Purli Los

What course did you study at TAFE SA? When did you graduate? 

Certificate III in Aged Care, 2015

Why did you choose to study this course? 

A passion for helping people, as well there being good job opportunities and career advancement.
 
What job/industry are you employed in now?  

I work in Aged Care as a Personal Support Worker, and I am progressing into Nursing.

How did your training with TAFE SA help you to get where you are now?

My certificate III in Aged Care gave me the qualification and knowledge required to work as a personal care worker, and was the first step in my Nursing journey. 

Can you describe a typical workday? 

Start at 7am, help several residents to get up and get ready for the day.  This can include a range of activities including bathing, toileting, and dressing, depending on their level of independence. I then give the residents their breakfast, and start to help out across the ward.  I spend time with the residents and provide support with their personal goals and ambitions, learn their life stories and get to know and care for our country's most vulnerable citizens.  At lunchtime I then serve meals and clean up again, before helping residents with afternoon toileting and then engaging everybody with group games/activities. We finish the day by finalising our clinical notes/ documentation and then handing over the day's events to the incoming shift. 

Suppose a student was considering a career in your industry. What would you advise them to study? Are there any soft skills that would be beneficial for them to develop? Should they pursue any sort of work experience?  

Work experience is a must in this industry, as it is difficult to understand what your role is from theory and classrooms alone - person-centered care needs a person-centered approach to learning. 

Skills in conflict resolution and customer service would be beneficial to support you in this work.

What do you love most about your job? What kind of tasks do you enjoy doing the most?

Getting to know some truly remarkable people. 

The honour of seeing people peacefully out of this world, after they have touched your heart briefly in a job that is so much more than 'work'.

Which three pieces of advice would you give to a current TAFE SA student?

• Learn to separate your emotions while remaining connected and supportive.  And even if it feels challenging, don't give up! 
• Have coping strategies in place to look after yourself at the end of an exhausting day.  The residents have so much history and life experiences and they deserve the very best of us - there are so many rewarding aspects of helping our older and most vulnerable citizens.
• This job takes a special kind of character.  You will encounter a wide range of emotions, dynamics and behaviours which will bring new experiences and challenge you to think outside the square and learn your own unique way of responding. 
• Learn to accept death as a normal part of life, and that it is not always a bad thing.  Working in this industry, you will soon understand how wonderful death can be for many people when the time is right.