Nicole Ellery has always known she wanted to work with people and make a difference.
Beginning her career as a Patient Services Assistant, she would often see Allied Health teams working with their patients on exercise programs and skill building activities in kitchens and bathrooms throughout the hospital.
By chance, one day she was asked to help out with an exercise program after an Allied Health Assistant (AHA) had gone home sick, and the rest is history.
“That was the first time I had ever heard of an AHA, the exercise group was so much fun, and it felt very rewarding,” Nicole said.
“From that moment I knew where I wanted my career to head.”
Nicole went home that evening and applied for the first role she saw, an AHA role working in the Occupational Therapy at Monash Health’s Kingston Centre – and so her career begun.
Now, many years into her career, Nicole is a Grade 3 Physiotherapy AHA at Dandenong Hospital and says she is very happy to have “somewhat stumbled into the role”.
Nicole’s days at work begin with working out her caseload, which includes a mix of individual therapy sessions and double therapy treatments with the Physiotherapists.
“We plan a loosely structured timetable and from there we hit the ground running,” she said
“With lots of patients benefiting from AHA therapy we are always busy.”
Individual therapy includes completing exercise programs, mobility practice, chest physiotherapy tasks, patient education and gait aid provision.
Double therapy treatments are to assist the Physiotherapists with patients who need support from two people.
“No day is the same and I never feel bored or that tasks are repetitive,” Nicole said.
“The role varies so much that there is always something new to learn, a new skill you can practice and new people to meet and interact with.”
Nicole said she feels lucky to have always worked with knowledgeable and supportive colleagues, who have helped her to reach many of her career goals over the years.
“Everyone is friendly and approachable,” she said.
“We often have onsite activities to participate in and offsite social events we can attend,
“I have made many lifelong friendships through my role as an AHA.”
Nicole said that regardless of where people are at in their career, they shouldn’t be afraid to “jump in the deep end, and give it a go.”
“I always knew I wanted to work with people but wasn’t sure what type of carers were out there that didn’t require going to university, but still made a difference,”
“Being an AHA is rewarding, a great way to get into the healthcare industry, and the work options are endless.”
Nicole has worked across both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy in rehabilitation, acute care and outpatients.
As she works towards her goal of 20 years of service as an AHA, Nicole said that at the end of every session, she wants her patients to feel like they have been cared for and heard.
“I want to see them smile and experience the positive side of being a patient,” she said.
“Noone really wants to be an inpatient but if I can make it a better experience and advocate for them; that is my goal and what gives me workplace satisfaction.”
Interested in a career as an Allied Health Assistant at Monash Health? Learn more about the opportunities available and take a look at our current vacancies on our Allied Health Assistant Careers page.