Health science

What would you like to study?

Runu Hann - Master of Pharmacy (Honours)

What's next... for Runu's passion for health science

From the family farm to industry placements, Runu is setting herself up for success in the health industry.

Meet Runu

Why study health science at RMIT?

Put theory into practice in purpose-built labs and clinics

Learn best practice with industry-developed courses

Gain experience with work placements here and overseas

Discover health science

Become a world-class health practitioner

The demand for innovative health professionals is high, and career prospects are strong as the medical system moves from "sick care" to "health care". As a result, there's a focus on wellbeing, prevention, early detection and treatment.

Whether you’re studying in our anatomy labs, nursing wards, nuclear medicine workstations, or on sports fields, RMIT's equipment, facilities and teaching staff are purposefully chosen and designed to help you get the real-world skills employers are looking for.

Care for what's next

Skilled health and social care professionals are needed to meet the growing demand for jobs in Australia, which is projected to grow by 19% by 2022. Bring your vision for the future to life with a certificate, diploma or degree in community services from RMIT.

Health and biomedical sciences at RMIT

RMIT health and biomedical students reveal why they love what they do, as well as the highlights, the challenges and some helpful advice.

Get the RMIT know-how in health

Learning industry skills with hands-on application means that Elizabeth Jones has the RMIT know-how in aged care assistance.

Certificate III in Individual Support

Health and Biomedical Sciences

RMIT health and biomedical students reveal why they love what they do, as well as the highlights, the challenges and some helpful advice.

Transcript

This video features six students each talking individually to camera in various settings. Upbeat music plays throughout.

Duration: 1 minute 46 seconds

[Opening title]
RMIT University presents

[Screen title] Why Health and Biomedical Sciences?

Speaker 1: So, I was inspired, by spending a lot of time in hospital, and really enjoying the work environment that they had there.

Speaker 2: In high school I took biology as one of my subjects, and I fell in love with it.

Speaker 3: This whole system pumps blood to pretty much every cell in the body, so I started reading more about it.

Speaker 4: I want to make people feel better.

[Screen title] Why study at RMIT?

Speaker 1: I knew RMIT had a great program.

Speaker 5: It does provide many good extracurricular activities.

Speaker 6: Because it's a three year course, with a fourth year being a four-year internship.

Speaker 3: Pretty much meeting new people.

Speaker 4: It's just really nice to be part of a community and have all these friends.

[Screen title] What are the challenges?

Speaker 1: Staying on top of all the work.

Speaker 4: Just trying to organise my time better.

Speaker 6: Every single patient is different, you aren't gonna have the same patient.

Speaker 3: I'd say, time management; so managing between your schoolwork and your social-life, and at the same time getting enough rest.

[Screen title] After you graduate, what’s next?

Speaker 2: Hopefully I'd have an internship.

Speaker 6: I'd love to be in a private clinic in Radiography.

Speaker 4: In five years' time I'd want to, set up my own clinic.

Speaker 3: Probably become a doctor hopefully.

[Screen title] What’s your advice for future students?

Speaker 4: Find what suits you.

Speaker 6: It's all about you, trying to find out which is your path.

Speaker 1: Get to know everyone in your degree.

Speaker 5: Pick something you would love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life. It's very cliché, but it's actually true.

[Closing credits]
RMIT University logo
CRICOS provider number: 00122A

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Pressure Injury Care - Get the RMIT Know-How

Pressure injuries are a real issue for the health of older people, like residents in aged care homes. Lying too long in one position can restrict blood flow and cause injuries to the skin and infections.

Transcript

[Start transcript]

Elizabeth Jones: Hi, my name is Elizabeth Jones, and I'm a graduate in the Certificate III in Individual Support. One of the things I know how to do well is pressure injury care on my patients. They can occur in any of the bony prominence on the body. It is caused when the pressure is built up on the skin, and it restricts the blood flow. So the bony prominences are mostly common in the sacrum, back of the elbows, and on the back of the heels of the patient. This can be prevented by using an air mattress or having a pillow in between their legs or any extra padding on the bony prominence. So let me show you how to do that now. So, first of all, you will acknowledge your patient. Hi Mary, I'm going to move you now. Is that okay? Obviously, Mary's is not going to respond, but normally this is what you would do.

Elizabeth Jones: Pull the blankets back just a little bit. Raise the beds because we want to protect our backs, put the head of the bed down just to make it safer for the patient and safer for us. Then we would use a slide sheet, and it prevents the friction or the tearing of the skin, which can also lead to pressure injuries. Pull in the blankets all the way back, protecting the patient's dignity at all times. We would lift this leg and put the arm over the chest and roll the patient safely. Take the slide sheet out and place it underneath the patient and then gently roll them back.

Elizabeth Jones: Repeat the same on the other side, making sure the slide sheet is nice and flat, roll it down again. And then in one swift movement, my colleague would push towards me, and I will pull up, and the patient will turn. In three, two, one. Once the patient is on the side, we would stabilize their legs, remove this slide sheet by pulling downwards, not to rip their skin, place a pillow behind their back to give them some extra support and comfort, and a pillow in between their legs just to prevent any further rubbing or pressure on the ankles or knees. Reposition them, make sure they're nice and comfortable and then cover them back up. And there you have it. Pressure injury care is something I know how to do really well. I care for my career because I have RMIT Know-How.

[End transcript]

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Career outcomes

Make a difference

The field of health science strives to make a difference in the wellbeing of people in a range of settings.

RMIT health science graduates are well-placed to pursue essential roles in pharmacies and laboratories, dentistry practices, hospitals, aged care facilities, and more. They might find work with athletes to assess and improve fitness and physiology, with vulnerable members of the community, or in government settings making important social change.

Depending on their area of study, students might work with mental health, ageing, disease treatment and prevention, in nuclear medicine or radiography, in denture construction or optical dispensing. The career possibilities in health science are as broad as the field itself.

Industry connections

Real work experience

Health science at RMIT boasts strong industry links and purpose-built facilities, producing health practitioners with skills that are valued all around the world.

Our diverse range of health, medical and wellbeing programs teach you practical solutions to global health issues. Programs are developed in consultation with practising professionals and many offer industry placements, student clinics and work experience in Australia and overseas.

Facilities and locations

Take a look at our world-class learning, training and research spaces that include nursing wards, a virtual radiotherapy treatment room, dispensaries, and our health sciences teaching clinic.

Exterior of the RMIT health sciences building

Health Sciences Clinic

RMIT's Health Sciences Clinic provides critical clinical training for students from Chinese medicine, Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Psychology programs to meet registration requirements.

This is Health and Biomedical Science at RMIT

Here's a peek at the excellent health and biomedical science facilities you have access to when you study health and biomedical science at RMIT.

Experience health science at RMIT

Learn from industry leaders and become the health practitioner you aspire to be.

Group of students smiling, writing and looking at an ipad

Study what you love — for free

The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance is a Free TAFE priority course within health science at RMIT. If you meet eligibility requirements, your tuition fees for this course are fully covered by the Victorian Government.

In this certificate, you'll learn how to assist allied health professionals, including nutritionists, physiotherapists and podiatrists. You will also have the opportunity to complete full-time clinical placements, gaining skills that will set you up for a career in community health, hospital care, rehabilitation or special needs assistance.

Discover what's next with Free TAFE

Learn from the best

Professor Charlie Xue is a World Health Organization consultant, and chairs the National Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. He works on evidence-based integrative healthcare research to assess the efficiency of Chinese medicine.

Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health Nursing