A spokesperson for the health service welcomed Minister for Health Jill Hennessy’s funding announcement.

“This new position will help our community receive treatment closer to home for chronic and acute health conditions,” the spokesperson said.

The minister announced 20 new senior positions for allied health professionals on Tuesday.

Bendigo Health was among 16 health services the government said would be recruiting for the new positions.

EARLIER: BENDIGO Health is set to recruit, as the state seeks to boost clinical research and education in Victorian health services.

The region’s largest employer is one of a number of health services that will seek to add senior allied health professionals to their midst, as part of a state government initiative. 

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy announced the 20 new positions on Tuesday, which consist of 10 Allied Health Research and Translation roles and 10 Allied Health Clinical Educator roles. 

Other health services recruiting for the roles include Alfred Health, Eastern Health, Ballarat Health Services, Barwon Health, Peninsula Health, Melbourne Health, Monash Health, St Vincent’s Hospital, Western Health, Austin Health, Goulburn Valley Health, South West Healthcare, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Royal Children’s Hospital and Bass Coast Health. 

“These new jobs are a fantastic way for allied health professionals to grow their careers,” Ms Hennessy said.

“They can combine a passion for research, while also working directly with patients in the community.”

She anticipated the new roles would enable hospitals to quickly turn around breakthroughs in allied health research into clinical practice, “ensuring patients get new treatments sooner and enjoy a better quality of life”.

“More jobs mean better access to first class allied health care for people recovering from illness or injury, when they need it most,” Ms Hennessy said. 

Bendigo Health is the region’s largest employer, with a workforce of about 3100 people.