Staff Stories

Award-winning initiative from Dee-Anne is making a difference

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

Award-winning initiative from Dee-Anne is making a difference

Southern Cross Care’s Quality and Clinical Specialist, Dee-Anne Hull MPS, has been recognised by her peers with a national award.

In July, Dee-Anne was named the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) Symbion Excellence Awards 2023 Early Career Pharmacist.

While she was completing her university study, Dee-Anne covered a maternity leave position for the South Australian Pharmacists in Aged Care Project, and this was how she discovered her passion for working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

In her role as Quality and Clinical Specialist, Dee-Anne collaborates with other health experts to support high risk residents in our Residential Care Homes.

“It’s a non-traditional pharmacist’s role. So I am the first pharmacist to be in a role like this within at least the State, if not more,” Dee-Anne said.

“Something I’ve always advocated for is the need that there’s not a one cure for everything. We need to look at what everyone else can bring to the team and work together for that person-centred care.”

Dee-Anne has also become a panellist, workshop facilitator and presenter, and launched the Aged Care Pharmacist- Australia Facebook page, quickly building it into a community of about 260 pharmacists sharing research and discussion.

As an advocate, Dee-Anne promotes the role of pharmacists in aged care, to improve the lives of residents.

“There’s so much work that we can do,” she said.

“It’s advocating for the residents, for one, a lot of residents don’t have someone that can be that voice for them.

“It’s seeing those things that other people can’t see, you know, we are the medicine experts so we know when a dose is too high or too low or whether there’s a medication interaction.

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said the award was a way of acknowledging the impact Dee-Anne is having through her work.

“The PSA Excellence Awards acknowledge the pharmacists who go above and beyond, those who are involved in innovative practice, those who are striving to raise practice standards, and those who, through their professionalism, provide a model of practice which others strive to emulate,” Dr Sim said.

“I am proud to award the 2023 Early Career Pharmacist of the Year to Dee-Anne Hull, who has taken the opportunities to carve a career path of her own in pharmacy, and we congratulate Dee-Anne on her commitment to deliver quality and impactful aged care.”

To learn more about the work that Dee-Anne has been recognised for, watch PSA’s video here.

Meet the local heroes making a difference in Aged Care

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

Meet the local heroes making a difference in Aged Care

In January, Southern Cross Care launched a new campaign to attract more people into aged care roles that make a positive difference in the lives of our residents and clients.

From television to radio, billboards and social media, ‘Be the difference’ is highlighting the rewarding roles on offer in the aged care sector for nurses, carers, allied health professionals and more, while promoting Southern Cross Care’s promise to employees; Work better for life.

The campaign stars real Southern Cross Care residents, clients and staff, who came together over two days early in January with a world-class director and film crew for the shoot. Sourabh Kumar was just one of the staff members who participated. As it turns out, Sourabh’s heroic story is likely to inspire others to harness their own compassionate spirit and make a difference in the aged care sector.

From car wash to care: Sourabh is dedicated to helping others

In just two short years, Sourabh Kumar has gone from car wash attendant to a valued member of the aged care team at Southern Cross Care. But Sourabh’s passion for helping older Australians has always been there.

The car wash where Sourabh worked was co-located with a shopping centre, which is where he first saw the opportunity to help. “When I visited the shopping centre in my lunch break, I used to see older people who needed some help to walk and do their shopping… I used to think that I could be the one to help them,” Sourabh said.

“Sometimes I used to help them with their bags and have a conversation with them and they always gave me very good advice. Older people have such good life experiences and you can learn so much from them.” It was one incident in the shopping centre car park that really inspired Sourabh to make caring his career. An incident that proved that Sourabh had the compassionate nature it takes to be a great carer.

This natural caring instinct soon inspired Sourabh to undertake formal studies, before starting his new career as a personal carer in residential aged care. In his role, Sourabh supports residents with a range of daily tasks and activities, including personal care, walking, enjoying meals and building their independence and confidence. Sourabh says that he feels rewarded by his job, and is inspired by the residents to do more and be a better carer every day.

Bus driver Steve loves getting Out & About, and his clients love it too!

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

Bus driver Steve loves getting Out & About, and his clients love it too!

After a long career as a stonemason in England, Steve Carter has found his calling as a bus driver for Southern Cross Care in SA.

Steve said he loves his job because of the constant interaction he has with clients.

And the clients love everything about Steve - especially his accent.

“Most people’s ancestors are from England so we’ve got something in common straight away there and even if they’re from Australia I’ve got an accent so they like me to talk,” Steve said.

“I say hello in the mornings and I always have a bit of humour with all of them because 90 odd percent of them are quite funny anyway, quite humorous - they always think I know the queen because I’m English, so we have a bit of banter.”

Although Steve drives the bus for all sorts of outings, his favourite trips are Out & About, which offers new experiences and a chance to socialise for anyone over 55.

He said Out & About trips were the highlight of his week because of the variety of the trips and that all-important social aspect.

The day almost always starts with morning tea and coffee, before Steve drives the group to the event of planned destination, then they enjoy lunch, and finally everyone returns home feeling uplifted from the social outing.

Clients often give wonderful feedback about not just the trips, but also Steve’s professional work.

Her fellow bus passenger Barbara added, “A big thumbs up to our driver Steve. He is the most professional, helpful, supportive and patient driver ever.”

Anyone aged over 55 can go on an Out & About trip, you don’t have to be a Southern Cross Care client. For more information about upcoming trips, and to join Steve for your next day out, visit our page.

Southern Cross Care partners with Findon Technical College to give students a head start

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:00:00 +0000

Southern Cross Care partners with Findon Technical College to give students a head start

In a partnership with the brand new Findon Technical College, Southern Cross Care will be offering a new pathway for students into a career in health and social support.

The technical college will support students in years 10 to 12 to complete the SA Certificate of Education (SACE) while undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in specialist state-of-the-art facilities.

Students will learn alongside Southern Cross Care staff and will graduate job-ready, with all the skills and qualifications they need to start their career in aged care.

Southern Cross Care Executive - People and Culture, Michael Rasheed, said the first-of-its-kind partnership would offer students a unique opportunity to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support or Allied Health Assistance, at the same time as completing their SACE.

“As SA’s largest not-for-profit in the aged care and community services sector, Southern Cross Care is excited to partner with the South Australian Department for Education in helping to give students a head start in their careers, and build the aged care workforce of tomorrow.”

Southern Cross Care has committed to employing up to 15 personal care students and up to five allied health students each year once they complete the program.

Michael explained, “The hands-on experience from the program will give the students the skills they need to be the difference in the lives of our residents and clients whilst embarking on a fulfilling and rewarding career.”

Applications are still open for years 10 and 11 in 2024. Visit the Technical Colleges website to learn more, apply and kickstart your career.

Best career choices for jobseekers in 2022

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:15:21 +0000

Best career choices for jobseekers in 2022

Chloe Young, one of our incredible Registered Nurses, was featured in The Advertiser over the weekend. The story highlights some of the fantastic career opportunities offered to young job seekers by the aged care sector, and charts Chloe's inspirational learning and development journey with Southern Cross Care.

She started with us as a personal care worker when she was 19 and in her first year of a nursing degree.

Upon graduation she was promoted to a registered nurse, and now works as the operational support and clinical facilitator, supporting other staff with education, training and continuous improvement.

“Early career nurses gain varied clinical experience working in aged care, particularly in emergency care,” Young says.

“My career has progressed quickly and I’m currently a level 3 registered nurse, based on my experience in aged care.

“This would have taken me much longer to achieve in a hospital setting.”

Southern Cross Care CEO David Moran says more than 20 per cent of the not-for-profit aged care and retirement living services provider’s current workforce is aged under 30.

“The aged care sector offers fantastic career progression opportunities for employees,” he says.

“We consistently find that young people are inquisitive, eager to learn and determined to build strong relationships with our clients."

We are a growing organisation looking for compassionate and capable people to join our team. Click here to find out more.

A day in the life of Admin Assistant

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 01:00:00 +0000

A day in the life of Admin Assistant