A day in the Life of an Aged Care Learner on the Job

I was really scared when I enrolled to complete my Certificate III Individual Support on the Job.

I wasn’t really good at school and wanted to work in an industry where I cared for people and could make a difference.?

The process started with me having an interview.?I was petrified!!?but it was really just a chat to find out whether I had enough work experience to know what the expectations were in the workplace.?I was working at Kmart two days a week so I could demonstrate that I understood what the requirements were on the job.?Some people who got into my group hadn’t been working so there must have been other criteria as well.

We started off in the classroom learning about safety, legal and ethical requirements and supporting our clients.?I didn’t think I would enjoy the classroom work, but I did because I knew it was preparing me for being in the workplace very soon.

The first day on the job was taken up with our induction.?We had gone through a lot of it in class but it was so much more real when we were actually on the job.?While I was still a bit anxious I could see that there was so much I could do to make people’s lives better.?My Dad used to talk about where the rubber hit the road – I was there!!

There was so much that needed to be done!?We still had some classroom delivery but it was now done in a room off the kitchen.?It was just a small group of us and it was learning about what new things we would be doing today.?Sometimes it was done at the end of the day after we had completed our workbooks about what we had done that day.?There was a flow, learning what needed to be done………and then doing it with our teacher supporting us and reminding us about the process.?I was learning so much I often felt dizzy!

Once we had gotten used to the routine a typical day went like this:

Handover:?Meet at the nurse's station and talk about previous shifts.?This included previous shift injuries and any deaths (?) today.?

After the briefing where we clarified anything, we were not sure of, then it was off to work.?

We started the day with ADL’s.?If you don’t know what that is it is Activities of Daily Living.?So, we would work with the residents on showering, toileting, dressing, personal care- whatever is needed to be ready for the day.?Our trainer or mentor was always there if we needed it.?First, we would be shown how to do the task.?Then we would do it with our supervisor watching.?I remember the first time I said I could do showering on my own.?I felt confident and said, “I have got this.?I can do it on my own now.?You only need to check every now and then.?

I have got to say what we were doing didn’t feel like school.?Every day on my way home I would think about what I had learned that day. ?It was HUGE!

Mealtimes were always busy as everyone got served in a small window.?It was sort of like Front of House in a Café.?We would chat and talk to the residents (and often that was when we found there was a problem.)?Some residents didn’t come to the dining room – but regardless it was important that meal time was a social occasion for all of the residents.?Some people needed a lot of support.?Others were just like you and me.?

We spent all morning doing the support work and making notes on our files.?

After residents have had lunch, they often go to have a rest or to read.?That is when we get to debrief in the morning, ask questions about things that were happening and clarify anything we didn’t understand.?We also do our bookwork and answer questions, complete the requirements of scenarios and answer questions.?This is where the school part of the course came in.?It was much more about discussion and finding out what everything means.?I think we actually spend more time learning than in class.?We often meet between classes to catch up on homework and discuss what we have learned.?I think this is the most exciting part of the course.?

I just know I am going to be an amazing Aged Carer.??Already I am friends with many of the residents and love my work.?

Some of the residents try to look after me and give me advice, some of which is very valuable.?Others say I am just like their daughter and share things with me.?I feel so privileged. to be here??I will finish my course next week and feel confident that I will be offered a position.??

If you want to start your career in individual support inquire here: https://www.skillstrategies.net/individual-support