Setting: Supported living for people with a learning disability.
Making a difference and helping has always been key in any role I undertake. I love being with people, problem solving and making a positive difference. Sometimes I have to be available to support people when they are very sick, but this is something I find a privilege and my knowledge of multi-disciplinary team working is crucial to the person receiving the correct care in the correct place in the correct environment.
Victoria
on what bring joy to the role
Overview of current role
My role is to ensure peoples wellbeing in a holistic way which includes ensuring people attend their medical checks, making sure appointments are attended and up to date and being an advocate for them at all times.
I'm responsible for the staff risk assessments and wellbeing updates, and I'm a mental health first aider. Another part of my role required me to run workshops on stress, menopause and clinical supervision so that the staff are well supported. It's a very varied role and one that I love.
Qualifications and education
Training, knowledge and skills
- You need to be adaptable and open minded as well as non judgemental.
- Knowing your community and what services they offer is very helpful because signposting is very important.
- Knowledge regarding disease processes and early detection is key, so we can implement change such as diet and lifestyle and give education to empower the individuals to understand and make a positive change to their lives or I can educate the carers when needed.
- Understanding the mental capacity act is essential and also valuable in my current role, so we can advocate for people if needed and get tools to support in decision processes etc.
- An appetite to learn and develop.
- I have specialised in palliative care after completing my nurse training.
- I have an interest in mental health, so I completed the mental health first aider course in 2022.
- There are many mandatory courses that I undertake yearly such as infection control, fire, health and safety and ones that are specific to my role such as autism training, conflict resolution and medication management etc.
- I love learning and I am always looking for new courses that will enhance my knowledge and then enhance my role.
How did I get here
I started my career as a ward staff nurse and then community staff nurse, district nurse, community matron, care home matron and discharged support community matron moved to social care in this current role.
Could see lots of gaps when people come out of acute setting and navigating the social care setting is complex. I wanted to work in a role that supported that transition. Worked with many social care nurses in my career and wanted to have the opportunity to influence outcomes and experience of people.
Something extra about me
I was never really into exercise and now I run at least 5K every day to support my health and wellbeing