Author Archives: Nicole Cook

Why Join Empower? Beyond our Graduate Program

Blog post Career Progression

Regional Manager conducting an informal professional development session with graduate program members

The leadership team at Empower have worked very hard to create a continuous professional development structure beyond he graduate program that is centred around communication and innovation to shape employees into becoming highly effective and perceptive individuals that can lead rational, proactive collaboration.

To ensure that the skills learnt are put into practice our workplace includes different learning & development delivery methods to provide a flexible, accessible and interactive platform to motivate and reward employees for completing personal learning resources. These include:

  • Online courses.
  • Quarterly company-wide events.
  • Clinical development workshops.
  • Individual professional development modules.
  • Individual growth plans.
  • Team & Regional leadership succession plans

At Empower, ongoing professional development is seen as a vital investment in keeping employee skills relevant, especially as the health care industry is rapidly evolving.

All employees benefit from tailored professional training and development programs, designed to prepare them for greater responsibility.

Within Empower, there is a clearly defined career path with associated skills criteria. With your mentor and supervisor, individual growth plans are created and evolve over time to adjust to each employee’s desired development path, promotions and career goals.

Empower Healthcare’s Career Advancement Progression Diagram that illustrates the transition from graduates to clinician, site leader, team leader, regional manger and finally state manager.

Career Progression Line at Empower Healthcare

Empower’s clinician career progression line.

Throughout the year, regular meetings are held to review individual development objectives along with practical assessment results, learning & development metric outcomes and peer reviews. This process sets up our team to accomplish their career growth goals.

Research has proven time and again that there is a positive relationship between career development and employee job satisfaction. Our employees tell us that our commitment to developing individual growth plans and career development activities, which contribute to career success, greatly improves employee satisfaction.

When you’re considering which organisation to apply to, think about whether that organisation offers you the environment to gain practical knowledge, industry insights, career succession planning and hands-on guidance to becoming a valuable and versatile employee.

 

Empower’s Graduate Program

Our professional and comprehensive graduate program can set the foundations for a bright career!

Get the support you need to transition into life as a first-year clinician and extend the skills you worked hard to develop at university.

We have created a comprehensive 12 month program that provides you with the tools and training to grow as a professional through:

  • structured learning
  • mentoring
  • peer support and
  • e-courses.

See our Graduate Success Map below for our yearly graduate program.

Graduate Success Map for Empower's Graduate Program

At Empower, we value our staff and make everyone feel welcomed, accepted, and appreciated. Inclusivity and belonging are a part of our core values at Empower and with our graduate program, you’ll get to train with the best.

If you’re looking to get your physio career kicked off to a great start, make sure you apply with Empower.

Make sure you don’t miss out!

We have 10 graduate program positions available for 2020.

Applications close 10 December 2019.

 

Apply for Empower's 2020 Graduate Program intake

 

Need more info?

Call Lilian our Recruitment Manager for a copy of our our Graduate Program flyer on 0412 709 161

 

Interested in joining the Empower family?

Learn more

In Profile – Kendall Sutton, 2019 Graduate Program Member and Site Leader

Mailchimp Kendall Sutton

Graduate Program Member & Site Leader Kendall Sutton

Name: Kendall Sutton

Position: Physiotherapist, Site Leader

When did you join Empower? February 2019

Why did you choose Empower?

I was at the APA Job Show and, to be honest, was drawn to the guys at Empower for the Keep Cup and show bag they had on offer! I ended up having a long chat with Matthew, the COO and shared a joke or two with him over the course of the night.

I left the APA Job Show really impressed with the supportive and family orientated feel I got from Empower. I hadn’t considered aged care to this point, but something told me that this opportunity could be too good to pass on.

What do you love most about your job?

There’s not one thing that I could isolate. My clients are so grateful for even the smallest of things I do or recommend. I have picked up some awesome dad jokes and been given delicious family recipes from the grandmas – I love building a genuine connection with my clients.

From a career point of view, I get a heap of support from my managers. There’s a lot of room to grow in the company, and since starting in February I’ve also taken on clients in home care, which has exposed me to a bigger variety of conditions.

What has been your most memorable moment?

After working at a different facility for a week or two, I returned to one where I’ve spent the majority of this year – I walked in to see one of my clients, a cute little Italian ‘nonna’, and when she saw me, she praised Jesus for bringing me back to see her. I always have a good laugh with my clients – it brings a lot of joy to their days – and I know I help them immensely from a Physio point of view as well.

Another that comes to mind was a patient who had not been able to use their arm or care for themselves after a nasty fall prior to us meeting. Instead of continuing the current treatment course, I suggested a different approach that has been successful enough for him to take back some independence where he can now dress himself and comb his hair.

In what ways has Empower supported your growth personally & professionally?

To put it simply, it’s the management team’s support of both my natural abilities and the skills I’m learning on the job.

There are multiple aspects to how Empower and my managers helped me to become the Physio I am today. There is a whole matrix of supports to help. One key element is the grad program, which is a structured way to keep me learning. It is both theoretical and practical with an array of experienced practitioners to walk you through different topics. Secondly, from the very get-go you get allocated an experienced mentor in which you can ask questions and observe. No matter how busy my mentor was, they always made sure to address my concerns – this was a pleasant change coming from the busy hospitals I’d experienced during Uni placements.

With their support, I have been fortunate enough to progress this year to the role of Site Leader where I oversee the Empower team’s allied health services at the facility I’m based out of, as well as working with clients personally.

How do your supervisors help you learn on-the-job?

Empower’s culture stands out to me – it feels like a family run business. This is highlighted in their staff. My supervisors were quick to pick up on my learning style – I was eager to get in there and have a go, but always wanted to debrief. I’m a talker, and I needed a sounding board which my supervisors provided me with.

During these discussions, I was asked questions, but importantly, I was asked what my recommendation and thoughts were as well – I wasn’t just being told what-was-what, I was treated as a colleague. There were observations, both ways. I observed them treating clients and they observed me treating clients – not with a marking paper in hand mind you! And so, this process continued; discussions, observation, treatments and ultimately professional growth.

Can you reveal important factors that help a graduate transition into a Site Leader?

On the surface, I feel like becoming the Site Leader was right-place-right-time. In reality, I’ve never been that lucky. I have a pretty big personality, and my sporting career has taken me far and wide where I had the opportunity to represent Australia. I guess when the word leadership is thrown around, I automatically think team captain – and that was me.

Qualities and positive character traits that I believe have led to my career advancement include; a strong work ethic, inquisitive, approachable, creative, enthusiastic, perceptive, compassionate, dependable and personable.

I work hard, I help others where I can, and I always make time for my team when they need me. I put my hand up to help out on weekends when needed (time and a-half is a bonus!). I was able to put my own spin on treatments and suggest new processes to help make our clinicians more efficient whilst working – something as simple as make referrals digital saves time walking around. I love talking, but I am also a good listener. Naturally, this combination goes hand-in-hand with building rapport and friendships with my Empower team, with staff at the location I’m working, and importantly with my clients.

What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?

Save your pennies and be kind to your mother – warned you about the dad Jokes.

On a more serious note, consider joining an organisation that offers a grad program; it’s a nice transition into your working life. It helps get your brain ticking again after finishing studying. The detail of the grad program is where it really helps, from creating goals (SMART goals), to identifying weakness and …

How a Graduate Program Benefits You

Blog post How a Graduate Program Benefits You

Regional Manager showing graduate program members technical therapy skills in a practical workshop

Choosing your first workplace to kick-start your career can be a little daunting and yet so exciting at the same time. An organisation that provides a graduate program can offer you rewarding opportunities and benefits.

Graduate programs can provide you with support, training and a structured plan to help you transition from a graduate into a promising clinician.

So, what sets one graduate program apart from another?

Here’s what you should be looking for when evaluating a graduate program:

1. Mentoring

In a graduate program, you should receive hands-on mentoring that you won’t find in most jobs. A mentor will individually guide and help you through your journey. You can’t find this priceless information in an employee handbook!

2. Exposure to work across varied caseloads

The organisation of choice should be able to offer you the chance to be exposed to diverse environments, clients and conditions so that you can develop well-rounded skills. Research each program carefully and confirm if that you will have the opportunity to thrive in a diverse range of treatment cases with work colleagues from different background experiences.

3. Flexible learning structure

Everyone has their own preferred learning style. Does the organisation take this into account and provide a graduate learning and development program that accommodates auditory, visual and or kinaesthetic approaches?

4. Informal career planning & evaluations

Informal career assessments are a way to help you gain a better understanding of who you are, what you would like to learn and what you would be good at. Through informal conversations and self-reflection worksheets, you can discover your true passions and what is standing in the way from reaching your goals. Make sure your graduate program of choice is genuinely interested in you, your aspirations and is prepared to implement individual activities for personal growth.

5. Clear career succession pathway

Does the graduate program impart a clear career progression advancement pathway? It’s important to know what career opportunities within the organisation are available beyond the graduate year. You want to assess an organisation in terms of its ability in; developing talented people, building a pipeline of future leaders and if you have a sense of control over your career.

Using the five criteria above will greatly help you short-list your preferred graduate programs for application. Have peace of mind that this process will ensure you choose an organisation that can help you become the very best you can be.

 

Empower’s Graduate Program

Our professional and comprehensive graduate program can set the foundations for a bright career!

Get the support you need to transition into life as a first-year clinician and extend the skills you worked hard to develop at university.

We have created a comprehensive 12 month program that provides you with the tools and training to grow as a professional through:

  • structured learning
  • mentoring
  • peer support and
  • e-courses.

See our Graduate Success Map below for our yearly graduate program.

Graduate Success Map for Empower's Graduate Program

At Empower, we value our staff and make everyone feel welcomed, accepted, and appreciated. Inclusivity and belonging are a part of our core values at Empower and with our graduate program, you’ll get to train with the best.

If you’re looking to get your physio career kicked off to a great start, make sure you apply with Empower.

Make sure you don’t miss out!

We have 10 graduate program positions available for 2020.

Applications close 10 December 2019.

 

Apply for Empower's 2020 Graduate Program intake

Need more info?

Call Lilian our Recruitment Manager for a copy of our our Graduate Program flyer on 0412 709 161

 

Interested in joining the Empower family?

Learn more

 …

Occupational Therapy – Providing You With Empowerment For Choice and Person-Centric Care

Blog post Amanda Chan

During Occupational Therapy (OT) Week, Empower is celebrating its amazing occupational therapists and  Amanda Chan reflects on why she joined the profession and the importance of collaborative work and person-centric care.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Working as an Occupational Therapist, I often get this question, “What is occupational therapy?”.  The World Federation of Occupational Therapy defines Occupational Therapy as below.

“Occupational Therapy is a client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and wellbeing through occupation… to enable people to participate in activities of daily life… by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement.” WFOT, 2012.

While many other people in the health industry are involved in the diagnosis of diseases, the occupational therapist’s role is about collaboratively setting and achieving meaningful goals.

Amanda explains, “Whether it be helping a person with selecting a chair that can help them stand because they have difficulty standing from their couch or introducing a person to a bath lifter to help them enjoy a bath again, I always feel a sense of satisfaction when seeing the joy on people’s faces as they successfully engage in these simple yet meaningful activities again.

Throughout my training as an Occupational Therapist, we are taught that engaging and participating in meaningful activities provide positive benefits to a person’s feeling of wellbeing.”

Many occupational therapists work with people who have an illness, have a disability or recovering from an injury, and there is a high degree of sensitivity and respect for humanity that is required for this profession.

“Being able to support people of all abilities to engage and participate in what is important to them is my motivation to be the best that I can be. I enjoy working together with the client to create a treatment plan that is meaningful and reflective of their functional and independence goals, be it a leisure activity like knitting, self-care activity such as having a shower safely or a productive activity like preparing their own meals.”

Meaningful Goals and Working Together

“The person who seeks her services is the expert in their lives. They know what is important for them and what is meaningful to them, and from there, they can work together to form goals and work towards those goals together.

At Empower, we recognise the importance of collaborative work. Cooperating and working together with other professionals, families, caregivers and consumers are important with helping consumers achieve their meaningful goals with a holistic approach.”

Therapy activities provided by Occupational Therapists can include;

  • teaching new techniques to complete the activity
  • relearning tasks included in completing activities
  • providing equipment to assist with completing activities or
  • modifying an environment to enable a person to engage in the activity.

All these can facilitate independence, reduce environmental barriers and provide resources to facilitate a sense of well-being.

Promoting Choice

Health care is becoming more person-centered where consumers are encouraged to make informed choices to better support their needs and well-being.

“With the rollout of the NDIS and the new aged care standards, I can see more relevance in the new health care focus in relation to occupational therapy. There is a shift in health care to promote choice, dignity and respect for consumers.

For example, consumers using NDIS funding have access to services based on goals set by consumers together with the support workers. Looking at the new aged care standards, the new standard of care to be provided to older adult consumers in community and in aged care residential facilities is centralised around maintaining a consumer’s choice, dignity and respect.

This resonates with occupational therapist’s core values where the consumer is the expert of their lives and services provided to them should include their choice in all matters to enable consumers to live life to the best of their abilities. This shift empowers consumers to take charge of their own lives and to be able to make more choices to support their health and well-being.”

Author – Amanda Chan, Occupational Therapist at Empower.

 

About Empower

We Change Lives

At Empower Healthcare, we deliver life changing allied health services. Our whole team is dedicated to building and delivering exceptional services for clients, loved ones, referrers and partner organisations.

Our therapists genuinely care about the people we work with and take the time to build strong relationships that holistically improve social, physical and mental well-being.

We are a successful privately owned and operated organisation that continues to experience significant growth, driven by our fantastic services and family of professionals.

 

How can I find an Occupational Therapist?

  • We have an amazing team of therapists
  • Comprehensive coverage across Metropolitan Melbourne, Mornington and Geelong
  • Responsiveness is our allied health home care service guarantee
  • Services available to residential aged care organisations
  • Friendly and professional staff

 

Call our friendly team on PH: 9583 1364.

 

Learn more on how our Occupational Therapists can help you

In Profile – Emily McLeod, Occupational Therapist

Emily image website4

In recognition of OT Week, Empower is celebrating its amazing occupational therapists and as part of our Staff Profile series, spoke to Emily McLeod about her role as occupational therapist in our Community Services – Home Care division and her passion for helping clients regain independence.

Why did you choose Empower?

Following working in residential aged care and inpatient rehabilitation in my first year out of uni, I developed a passion for the concept of helping people remain living in their home for as long as possible.

I was working with a lot of patients and residents who may have stayed safe and independent in their homes for longer than what they were experiencing, if they had the right supports around them. I wanted to be one of those supports!

In my early conversations with the team at Empower, they said that they agree with this, and that they are passionate about supporting their clients in the community and expanding their occupational therapy services in this area. Empower works with a range of home care providers, from those who are well cared for, to those who are the most vulnerable in our community. I was instantly attracted to the variety of the work that was coming in, and I could feel the amazing team atmosphere even over Skype interview!

What do you love most about your job?

Easy – the smiles on my clients faces when they receive new equipment or learn new ways to participate in activities that they thought were long behind them. Independence is everything. I love giving that to people.

What has been your most memorable moment?

Leaving university, I had no desire to work with children. I felt it was too difficult and that I didn’t have the knowledge or skills to work with young people with different disabilities. Through our growth into working with the NDIS, I have worked with a number of clients aged between 10-18 years, which I now love.

My most memorable moment was only recently – I visited the home of one of my 14-year-old clients who when I first met him; was glued to his Ipad, reliant on his mum for everything, and had a temper that would spark at the drop of a hat.

I was blown away to see him drop his Ipad when I walked in, show me a new book, tell me of a new club he has joined, get his lunch (that he made by himself) out of the fridge and pack a lunchbox for school, and then watch him help his younger brother get breakfast!

Seeing someone shift in their attitude and personal beliefs of their own abilities is amazing – I thought I was just helping him learn basic cooking and creating generic checklists for a morning routine. As it turned out, I had shifted his engagement with all aspects of his life!

In what ways has Empower supported your growth personally & professionally?

The team at Empower have provided me with many opportunities to attend professional development sessions, and always listen when I have suggestions for growth or change. I am constantly presented with new challenges, and always supported while working my way through these.

What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?

Nobody knows all the answers every time. We are all learning every single day – it’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to ask for help. You’ll be surprised how often you ask someone a question to be answered with ‘I don’t know either, let’s find out together’.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Out of the workplace, what are your interests and hobbies?

On the weekends I am usually at home with my boyfriend or spending time with my sister. We love cafes, sunshine, and the occasional afternoon at a bar. I’m not very exciting out of work – I occasionally go on a little adventure into the bush or down to the beach, but most of the time I’m switching off and enjoying some R&R.

About Empower

We Change Lives

At Empower Healthcare, we deliver life changing allied health services. Our whole team is dedicated to building and delivering exceptional services for clients, loved ones, referrers and partner organisations.

Our therapists genuinely care about the people we work with and take the time to build strong relationships that holistically improve social, physical and mental wellbeing.

We are a successful privately owned and operated organisation that continues to experience significant growth, driven by our fantastic services and family of professionals.

 

How can I find an Occupational Therapist?
  • We have an amazing team of occupational therapists
  • Comprehensive coverage across Metropolitan Melbourne, Mornington and Geelong
  • Responsiveness is our allied health home care service guarantee
  • Services available to residential aged care organisations
  •  Friendly and professional staff
Call our friendly team on PH: 9583 1364.

 

Learn more on how our OTs can help you

10 health and wellness tips for office workers

varidesk 1

In case you haven’t heard sitting is the new smoking. Research has shown that sitting for extended periods of time, like sitting at a desk or in a car, can have serious health implications. Aside from developing musculoskeletal issues like neck, shoulder and back pain sedentary lifestyles increase our risk of developing obesity, heart disease, diabetes and even some types of cancer.

So here are our top 10 tips to getting you moving more in the workplace:

  1. Stand up and change position every half hour
  2. Take the stairs where possible instead of an elevator
  3. Organise a group activity (Different exercise every hour on the hour i.e. 10 squats or star jumps)
  4. Rather than sending an email walk over to a colleague to talk
  5. Try standing or walking meetings
  6. Park you’re car as far as possible or better yet walk to/from work or catch public transport
  7. Try sitting on an exercise ball
  8. Drink plenty of water
  9. Use a stand up workstation
  10. Use phone calls as a trigger to get up and walk around the office or better yet walk around whilst talking on the phone

The Science of Massage and why it feels so good

unnamed file

Having a massage is one of the most relaxing things on Earth. I mean it doesn’t take a Scientist to know that having a massage feels so good. But there are a few Scientific things occurring to our bodies during and after a massage that explain why we feel so good.

 

1. Increased circulation

Research tells us that massage leads to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system receptors. Through the physical manipulation of soft tissue and associated chemical responses, the circulatory or cardiovascular system ensures that blood is circulated throughout the body.

Why is this important you ask?

Well blood contains nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and blood cells and the circulatory system is the means to transport these to and from the cells and tissues within our bodies. This creates healthier cells and tissues within the body by removing the toxins and waste to promote homeostasis.

 

2. Increased levels of Happy chemicals: Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin and Endorphins

This quartet is responsible for our happiness and many studies have shown that Massage leads to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in our systems. So not only is Massage beneficial for our Physical wellbeing but improves our Mental wellbeing also.

 

Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurohormone that is released by the Hypothalamus in our bodies and provides us with improved psychological effects. This neurotransmitter helps regulate movement, emotional response and most importantly controls the brains reward and pleasure centers. So for some people receiving a massage induces the same sense of pleasure as physical intimacy, alcohol or recreational drugs. No wonder some people have an addiction to massages!

 

Serotonin

Serotonin is a mood stabiliser and often flows when we feel significant or important. Research has shown that massages can decease our levels of cortisol by 30 percent and when the production of Cortisol is inhibited our brains are in an optimal state to produce serotonin. As a result from the positive impact on mood and feelings of content it is not uncommon for people to fall asleep during a massage despite rigorous physical manipulation.

 

Oxytocin

More commonly known as the “love hormone” is released when massage is not vigorous i.e. a gentle massage you would receive in a spa whilst getting pampered. The increased production of this hormone often leads to that warm and fuzzy feeling inside and is often elevated in nursing mothers or people who fall in love.

 

Endorphins

We’ve all heard of Endorphins but what are they actually? Endorphins or “endogenous morphine” refers to a morphine-like substance originating from within the body (they are produced by the Central Nervous System and the Pituitary Gland). Their primary role is to inhibit the communication of pain signals but can also produce a feeling of euphoria  (an experience of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of wellbeing and happiness) funnily enough the same sensation experienced from other opoids. 

 …

Is your child’s schoolbag too heavy?

children wearing backpacks

With the Holiday period coming to an end most parents are looking forward to their kids going back to school. But before the fun begins most parents find themselves making one last dash to the shops to make sure everything’s ticked off the back to school supplies check list – including a school bag. But how often do we stop and think about the importance of a school bags size and weight?

We’ve put together this simple checklist of considerations to reduce the physical stress on children’s bodies

  • Make sure the total weight of the bag (including drink bottles and lunch boxes) does not exceed 10 per cent of the child’s body weight i.e. a child weighing 40kgs should have a bag weighing no more than 4kgs
  • Bag heights and widths are also important – the picture below features a general sizing guide
  • Try backs made from lightweight materials
  • Make sure the bag has adjustable shoulder straps  and encourage children to use both shoulder straps instead of just one to help evenly distribute the weight – I know one strapping is cooler but there’s nothing cool about a sore back!
  • Bags with padded bags are preferable
  • For High School kids that have to carry heavy textbooks and computers try a back with wheels so that the backpack can be pulled rather than carried
  • Wheels so that the backpack can be pulled rather than carried
  • Always pack the bag with heavier items first, that weigh (pun intended) heavier items are closer to the body’s centre of mass and their is more load on the stronger leg muscles than back

Upper Cross Syndrome – Are you a victim?

upper crossed syndrome

In today’s day and age many of us spend hours on a computer, tablet or phone and are falling victims to Upper Cross Syndrome, but what actually is it?

Upper cross syndrome is a muscular imbalance commonly seen in those with an office based job, drive for long hours, bike riders or people who are frequently on their phones. The muscular imbalances cause a forward neck posture and rounded shoulders resulting in a lot of stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder and upper back. Specifically, the upper traps, levator scap and pectorals muscles become tight and overactive, while the deep neck flexors, lower traps and serratus anterior become weaker. The condition gets its name from the “x” shape that develops when regions of overactive and underactive muscles overlap.

The upper crossed syndrome often compromises scapular function, causing neck strain and pain, thoracic stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches or migraines. The muscle deficiencies result in poor posture in the upper body and can often result in lower body chain reactions, resulting in lower back pain.

Exercise and manual therapy is important to maintain good posture and hinder muscular deficits. Exercises that may be considered include scapular setting, deep neck muscle training and pectoral stretching ensure coordinated and synergistic function of these muscle groups. Manual therapy has also been proven to aid in pain relief and improve function.

If this sounds familiar then get in touch with our team to book an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists, Osteopaths or Massage Therapists to see what they can do for you.…

Shoulder Pain: Where is it really coming from?

1200 520132430 woman having shoulder pain

One of the common causes of shoulder pain is scapulohumeral dysfunction. The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in your body – it relies on the synergistic movements of 4 different joints around you shoulder. The four joints are :

– Glenohumeral joint

– Acromioclavicular joint

– Sternoclavicular joint

– Scapulothoracic joint

It is important to identify the scapulohumeral deficiencies to allow smooth and coordinated movement. Dysfunction of the scapulohumeral junction is often the underlying cause for rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis, impingement etc.

Once your physiotherapist has identified which part of the shoulder complex is deficient, the appropriate exercises and treatment will be prescribed. Talk to one of our team members to have a physiotherapist complete an assessment and treatment plan for you!

 

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