General manager of the Tongala Memorial facility Helene Anderson said the recruiting program was far reaching, from the 2IC role at the home to part-time cleaner positions.
“I am looking for a new care manager, who will oversee all clinical care, work closely with the doctors, myself, families of our residents and allied health services.
"They will need to be experienced in this field,“ Ms Anderson said.
She said one of the hardest things about attracting a professional to the area was the housing crisis, but the organisation had worked around that problem by using temporary accommodation.
“We’ve used a variety of accommodation options to put up our workforce.
“And will continue to do so, because we are also looking for a division one registered nurse and an enrolled nurse,” she said.
Ms Anderson said cleaning staff was also vital to the operation of the facility with the stringent requirements placed on aged care facilities.
She said the early morning shifts started at 7am and 8am, allowing people to be finished by 2.30pm.
“We need at least three cleaners, because it is important to have back-ups.
“I try to be flexible for people,” she said.
The facility is also on the lookout for a lifestyle co-ordinator, and an assistant in this area, to work closely in planning activities for residents.
The social care team will be responsible for the wellbeing of the residents, who also have access to dieticians, physiotherapists, optometrists, hairdressers and speech therapists.
Ms Anderson said she was regularly on the lookout for part-time staff who wanted to add a new set of qualifications to their resume.
“I have just put on some qualified personal carer workers and also some unskilled PCAs.
"Four untrained personal care assistants will be learning on the job.
“They have one day of study a week over a six-month period and by the end of that they will have a certificate three in individual support.
“If they choose to, once the course is finished, they can then work in home care in the community,” Ms Anderson said.
A significant shortfall in aged care workers has created strong employment opportunities in the sector, allowing for a wider-than-usual net being cast in the recruitment process.
There has been a huge spike in mature age apprentices and trainees in Australia as a growing number of Australians re-skill and pivot careers later in life.
The aged care sector is one of the beneficiaries of this process as recruiters and researchers suggest keeping older people engaged in the workforce
Respect took control at the Tongala Memorial aged care facility earlier this year and is staffed by a team of 100 people, spread through its R. M. McHale and Koraleigh facilities.
“I have had a few older people apply and they have started with us,’’ Ms Anderson said.
“There are also mums with young kids, women in their 30s, that have started working with us since the childcare centre has opened in Tongala.”
The aged care workforce is attracting people who are rejoining the workforce and picking up a new skill.
Personal care assistants are in great demand in the aged care sector and once qualified the certificate is recognised everywhere.
Tania Carter has worked at the Tongala facility for eight years, starting out as a cleaner before finishing her certificate four in aged and disability care.
She said last week working in the industry “made her happy”.
“I like to put a smile on the residents’ faces by doing the little things for them.
“The little quirks that the residents have and life stories they share make me enjoy my job and place of employment more each and every day.
"I work with a great team. We all have a laugh and share the ups and downs together supporting each other,“ she said.
