Mui Chan - Worker return to work achievement award - Towergrange & Bellview Residential Aged

Towergrange & Bellview is a 110 high care bed, aged care facility.

Describe your job prior to your injury.

I was working as reception and administration staff. My role involves attending phone calls, collecting monthly payments made by residents in the form of cash or cheque, support nursing staff in filling out paperwork associated with admittance and discharge of residents, prepare and update resident and emergency contact list and prepare nursing roster.

How were you injured and what was your injury?

Increased workload and lack of resources, i.e. lack of additional staff support, over a period of time caused stress and anxiety. This resulted in lodgment of claim when my condition worsened upon returning from holiday.
I attended a local General Practitioner (GP), who examined me and confirmed that my rise in blood pressure is due to my work related activity. Subsequently I lodged my claim for compensation

Describe the job you do now (including employer if different).

I have successfully returned to my pre injury role with pre injury employer, and am currently performing all, except preparing nursing roster, duties.

What were the hardest and best things about returning to work?

The hardest thing was overcoming fear, about how I would cope, how I will be supported at workplace and how I will be seen by other people at my workplace.
Best things include my psychologist, who was very supportive and desensitized me by encouraging to return to work on a graduated basis; the OR Consultant (Tess from CAC) who attended my first day of return to work and met with employer and clarified my duties and progression in hours; and my employer who recognised my good work ethics and supported me when I returned on graduated hours.

What do you think helped you most to return to work and get your life back?

My psychologist helped me by shifting my focus on to what is important for me and my life and this was reinforced by the support provided by Tess.

The strategies used by my psychologist to help me overcome my fears were very helpful, i.e. she recommended that I visit the nursing home after hours, which limited my exposure to any of my fears. I was also taught some exercises to help me to relax and to stay calm.

Employer was supportive and happy to assist me, as soon as they recognised my hardworking nature and positive work ethics.

What advice would you give other injured workers?

The most important advice I would give to other injured workers is that they have to take the responsibility for their own situation and condition. This should be followed by taking steps to overcome barriers.

I encourage people to do the right thing and it will be rewarded accordingly.

*Disclaimer:
The publishing of entries on the WorkSafe Awards website and or/the granting of an award does not constitute any endorsement by WorkSafe Victoria of a product, method or service, or the occupational health and safety performance of the workplace. Monthly Champions must undergo expert review to progress through to the stringent validation and judging process and can only progress to the next stage of entry once WorkSafe are satisfied that the entry/entrant has met the relevant award category criteria and terms and condition of entry.

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