At Catholic Healthcare we are shining a 'light' on our people and the exceptional work they are all doing across our services. We share how team members are innovating, engaging and helping to make Catholic Healthcare a great place to work.
This week, meet Djulijana Alachkoska, Registered Nurse for the Home & Community Services team based at Waterloo in south east Sydney.
Djulijana is often described as ‘Miss Congeniality’ by her clients and colleagues.
“She is an excellent nurse and is very popular with our clients,” says Sister Ruth, Clinical Coordinator for Home & Community Services. “She is always going further in what she is asked to do in her daily care for our clients and this is always done with a smile!”
Djulijana’s day-to-day duties include caring for a wide variety of clients with very different health needs. This involves monitoring clients’ needs, providing clinical support to the Care Advisors and evaluating the effectiveness of care plans.
“I believe, as any other nurse, in order to achieve optimal health outcomes for our clients we need to build rapport and establish trust by caring for them in a professional and competent manner,” says Djulijana.
“Treating every client as a unique individual and striving to preserve their dignity is so important. We also need to have open, honest conversations with them regarding their health concerns and any possible outcomes.”
Djulijana started her career in the aged care sector as a Community Worker which helped build her understanding of Home Care clients and the support they need. She has found that this experience as a Community Worker has been invaluable.
Djulijana has kept on assisting her clients to the best of her ability during the COVID-19 lockdown period, with her motivation unchanged.
“It has been very important during this challenging time to ensure my clients have access to, and can receive, clinical care in the comfort of their own homes. Clients are hesitant to leave their homes for fear of becoming infected. It’s been important to provide the necessary social support and comfort to ease their anxieties. I’ve also been able to share evidence-based information about COVID-19 so that they are well-informed.”