Dr Steven Blefari says the country is full of opportunity

Dr Steven Blefari is a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry based in the South West at the WA Country Health Service (WACHS).

Originally from New South Wales, Steve travelled around Australia in a caravan with his wife and two of his three kids eight years ago and fell in love with the South West and all it had to offer.

He is now based in the small town of Quedjinup, a short drive from Busselton Health Campus, and provides psychiatric services across the region.

“One of the best decisions I ever made was taking a job with WACHS and moving to the South West. There are so many amazing sites to visit along the coast and we have wineries and vineyards across the road, it’s such a magical place to live.

“I have been presented with many development opportunities since working here. I am only three and a half years out of completing my fellowship but I’m already acting in a Director-level position, which I have found to be both challenging and exciting.”

As the only child and adolescent psychiatrist in the South West, Steve chose to specialise with younger people as he enjoys helping them develop and can see the long-term impact these sessions can have on their lives.

“In my opinion, it’s more rewarding working with young people. Some may think it is more challenging but when I have kids come in who visit with different levels of distress and I am able to calm them down and help them continue in their home and school lives, I really feel like I am making a difference.”

Steve is also a senior lecturer with the Rural Clinical School and spends a lot of his time teaching and mentoring medical students, junior doctors and specialist training doctors. He thinks the rural model has a lot to offer from a clinical training perspective.

“Working in the country the career development is amazing. If you want to broaden your clinical skills WACHS is a great place to do it because you can become a true rural generalist and you have great support from your mentors and colleagues. It is a very close knit, supportive organisation and people are always very generous with their time.”

Steve is currently collaborating with others to initiate a dedicated rural psychiatric training pathway for regional WA which he hopes will be ready to kick off in 2023.

“We are really excited about this rural psychiatry training pathway we are creating. It has been approved across all levels and now we are starting to get things off the ground.

“These kinds of projects are what motivates me as I feel like I am actively part of making positive change and influencing our future workforce.”

He thinks it is the perfect time for psychiatrists to join WACHS as there will be a lot of opportunity in the next few years across junior and senior level positions.

“It is a really exciting time for WACHS at the moment especially within psychiatry.

“If you are looking for a change of pace, to mentor, or provide leadership to others, or for an environment where you can learn but also feel well supported, then we are the place for you!”

To find out more about working with WACHS contact our Medical Recruitment Team or visit our living and working in country WA page. For current opportunities visit our medical vacancies page.

Alternatively join the WACHS LiveHire Medical Talent Community to be the first to hear about upcoming locum and longer term opportunities.