Meet Mary Carr, Health & Allied Services – Coordinator/Senior Specialist
When you speak with our Health & Allied Services – Coordinator/Senior Specialist Facilitator, Mary Carr, what is immediately clear is that she loves what she does. Mary brings warmth, deep industry knowledge, and a genuine passion for helping students succeed in their qualifications and future careers.
Mary joined Time Education & Training in 2021, bringing with her several years of experience both as a trainer and from hands-on work in the healthcare sector. Before becoming a trainer, she spent five years working in aged care and individual support. Those experiences shaped her understanding of what compassionate, skilled care really looks like. She then discovered her love of teaching while mentoring students during their placements and new staff at her facility. ‘I enjoyed that part of my role so much,’ she says. ‘When the opportunity came up to complete my training and assessment course, it just made sense.’
Since then, Mary has dedicated her career to empowering others through education. Today, she coordinates and delivers three nationally recognised allied health courses: the HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services, the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, and the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support. Each course plays a vital role in preparing students for meaningful work in the health and community sectors.
A typical day for Mary is a blend of training, supporting her team, and connecting with students. She might be delivering a class, marking assessments, developing new learning resources, or simply checking in with her trainers to see how their sessions are going.
‘I always make time for my students,’ she says. ‘Whether they need help understanding a concept or just want someone to talk to, I’m here. That connection is so important.’
At Time Education & Training, professional development is a core value, and Mary’s work goes beyond the classroom. She stays closely connected to the industry by visiting hospitals and facilities, observing how new technologies and procedures are shaping modern practice. Recently, she attended a conference on the reprocessing of endoscopes and spent time at the North Eastern Community Hospital learning how the process works in practice. ‘That experience gave me fresh insights to share with my students,’ she says. ‘As specialist trainers, it’s important to stay current so that what we teach reflects what’s happening in real workplaces.’
What Mary loves most about her role is watching her students grow from nervous beginners to confident professionals. ‘For our health qualifications, I spend around 12 months with each group,’ she explains. ‘By the time they come back from placement, they’ve changed. They’re more confident, capable, and ready for their next step. My goal is always their goal: to help them find work they love.’
One student’s journey, in particular, stands out for her. ‘I had a student with disability who started off very quiet,’ Mary recalls. ‘Over time, she became a leader in class discussions. She’s now working two days a week at a dental practice, sterilising instruments. Seeing that transformation is why I love my job. I’ve learned to stop doubting myself and to take pride in my students’ success. Helping them find their confidence and their place in the world is what it’s all about.’
For Mary, training isn’t just delivering content but more about building trust.
‘Many of our students haven’t studied in a long time,’ she says. ‘I tell them this is adult learning, not school. I speak with them, not at them. I want them to feel supported and know they can succeed.’
Outside of work, Mary channels her creativity into art. She’s recently discovered a passion for glass fusing and resin art, spending weekends creating colourful, intricate pieces. ‘It’s relaxing and rewarding,’ she says. ‘It’s similar to training in that it’s about creating something meaningful.’
If you’re considering a career in healthcare or want to make a difference in people’s lives whilst learning from one of our passionate trainers, explore our allied health courses today.
