An exciting day at Empower Healthcare today with the induction of our 2021 graduates.
The Empower Graduate Program
Through the Empower Healthcare graduate program our graduates will receive professional support, training and a structured plan to help them transition from a graduate into a promising clinician. Our graduates are primed to get the support they need to transition into life as a first-year clinician and extend the skills they worked hard to develop at university.
We have created a comprehensive 12 month program that will provide our graduates the tools and training to grow as a professional through:
structured learning
mentoring
peer support and
e-courses.
See our Graduate Success Map below for our yearly graduate program.
At Empower, we value our staff and make everyone feel welcomed, accepted, and appreciated. Inclusivity and belonging are a part of our core values at Empower and with our graduate program, you’ll get to train with the best.
Want to learn more?
Click here for a copy of our graduate program flyer
Alternatively call Lilian for a friendly chat on 0412 709 161
Sarah Tordeich’s collective strength in clinical experience along with power of compassion and nurturance is making her a much-loved Regional Manager. Find out what makes Sarah tick and why she chose to take a leap into management.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m half Kiwi/Croatian. I made the decision to move to Australia two years ago and nearly six weeks after I decided, I was here! If you know me well, you’ll realise this is very unlike me to be so drastic!
Time has absolutely flown by and I have a travel wish list that I want to tick-off within Australia. I really enjoy travelling and would love to return to Europe one day. I have a keen interest in running and hoping to complete my first full marathon this year! As expected, I love watching the kiwis play! I travel back and forth between Australia and NZ for quick trips to see fam and friends! I am social and love catching up with friends every other weekend, though I would consider myself a bit of a homebody too!
Why did you choose Empower?
Having spent the last 8 years, predominantly as a private practice clinician, I have been seeking a new challenge in my career that was an extension beyond practicing as a clinician. I wanted to be able to contribute to the bigger picture and be part of a company in a larger capacity; where I could utilise the skills and knowledge gained to help educate other fellow clinicians.
I never thought, but have learnt to realise, I wanted to be a leader. I stumbled across this job. The opportunity to become a Site Leader stood out for me. As soon as I met Matthew and Adam, I instantly felt at ease and their belief in my ability to grow into the role was the turning point. I also really gravitated towards Empower being a relatively new company; wanting to be a part of a growing company and contributing to its success, sealed the deal. The decision was further supported knowing the values and principles that Empower are founded upon were very much in line with my own.
What do you love most about your job?
I enjoy the variety of work in my role. I enjoy mentoring my team, from new clinicians right through to senior clinicians. As a leader, I collaborate and liaise with a range of Empower staff and clients with the primary focus on service solutions and continuity. Best of all, I continue to use my clinical skills.
I have always felt that my biggest learnings weren’t necessarily at uni, but the knowledge I have gained both clinically and non-clinically when thrown into the big wide world. Having the right people in my corner has helped me to grow as a clinician and as a person. I love most that in my role; I can mirror my experience and provide the same level of support.
So, if you love autonomy and have a desire to give back, then becoming a Site Leader may be a career path worth exploring.
The opportunity to learn from clients is endless. The room for career progression and ongoing job satisfaction within Empower is evident. All these things combined are what I love most about this role.
What has been your most memorable moment?
The most rewarding moment I have had whilst working at Empower was when a consumer I was routinely seeing each morning, wished me Merry Christmas and a safe holiday at home in NZ and commented that her mornings were made better with me visiting each day and loved her regular chats whilst I treated her.
Thinking back on it later, it really made me smile knowing yet again, that whilst our role as clinicians is to assist with pain, function etc. we can also play a huge role in improving ones quality of life, purely through showing a genuine interest in them as people.
Memorable moments to me also include being trusted upon and knowing I am viewed as approachable by staff. Appreciating that all humans including my colleagues have busy lives, being empathetic and aware of this and showing support is hugely important. I work on an ‘open door’ policy and that they can come to me anytime with any question.
In what ways has Empower supported your growth personally & professionally?
Having a team of staff that believe in my capabilities and peer support from the other Regional Managers has enabled me to transition smoothly into the role.
They appreciate my learning and behavioural style and have been great at giving me feedback which has helped me learn a lot about my strengths, areas of weakness and what I would like to achieve in 2020.
I value the autonomy, flexibility and trust to become the regional manager I want to be.
In your new role, what will you be looking to achieve in 2020?
Working alongside my fellow Regional Managers and management team, we are streamlining processes to accommodate our recent rapid growth and future scalability.
Another focus will be on the new graduates and new staff; to learn about them, their work and personal goals, to help develop them clinically and to ensure they are satisfied and happy at work.
Being new to the role of Regional Manager, I am still learning the ropes, however as I become more adept I aim to have a significant role in contributing ideas, being a part of new processes and potential growth opportunities and establishing great working relationships within my region and the wider team.
What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?
Appreciate all the hours you put in at uni learning, the people who helped make it happen, and immersing yourself in as many PD opportunities, courses and new graduate programs available to you, to really help develop your skills.
I truly believe my biggest learning developed over years of applying my clinical skills in a variety …
I was at the APA Job Show and, to be honest, was drawn to the guys at Empower for the Keep Cup and show bag they had on offer! I ended up having a long chat with Matthew, the COO and shared a joke or two with him over the course of the night.
I left the APA Job Show really impressed with the supportive and family orientated feel I got from Empower. I hadn’t considered aged care to this point, but something told me that this opportunity could be too good to pass on.
What do you love most about your job?
There’s not one thing that I could isolate. My clients are so grateful for even the smallest of things I do or recommend. I have picked up some awesome dad jokes and been given delicious family recipes from the grandmas – I love building a genuine connection with my clients.
From a career point of view, I get a heap of support from my managers. There’s a lot of room to grow in the company, and since starting in February I’ve also taken on clients in home care, which has exposed me to a bigger variety of conditions.
What has been your most memorable moment?
After working at a different facility for a week or two, I returned to one where I’ve spent the majority of this year – I walked in to see one of my clients, a cute little Italian ‘nonna’, and when she saw me, she praised Jesus for bringing me back to see her. I always have a good laugh with my clients – it brings a lot of joy to their days – and I know I help them immensely from a Physio point of view as well.
Another that comes to mind was a patient who had not been able to use their arm or care for themselves after a nasty fall prior to us meeting. Instead of continuing the current treatment course, I suggested a different approach that has been successful enough for him to take back some independence where he can now dress himself and comb his hair.
In what ways has Empower supported your growth personally & professionally?
To put it simply, it’s the management team’s support of both my natural abilities and the skills I’m learning on the job.
There are multiple aspects to how Empower and my managers helped me to become the Physio I am today. There is a whole matrix of supports to help. One key element is the grad program, which is a structured way to keep me learning. It is both theoretical and practical with an array of experienced practitioners to walk you through different topics. Secondly, from the very get-go you get allocated an experienced mentor in which you can ask questions and observe. No matter how busy my mentor was, they always made sure to address my concerns – this was a pleasant change coming from the busy hospitals I’d experienced during Uni placements.
With their support, I have been fortunate enough to progress this year to the role of Site Leader where I oversee the Empower team’s allied health services at the facility I’m based out of, as well as working with clients personally.
How do your supervisors help you learn on-the-job?
Empower’s culture stands out to me – it feels like a family run business. This is highlighted in their staff. My supervisors were quick to pick up on my learning style – I was eager to get in there and have a go, but always wanted to debrief. I’m a talker, and I needed a sounding board which my supervisors provided me with.
During these discussions, I was asked questions, but importantly, I was asked what my recommendation and thoughts were as well – I wasn’t just being told what-was-what, I was treated as a colleague. There were observations, both ways. I observed them treating clients and they observed me treating clients – not with a marking paper in hand mind you! And so, this process continued; discussions, observation, treatments and ultimately professional growth.
Can you reveal important factors that help a graduate transition into a Site Leader?
On the surface, I feel like becoming the Site Leader was right-place-right-time. In reality, I’ve never been that lucky. I have a pretty big personality, and my sporting career has taken me far and wide where I had the opportunity to represent Australia. I guess when the word leadership is thrown around, I automatically think team captain – and that was me.
Qualities and positive character traits that I believe have led to my career advancement include; a strong work ethic, inquisitive, approachable, creative, enthusiastic, perceptive, compassionate, dependable and personable.
I work hard, I help others where I can, and I always make time for my team when they need me. I put my hand up to help out on weekends when needed (time and a-half is a bonus!). I was able to put my own spin on treatments and suggest new processes to help make our clinicians more efficient whilst working – something as simple as make referrals digital saves time walking around. I love talking, but I am also a good listener. Naturally, this combination goes hand-in-hand with building rapport and friendships with my Empower team, with staff at the location I’m working, and importantly with my clients.
What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?
Save your pennies and be kind to your mother – warned you about the dad Jokes.
On a more serious note, consider joining an organisation that offers a grad program; it’s a nice transition into your working life. It helps get your brain ticking again after finishing studying. The detail of the grad program is where it really helps, from creating goals (SMART goals), to identifying weakness and …
Choosing your first workplace to kick-start your career can be a little daunting and yet so exciting at the same time. An organisation that provides a graduate program can offer you rewarding opportunities and benefits.
Graduate programs can provide you with support, training and a structured plan to help you transition from a graduate into a promising clinician.
So, what sets one graduate program apart from another?
Here’s what you should be looking for when evaluating a graduate program:
1. Mentoring
In a graduate program, you should receive hands-on mentoring that you won’t find in most jobs. A mentor will individually guide and help you through your journey. You can’t find this priceless information in an employee handbook!
2. Exposure to work across varied caseloads
The organisation of choice should be able to offer you the chance to be exposed to diverse environments, clients and conditions so that you can develop well-rounded skills. Research each program carefully and confirm if that you will have the opportunity to thrive in a diverse range of treatment cases with work colleagues from different background experiences.
3. Flexible learning structure
Everyone has their own preferred learning style. Does the organisation take this into account and provide a graduate learning and development program that accommodates auditory, visual and or kinaesthetic approaches?
4. Informal career planning & evaluations
Informal career assessments are a way to help you gain a better understanding of who you are, what you would like to learn and what you would be good at. Through informal conversations and self-reflection worksheets, you can discover your true passions and what is standing in the way from reaching your goals. Make sure your graduate program of choice is genuinely interested in you, your aspirations and is prepared to implement individual activities for personal growth.
5. Clear career succession pathway
Does the graduate program impart a clear career progression advancement pathway? It’s important to know what career opportunities within the organisation are available beyond the graduate year. You want to assess an organisation in terms of its ability in; developing talented people, building a pipeline of future leaders and if you have a sense of control over your career.
Using the five criteria above will greatly help you short-list your preferred graduate programs for application. Have peace of mind that this process will ensure you choose an organisation that can help you become the very best you can be.
Empower’s Graduate Program
Our professional and comprehensive graduate program can set the foundations for a bright career!
Get the support you need to transition into life as a first-year clinician and extend the skills you worked hard to develop at university.
We have created a comprehensive 12 month program that provides you with the tools and training to grow as a professional through:
structured learning
mentoring
peer support and
e-courses.
See our Graduate Success Map below for our yearly graduate program.
At Empower, we value our staff and make everyone feel welcomed, accepted, and appreciated. Inclusivity and belonging are a part of our core values at Empower and with our graduate program, you’ll get to train with the best.
If you’re looking to get your physio career kicked off to a great start, make sure you apply with Empower.
Make sure you don’t miss out!
We have 10 graduate program positions available for 2020.
Applications close 10 December 2019.
Need more info?
Call Lilian our Recruitment Manager for a copy of our our Graduate Program flyer on 0412 709 161
