As Australia’s critical health services carry the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic, one Waterloo local and medical practice manager credits TAFE NSW for equipping him with leadership and management skills to guide his frontline team through challenging times. 

Medical Practice Manager Hernan Medina completed the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management at TAFE NSW Granville just before the pandemic reached Australian shores and said the crucial emergency management, team communication and strategic planning skills learnt during the course prepared him to respond to this unprecedented event. 

Health Services around the country have had to change the way they work, rapidly adapting to new technologies like telehealth conferencing and implementing heightened measures of hygiene control. The Australian Medical Association reported last month that more than 2.5 million telehealth consultations were conducted across the country.

“Leadership and management skills have never been more important in a time where our whole medical practice business model needed to change so we could continue to serve patients in isolation,” Hernan said. 

“The skills learnt in my Diploma and discussions with industry recognised teachers helped hone my leadership skills and apply what I had learnt in the classroom to real world situations.” 

Having worked in the Health Industry in Australia and abroad for 35 years, Hernan is just one of the many people who turn to TAFE NSW to apply new skills to their career.   

Sue Huntington, Head Teacher in Business at TAFE NSW, said Hernan’s experience studying the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management was a great example of the benefits of this course for current and prospective leaders. 

“Whether you’re looking to reskill or upskill in your career, TAFE NSW delivers practical skills for lifelong learners at all levels of their career,” Ms Huntington said. 

“The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management course is an essential qualification for managers across all industries who are looking to lead agile teams. This will ensure their success in the changing nature of work and during events like a global pandemic.” 

TAFE NSW Leadership and Management students will continue their course this term using connected learning, where students learn with a teacher and other students via web conferencing technology as part of a virtual classroom. Connected learning supports social distancing, while enabling students to progress their studies.  

To find out more about the Leadership and Management courses at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au, or call 131 601. 

Media Contact: Jessica Cortis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, 0456 170 211.