Frequently Asked Questions—Graduate Programs

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What do I include in my CV and cover letter?

Your CV must include:

• contact details (including a non-university email address)
• education details
• qualifications
• professional memberships
• all clinical placement experience/work experience
• at least two clinical references with contact details including professional email addresses

Your cover letter should:

• identify how your skills will benefit Mater Health Services and what strengths you will bring to the role
• include information that clearly defines your level of education
• clarifies which speciality/area you are interested in
• identify areas where you excelled, or were particularly interested in pursuing a career
• promote the skills you possess to fulfil the job requirement.

 

To whom should I address my application?

As your application will be reviewed by several people, please address your cover letter to the Graduate Committee members (e.g. Dear Graduate Committee members).

 

What happens after I submit my online application?

Once you have submitted all of the required documentation, you will receive an automated email acknowledgement of your application. If you do not receive this notification, please contact the graduate nurse recruitment team) to confirm if your application has been lodged.

If you are offered an interview, you will be contacted via email or phone with the date and time for interview. If you are unable to attend at the allotted time, or you would like to decline an interview, please contact the graduate recruitment team as soon as possible.

If you are not short listed for an interview, you will be notified via email.

 

What happens if I submit a late application?

Applications lodged after the closing date will not be accepted.

 

What is involved in the interview?

Your interview will involve four different activities and take approximately two hours to complete. The activities include a team activity, a role play activity, a one-on-one interview and a paper-based activity.

The purpose of this interview format is to allow participants to demonstrate competencies relevant to the successful performance in the graduate nurse role. This Interview model is one of the most effective tools in measuring abilities and allows evaluation of each individual’s practical and analytical skills, as well as their ability to interact and work as part of a team.

 

What do I bring to the interview?

You must bring:

• a current form of photo identification (passport, drivers licence, university identification)
• two (2) recent practical reports. You must bring with you the original and a photocopy of each report

If you are applying for a specialty program (such as critical care, oncology, neurosurgical, cardiac, perioperative, or paediatrics), and have attended clinical placement in the specialty you are applying for, please bring the original and a photocopy of the practical report.

 

What happens if I am unable to attend an interview?

As the face-to-face interview is an essential component of the Mater interview process, if you are unable to attend an interview, we are unable to proceed with your application.

If you are applying from overseas or interstate you will need to be available in Brisbane at the time of the interview. The graduate recruitment team will endeavour to contact you at the earliest possible time so that you can organise travel arrangements.

 

When will I be notified of my interview result?

The graduate recruitment team will contact you within two (2) weeks of the completed interview process.

If you are a successful candidate, you will be contacted via email and phone. If we are unable to reach you via phone, only an email offer will be sent.

If you are unsuccessful, you will be notified by phone or email.

Applicants who are considered eligible for employment at Mater Health Services, but due to limited positions are unable to be employed, will be contacted via email and placed on a short list to be contacted should a position become available in the future.

 

How are preferences allocated?

If you are a successful applicant, your preferences will be considered. We endeavour to allocate candidates to their preferred programs, but due to limited places in some areas this is not always possible. Your offer of employment will include the graduate program to which you have been allocated. If you choose a rotational program, your rotations cannot be allocated until all acceptances and numbers are finalised (which may take an extended amount of time).

 

What happens after I accept an offer?

Once you have accepted a position on one of the various graduate programs, you will be sent a commencement pack from our People and Learning department.

The commencement pack includes all documentation that must be complete, and outlines all required documents, including:

• tax file number declaration form
• commencement notification form
• signed letter of appointment/contract
• employment equity form
• proof of immunity form
• eight or 10 hour shift break agreement
• criminal history check
• commission for children and young people suitability check (copy of blue card) for child youth and mental health service employees.

If you are an international employee you will also need to provide (as outlined in the commencement pack):

• copy of Passport and Visa
• evidence of Health Insurance

 

What are the advantages of working at Mater?

As a permanent employee of Mater Health Service you will receive:

• attractive salary packaging available only for “not for profit, benevolent institutions”—lowering the amount of tax you pay, therefore increasing your take-home pay
• subsidised staff meals and car parking
• discounts to EFM Staff Health Club (and free access to on-site swimming pool)
• access to Mater Childcare centre
• corporate discounts at many South Bank, Woolloongabba and South Brisbane businesses
• access to a wide range of learning opportunities through Mater Education Centre
• University of Queensland library membership
• research support through Mater Research Support Centre and Nursing Research Centre
• close proximity to bus and train stations, and easy access to major highways
• flexible rostering.

 

Can I apply for a graduate position in Queensland if I am from interstate or overseas?

Yes, you are able to apply for our graduate programs online. It is however our responsibility to place Australian Graduates first to fill positions. If there are positions still available we will look to overseas applicants to fill these.

 

Who do I contact if I have questions about graduate recruitment?

If you have any questions about Mater’s graduate programs please contact the graduate support team

May 25, 2010 EAST. Webmaster

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