From Speech Pathologist to Lecturer: A Passion for Education

 

Meet Melissa (Melba) Ridd – a Flinders lecturer in Remote Health (Allied Health), fueled by a desire to help others, she is passionate about clinical education, particularly interprofessional practice, and helping children communicate effectively.

“I am passionate about interprofessional practice (and therefore, interprofessional education) so clients/patients can receive the most efficient and effective health services, without having to ‘tell their story’ over and over again.”

Her journey to her current role began with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Newcastle University, which she completed in 2007. After several years of exploring different roles in speech pathology, she settled in Darwin and started supervising students in the workplace, leading to her passion for quality clinical education. Eventually, she completed a graduate diploma in clinical education at Flinders University, which supported her in her current role as a lecturer. Melba is now completing the Masters in Clinical Education.

“I got the opportunity to complete a two-day clinical supervision workshop at Flinders in the NT which blew my mind.

I loved that there was a world of evidence-based clinical teaching frameworks, and I started using them the very next day. Thus, my passion for quality clinical education was sparked.”

Melba’s role involves teaching, research, and supporting quality student placements, which means that every day is different. Her work activities range from meeting with supervisors around the NT and developing placements, teaching supervisors and students clinical education skills, and engaging in research activities.

“I can’t describe an average day, as every day is different (which is why I love it!).”

She put what she learned at Flinders into practice in both her clinical and university settings, and she hopes to one day teach into the Clinical Education Masters course.

“I have learned so much, some of which I was able to apply immediately. Components of the graduate certificate in clinical education helped me with delivering feedback, supporting learners in difficulty, and structuring a formal teaching session.”

Melba recommends studying at Flinders University for its flexibility in planning your study around your life. She advises current students to plan their semester carefully, including diarising when assessments are due, to help manage their workload.

If the idea of doing a Masters is too intimidating, she suggests starting with a graduate certificate and then deciding whether to pursue the graduate diploma or Masters.

“The Clinical Education course staff have been approachable, knowledgeable, and flexible and have broadened my thinking and learning.

If the idea of doing a Masters is too scary, just apply for the graduate certificate. If you like it, you can go on to complete the graduate diploma, before deciding about the Masters.”

Flinders’ Clinical Education course is the perfect platform for those who share Melba’s passion for improving clinical education and making a positive impact on people’s lives.

Explore how the comprehensive curriculum and practical learning experiences could help you deliver quality education in health service settings. Explore Clinical Education courses.

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CMPH Staff Flinders NT Rural and Remote

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