We sat down with Victoria Kelly and asked her about her experiences working with Provider Assist – from the highs to the lows and everywhere in between. Read on to find out what she has to say.
How long have you been in your current job?
Nearly 5 years with Provider Assist. 12 months as COO and prior to that 4 years as CFO.
How did you find yourself working in aged care?
I always wanted to make an impact on the industry. My Nan spent 9 years in care, but I knew that I wasn’t cut out to be a nurse.
When I found Provider Assist I instantly felt at home. I could use my skillset to make the difference I wanted to make, but on a larger scale than I’d ever imagined.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love business! I love that by transforming Provider Assist into a remarkable business we can help aged care organisations do the same. Although I don’t have a direct impact on the residents, I love that the work I do still translates into a better life for residents in care.
What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?
A large part of my job is to build and provide an environment where the team can perform at their best and empower them to make the difference they came here to make. I love hearing the stories from our specialists about the impact we have and the difference we make at the resident level.
I know I’ve done a good job when our team say that they love what they do, as without us they couldn’t have the impact they are having.
What about the most challenging?
Getting the message out to the industry that there is a better way, that you don’t need to focus on cutting costs, that you can increase your revenue and care.
Can you tell us about a time when you have been extra proud of your or Provider Assist’s work?
I’m always proud of the work we do. We have a great team and organisation altering services!
What’s your advice to someone who’s considering a career in aged care?
Do it! Sometimes the industry gets a bad rap. It’s a lot of hard work but it’s worth it. There aren’t many careers where you can finish each day and know that you changed someone’s life that day.
What do you think the industry will look like 10-20 years from now?
I hope that it is an industry of choice for the best executives, nurses and other professionals and that every single resident in care receives the care, dignity and respect they deserve.
Given that some time in care is inevitable for most of us, I would like to think that it becomes a choice that families can embrace and not fear.
