17 January 2022
Article from January 2022 edition of INPractice
Caring, communication and patience are key to working in the disability sector.
New individual support graduate Jordan Mills is only 19 years of age and is already making a name for himself in the disability sector.
After undertaking a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC) this year, Jordan is now employed by Empowering Futures, working with a variety of NDIS clients.
The ANMEC educators were impressed with Jordan’s progress throughout the course, saying he appears to have found his calling.
Jordan has been offered a greater range of clients, more casual shifts (even though he is working full-time hours) and increased responsibility.
“At first I didn’t really have a clue what I wanted to do as a career,’’ he says. However, given his personal experience growing up knowing people with a disability, Jordan felt drawn to the disability sector and has been “really happy” with how it’s been going so far.
He works with a variety of people with different disabilities. Some are fluent in English, happy to talk. Others are more challenged with their ability to communicate.
Jordan says it’s always rewarding to help others. “Whenever you see someone struggling with something and you can actually help them to better themselves in that situation.
“One boy that is my client, really struggles to talk or he doesn’t really talk at all and I’m just trying to get him to start saying small little things. Another young lad, I’m trying to help him get his driver’s licence. He’s really been struggling with that for a while.
It’s nice to see when people are improving, when I can help them actually move forward in the world.’’
A usual workday will depend on what the person wants to do. “If they want to go out and do something we’ll go out and do something,’’ Jordan says. “If they want to watch a movie, we’ll watch a movie. It’s about focusing on what they want to do.’’
For example, “one of the boys likes to catch the bus into the city, roam around the city, go to Glenelg, grab some lunch and then start heading back’’.
Jordan says patience is a huge virtue in the disability sector. “You need to be very caring, very patient … and have the ability to communicate effectively.
“When you meet one of the participants for the first time, you want to be able to talk to them, get to know them because most of the time they’re not going to start the conversation.
If they’re only just meeting you for the first time you’re going to want to make them feel safe around you.’’
The former Modbury High School student also says the job keeps him fit and on his feet.
The workday pace varies. Jordan says that some days at work just feel like a normal day, “other days I am running all day. As I’m younger I’m often allocated the people who run a lot, which is fair.
“And then one of the boys, he’s just a very active young lad. So, we’re at St Kilda Playground, he’s running up and down everything. And because I can’t leave him because he could hurt himself, I’m having to run up and down with him, so I’m dead tired by the end of the day.’’
Jordan says his parents are “very proud of me because this is the first job I’ve actually had. Everyone seems to be really surprised with how I’m doing with my new job role.
“The ANMEC course was really good, the teachers were really nice. Everyone I was with I got along with very well.
“I would recommend the course, I really enjoyed it, I don’t see why others shouldn’t do it. I guess it depends on what kind of a person you are though, it’s not a job suited for everyone.
“All round the job is really good. I really like the people I work with and take care of, it’s really great,’’ Jordan says.
“My friends, they’re very surprised with how much I’m working. I’m casual but I’m still working very often because I’m supposedly in high demand.
“I feel like the disability sector is growing as well, the amount of people who need care. It’s always nice to know I can actually help out families.
“When I initially did this course I had the idea that I would go and work at a special school. But then things changed. I am working at Empowering Futures now, this was where I went on placement while studying with ANMEC. Empowering Futures have been really great to me.
“I’m definitely sticking around.’’
The Aged Care and Disability sectors desperately need workers due to massive staff shortages anticipated for the near future.
To enter the Health Care workforce, you will need to study one of the following certificates:
- CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
- CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
ANMEC, an award-winning service of the ANMF, has partnered with leading providers in the aged care and disability industries to deliver a contemporary Certificate III in Individual Support that embeds the philosophy of empowering older and disabled people.
The leading-edge training is supported by the latest research and evidence-based practice guidelines. The training enables students to deliver person-centred care and support, placing the client at the centre of service with inclusive decision-making and informed client choices about activities of daily living.
Courses start in February with expressions of interest now open:
APPLY NOW
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse background applicants are encouraged to apply.
Inquiries to (08) 8334 1900
Click here to read the January 2022 edition of INPractice