Nestled on Victoria's scenic Great Ocean Road is the sleepy coastal town of Lorne which is home to healthcare professional, Jason Phieler. As a Nurse Unit Manager at Lorne Community Hospital and an AUSMAT member, Jason consistently demonstrates innovation and remarkable resilience in the face of healthcare challenges.
Journey to Nepal and it’s lasting impact
Jason's interest in nursing began during his final year of high school, when he spent extended periods of time with his grandmother who was battling cancer. Witnessing the commitment of the nurses who cared for her sparked his desire to make a difference. This propelled him to Nepal, where he and his partner Yvette worked with the international not-for-profit organisation, Child Welfare Scheme Nepal. In Nepal, he worked towards empowering village women to improve healthcare accessibility to some of Nepal’s more remote areas. "We trained village women to be primary healthcare workers, establishing health posts to provide essential health services to people who lived in these rural communities," Jason recalls.
His work in Nepal left a lasting impact, not only on his own outlook on life and career path to become a RIPRN but also on the rural communities he worked in. Jason fondly remembers returning to Nepal 10 years later with his family and reconnecting with Bishnu, a former student in Nepal, now a local healthcare worker. "It was only then, seeing Bishnu's journey from student to healthcare professional that it dawned on me the profound impact our efforts had on her life. She became a respected healthcare worker within her community, sought after throughout the district. It took me 10 years to realise how pivotal our work was, transforming not only her life but also profoundly shaping our future directions and approach to life," says Jason.
RIPRN Expertise and Pioneering Nurse-Led X-Ray Services
Back in Lorne, Jason focuses on working towards healthcare solutions. Recognising the need for enhanced medical services & in the face of GP shortages, particularly after hours and on weekends, Jason became one of the first Rural and Isolated Practice Registered Nurses (RIPRN) in Victoria. RIPRNs like Jason play a crucial role in healthcare delivery. They have an extended scope of practice, which enables them to independently administer treatments, perform diagnostics, and manage emergencies when immediate access to doctors is limited.
In his role as Nurse Unit Manager, Jason ensures the hospital is well-equipped to handle the seasonal influx of people. The catchment population, normally around 3,000, increases to 50,000 during peak seasons. His leadership and expertise not only support residents and visitors to receive timely and comprehensive care but also works towards significantly improving health outcomes in the community.
A proactive approach led Jason to pilot the first nurse-led limited X-ray service by Victoria Health Service, a model that has since been adopted state-wide. This innovative approach was a direct response to the need for more accessible and efficient diagnostic services in rural areas. By leveraging his expertise and insights from his international experiences, particularly in Nepal, Jason effectively demonstrated how nurses could expand their roles in healthcare delivery. The success of this program not only improved diagnostic capabilities in rural settings but also highlighted the potential for nursing professionals to take on more diverse and impactful roles in healthcare.
Dedicated AUSMAT deployments
Jason's experiences also fuelled a deep interest in health emergency response, leading him to join AUSMAT in 2016. Since then, he has been deployed to various locations to support emergency health responses. His deployments include the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea during the 2018 earthquake and in response to COVID-19, he has worked at the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility, Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea. In 2022, Jason worked in Timor-Leste during a partnership between the NCCTRC, Menzies School of Health Research and Timor-Leste’s National Tuberculosis (TB) Program to provide mentorship and field support for the National TB Prevalence Survey. The team utilised advanced portable solar X-ray equipment and AI algorithms to analyse X-ray images, deploying heat maps for accurate diagnosis. This innovative approach not only expedited the screening process but also significantly enhanced the precision of diagnoses.
Bringing global experience to local care
Jason's involvement with AUSMAT has enriched his capabilities as a RIPRN. Through international deployments he has honed his skills in adapting to different healthcare environments and managing care in challenging environments. These experiences have directly translated to enhanced practices at Lorne Community Hospital, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where his knowledge of infection control, quarantine management and caring for severe to critical COVID-19 patients in resource poor environments was invaluable.
Conversely, his experience in rural healthcare in Victoria has been instrumental in his success with AUSMAT. The critical thinking and adaptability cultivated in Lorne have been essential in his deployments, allowing him to effectively navigate the complexities of healthcare delivery in diverse settings.
Fostering nursing education in rural communities
Jason is deeply committed to improving nursing education in rural Victoria. Drawing from his experiences, Jason has actively developed and advocated for specialised training programs for rural nurses. "Education is key in transforming healthcare in rural areas," Jason states. "By providing nurses with the right tools and knowledge, we can ensure that these communities receive care that is not just adequate, but exemplary."
Jason has collaborated with healthcare institutions and educational bodies to develop tailored training modules and workshops that address the specific needs of rural healthcare. These programs not only focus on clinical skills but also cover aspects such as leadership, critical thinking, and emergency response, which are crucial in environments where resources may be scarce.
"Empowering rural nurses through education leads to a ripple effect of positive outcomes," Jason explains. "It not only improves patient care but also boosts the morale and career satisfaction of nurses, leading to better staff retention and ultimately a stronger healthcare system in these communities."
A legacy of global and local healthcare impact
Jason career, spanning from the remote villages of Nepal to the coastal community of Lorne, highlights the profound impact that experiences in rural healthcare can have on international health emergency responses. His journey exemplifies how dedication, adaptability, and innovation in healthcare can transcend borders, benefitting communities both locally and globally.
Carla Yeung
Communications and Digital Engagement Officer