February 23, 2026Allied Health professionals are a vital part of the health workforce and play a key role in delivering high‑quality patient care at Northern Health.
To further strengthen this capability, Northern Health has recently introduced a new cohort of Allied Health Clinical Educators – 13 passionate educators from across disciplines who are committed to building a vibrant, supportive learning culture.
Since stepping into their roles, the educators have hit the ground running with a comprehensive Learning Needs Analysis (LNA). By engaging clinicians and leaders through surveys, focus groups and stakeholder consultations, they have gained a clear picture of the priority knowledge and skills that need strengthening, as well as how clinicians want to learn.
Allied Health Profession Education Leads, Tameeka Robertson and Talin Gochian, said the work has already had a significant impact, noting that “the clinical educators have done incredible work leading a comprehensive learning needs analysis that truly reflects the voice of our allied health workforce.”
They added that “this insight allows us to tailor education to what our staff genuinely need to grow and thrive. We are incredibly proud to support such capable and passionate educators as they continue to build their capability and strengthen a culture of learning across Allied Health.”
The LNA revealed a strong appetite for more opportunities to learn on the job. In response, the team has developed a new Point of Care Learning Framework – co‑designed with consumers – to support meaningful, real‑time learning right where care happens.
For many educators, this work is deeply connected to their professional values. Thuhini Amaraskera, Clinical Educator for Occupational Therapy and Hand Therapy, highlighted the importance of ongoing development, explaining that “education is fundamental to allied health because our practice is continually evolving. Ongoing learning ensures that clinicians remain evidence based and well equipped to deliver the best possible outcomes for the people they support.”
Similarly, Andy Allen, Clinical Educator for Social Work, emphasised the importance of creating space for reflective and inclusive practice.
“I want to help create space for every practitioner, emerging or established, to lean into their strengths and feel empowered to share their perspectives, their voice,” he said. “Whether someone has been in the profession for five minutes or fifty years, we all have something we can learn from one another. I’m looking forward to launching the Reflective Practice pilot groups within Social Work, with the aim of informing future, more consistent approaches across Allied Health.”
This new team brings energy, expertise and a genuine commitment to making learning accessible, meaningful and engaging. Their work is helping shape an environment where every clinician feels supported to grow and where great education becomes part of how we deliver great care.
Keep an eye out for upcoming workshops, resources and opportunities to get involved.
Featured image: Allied Health Education team.
