and skills and offers students a meaningful way to contribute to consumer care throughout their studies.”

Grampians Health Chief Operating Officer Ben Kelly welcomed Nicole to the Allied Health team at Horsham.

“What Nicole has been able to do is another example of how we are enabling opportunities across our organisation through innovative workforce models,” Mr Kelly said.

“It’s exciting to see someone with Nicole’s enthusiasm have the opportunity to pathway to her dream role and we wish her a long and successful career with Grampians Health.”