Takunda Jirrie – Senior Healthcare Assistant
“Easily my favourite part about my job is interacting with residents and their relatives. I am fascinated by the wonderful lives they have led.”
My name is Takunda and I have been a Senior Healthcare Assistant at Windsor Court for roughly 1 and a half years. However, it feels like a millennium because of the bond that we have developed as a team.
Politics, policies and the economy determine what the youth can engage in. Before working in the care industry I was an entrepreneur doing gold mining. Not the one you see in books of helmets, gum boots and heavy machinery.
I always felt I would do very well in the care industry. In my family we have a doctor and a nurse. During family gatherings these two always talked about the successes and tragedies of human life. This intrigued me quite a lot. Instead of constantly grinding and spending time in precarious situations, I thought it would be better to deal with human life. I stayed with the doctor for a while and gained a bit of basic knowledge.
Daily my role at Windsor Court has me working with stakeholders from diverse entities, it is both challenging and exciting to be part of a team that strives to make each, and every service user receive the best care. I administer medication to the residents. I interact with other health care professionals; this may involve advocating for our residents so that they receive the best care. I also have to make decisions when it comes to the residents’ care, luckily, it’s something I do not have to do alone. It is a team effort. The stakeholders from diverse backgrounds include the client family, colleagues, District nurses, Doctors, chiropodists, the list is endless.
Easily my favourite part about my job is interacting with residents and their relatives. I am fascinated by the wonderful lives they have led. I have the pleasure of being their friend and carer and I get to hear a lifetime worth of memories and lessons. Most residents have led a rich life full of wonderful moments. We spend ¾ of our lives at work. I decided to enjoy my work. Making jokes with service users and the camaraderie with colleagues makes the day shorter.
The teamwork at the home is fantastic, I work with wonderful people. Their desire to share knowledge and experience in a judgement free zone. The culturally diverse team that I am a part of enriches my knowledge of other people’s way of life. I have had the pleasure of having in-depth discussions with some of my team just discussing how we differ and how we are similar. I am surrounded by hardworking people who are great to be around, and we get to share some giggles and camaraderie as we work.
I have so many wonderful memories from my time at Windsor Court, but the one that stands out I would say was the Christmas staff party. Its always surprising to meet your fellow team members dressed in something that is not blue or maroon. Everyone looked so wonderful, and it was great interacting with them outside of the workplace.
Beritaz is a company that gives support in many ways. I have benefitted from their continuous desire to invest in me and my education as well as career growth. The company is what it stands for, Trusting, caring and Choices; it’s a motto that it embodies. I am glad to realise that being a healthcare assistant is the first step towards a vast world of the health sector. There is no limit to what one can achieve if you have the interest and the physical and mental energy required to achieve your goals.
The training we are provided is great, I feel like I learn a lot from the Trainers that come in. They interact and have discussions with us about what we are learning. Every year we get to renew the training ensuring we are kept up to date with all the ways we can properly care for our residents. Career progression is very much a part of Beritaz, however one has to be willing to give a 100% when they walk through the doors, work joyfully and to the best of your abilities.