Needs improvement: constant burn-outThe good thingsDHM provided a strong foundation in healthcare through a highly structured training program, during which I completed multiple assessments and exams. The company offered paid, hands-on training that culminated in a Certificate III in Pathology Specimen Collection after a year of service. The teams I worked alongside were incredibly supportive and made even the more challenging days manageable - they absolutely were the highlight of the job and the main reason I miss it. Throughout my time there, I gained invaluable knowledge and experienced significant personal and professional growth.
The challengesThe role offered very little work–life balance. Shifts were frequently changed with as little as an hour’s notice, including alterations to both times and locations, which made it extremely difficult to plan personal commitments around work. I regularly worked multiple 10+ hour shifts in a row, followed by weekend work after a week of full-time hours, with little acknowledgement or support from management. This resulted in a constant state of burnout. Annual leave was rarely approved, regardless of how far in advance it was requested. Sick leave requests were often met with excessive questioning, which created a culture of guilt around taking necessary time off. High staff turnover led to ongoing short-staffing, leaving minimal coverage for shifts and further limiting the ability for employees to access leave. At times, I felt as though I was treated more like a machine expected to process as many patients as possible.