A valuable and rewarding career

Are you looking for a flexible, stable and rewarding career path in a fast-growing field?

Across our state, Anglicare delivers essential community services to older Tasmanians and people living with disability. With public health restrictions in place this year, these valuable services have been more important than ever, contributing to keeping local people safe and well.

“Anglicare’s mission is to provide choice, support and hope to Tasmanians,” said CEO Chris Jones. “Support work is much more than a job. It is about maintaining people’s independence and wellbeing and supporting them to meet their goals.

“It’s a really fulfilling role with plenty of opportunities for career progression and ongoing growth in the sector.”

The Tasmanian population is older than the national average and in some communities, more than 20 per cent of people are aged over 65. The number of people living with a disability is also higher than the national average. And with close to 60 per cent of people living outside the capital city, demand for support work is also high in rural and remote communities.

Meet Ankush and Bonnie

Anglicare support work delivers stability in an expanding field – ✔️
Rewarding and challenging work – ✔️

But Disability Support Worker Ankush Watts and Home Care Worker Bonnie Bracken say it can also be fun.

Ankush works in supported accommodation for people with a disability in Glenorchy. It’s a far cry from his original career choice—he qualified as a pharmacist in India before coming to Australia in 2014—but he sees a happy, long term future in it.

My personal values and my cultural background fit well with Anglicare’s values. Every day is a good day and an opportunity to learn. I love the fast pace and the fun-loving culture we’ve developed here. The residents have welcomed me into their homes and into their lives and that is very rewarding for me.

“I’m very happy with my career transformation and would recommend Anglicare and support work more generally to anyone with a compassionate nature and a flair for problem-solving,” says Ankush.

At just 19 years old,  Bonnie (pictured above) knows she’s found the right career – and the right employer.

“I did a course in Aged Care and Disability at Claremont College in year 12 and knew straight away this was something I wanted to do,” she says. “I completed a Certificate 3 in Aged Care and loved my placements, so when a permanent, part-time role with Anglicare came up I was really excited to be successful.”

Bonnie describes herself as a happy and energetic person and she says this positive attitude gives her a strong rapport with her clients.

“I took one lady for a short walk once the coronavirus restrictions were lifted and the look of pure excitement on her face made my day,” she says.

She says joining the Anglicare team is the best decision she’s made.

“I live in a rural community and family and friends are very important to me, so this job suits my lifestyle. More importantly, I feel valued and appreciated – and the very best part is the most amazing stories I get to hear!”

Who are we looking for?

Anglicare supports people with personal care tailored to their needs and activities such as getting to appointments, shopping, meal preparation and social outings. Older Tasmanians are supported in their own homes, while people with disability live either in homes operated by Anglicare or independently.

You might be thinking about a career change or just starting out. You might already have qualifications and experience under your belt or you could even be looking for your first job.

Daniel Eastaway is an Employee Relations Coordinator at Anglicare. We asked him to describe what makes a great support worker for Tasmanians who are older, or who have a disability and this is what he said:

• “You’re a people person. You love meeting new people and finding out what makes them tick.
• “You’re a good listener. You know that everyone has a story to tell, and you want to hear it and understand it.
• “You know that laughter is often the best medicine. You see the funny side of situations and want the person you support to fully enjoy their day.
• “You expect the unexpected. You know that sometimes things don’t go to plan, and that’s okay. Your calm, caring and compassionate nature will guide everyone through the tough times.
• “You don’t have to be a fitness freak, but your energy levels are high, and safety is always at the top of your mind.
• “You’re a communications expert. But we’re not talking degrees. Your skills come from the school of life.
• “You understand that every day is an opportunity to grow and develop your skills, and you’re excited about using new technologies.”

Curious?

At Anglicare, we know that our diverse workforce is one of our strengths. We encourage enquiries from people from all cultural backgrounds, and people with disability. We’d love to meet you. You can even register your expression of interest with us so that we have your details when positions become available.

Read more about working with Anglicare and register your expression of interest here.