Local caregivers level up at Community for the Aged

Staff were presented with certificates after walking down the aisle to applause from their friends, family and residents they care for every day.

The new qualification was earned through a year of Friday afternoon training sessions and now enables these staff members to handle medication administration alongside their existing duties.

ECA clinical education co-ordinator Vik Linke said this would strengthen the care and support the organisation could provide to its residents.

“It was about upskilling them to help with the shortage of staff that can give medication,” Ms Linke said.

“They were all of our current staff that put their hands up to do it... so now we have more knowledge between us here at ECA.”

Aside from the staff gaining a new qualification, graduates Amy Petersen, Aileen Mackrell and Karen Mulenga each said the training brought them closer together as a group.

“It was good to connect with each other on a more different basis,” Ms Mackrell said.

“We’re always on the floor together, but we were kind of like passing ships.

“It felt like (after the training) we all got a real good friendship out of it.”

Ms Linke said ECA would also be running a traineeship Certificate IV program this year for those interested in this sector.

“The future is bright and belongs to those who are willing to pursue it with passion and integrity,” she said.