Starting with Juniper as a carer and now a registered nurse, Alex Raganut has been a friendly and welcoming face at Sarah Hardey Residential Aged Care Home in Kelmscott for close to five years.
Originally from the Philippines, Alex moved to Australia with her parents and brother in 2013.
“I think Australia is more disciplined and structured – I feel secure in Australia, it’s a nice country. If you’re hardworking, you will succeed in Australia,” Alex said.
While studying nursing, Alex worked as a carer at Juniper Sarah Hardey for almost three years and on completing her degree, successfully applied for a Registered Nurse role at the Kelmscott home.
Working alongside a multi-disciplinary team, Alex helps care for about 30 residents who she holds in high regard.
“It’s lovely to work here, I consider everyone extended family – one resident always says, I’ll never let a day go by without making someone smile,” she said.
Ongoing training and in-house toolbox sessions to develop and expand her skills into areas such as dementia care and skin care for residents have proved a big incentive for Alex to continue her career with Juniper. Alex said she enjoyed the variety that her role offered, and no two days were the same.
“There’s a lot of senior knowledge sharing – I learn something new every day,” she said.
Away from work, Alex has swapped playing basketball competitively for indoor volleyball and likes her travel, visits to the gym as well as spending time with family on weekends.
When asked what made the difference to her about working with Juniper, Alex said it was all about the “support on the floor” and knowing that you had that support.
“Working with colleagues, whether it’s kitchen staff, carers, cleaners, we all have good relationships and feel comfortable to tell each other if we need anything,” she said.