Jai finds Emerald a gem of a place to live and play, but most of all to work.
As the Emerald-based Nurse Manager Rural Services for Central Queensland Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drug Services, Jai and his small team covers an area of 88,000sq km, which is bigger than the state of Tasmania.
“I love my job. I’ve been doing it for eight years. I love the laid-back atmosphere that comes with not working in a busy hospital.
“You have more time to spend with your consumers to support recovery in a rural country setting.
“There are numerous communities in the area, including Emerald, Blackwater, Duaringa, Biloela and other Banana Shire towns, so there’s a lot of travel for clinicians to support our community.
“Every day is different. It’s unpredictable. You could rock up to work and find yourself in some beautiful parts of the world, such as the Blackdown Tablelands or the Gemfields.
“This is such a unique place to be. We experience it every day and we get paid to do that.”
Jai says the Emerald community is very welcoming.
“The community embraces new people, and you can quite quickly become a community member, and like me you just don’t leave.”
Jai has been a mental health nurse for 14 years. He enjoys having the ability to connect with people to listen and feel empathy and support them through crisis situations.
CQ is the best place he has worked.
“I did a six-month secondment early in my career in another service and quickly identified this has a better system.
“It’s an amazing place to work. Very recovery focused on how we support our consumers.”
Management is very supportive, and there are many training, development, and growth opportunities.
Outside of work Jai likes to play lawn bowls and enjoys pistol shooting. He has been a volunteer with St John Ambulance for 28 years.
He loves the quiet, rural lifestyle.
“There are three sets of traffic lights in Emerald, and peak hour runs from 4.30 to 4.36.”
“It’s a great place to live, work and play!”
Join Jai and our caring team of passionate mental health professionals.
Apply now for the mental health talent pool.
Applications close: 22 August 2024