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Keep up with what's happening at E4.

By Edward Freeman 21 May, 2021
Well, it’s been a couple of weeks since our very own Sandra Adzic hit the five-year mark as E4. It’s given us a bit of time to think about the impact our first-ever employee has had on the business and it’s been quite a ride! E4 Directors Edward and Josh wanted to share some thoughts and memories from those last five years. From Nike to recruitment. It was 2016 when we had decided it was time to take the plunge and hire our first employee. We had only been going for four years at that point, we don’t mess about! With no real plan in place, we popped up an advert for a junior recruiter to join us at our little office in Stanmore. To us, it was an amazing opportunity to embark on an epic journey with two young lads looking to do big things. Looking back, I get why we didn’t have an abundance of eager recruitment consultant wannabes knocking down the door to join us. However, we were very lucky when a confident young lady came bouncing through the door for her first interview. Boasting a solid background working in her local Nike store, we knew this chatty individual was the one for us and so we offered the job pretty quickly!
23 Apr, 2021
Luke Thompson recently assisted a doctor to be placed in a locum role. His experiences with locum work have been incredibly valuable and insightful, and it's the discussions like this that help us to understand the industry at a more personal level. Working locum allows an individual to travel across Australia to incredibly unique locations, whilst still progressing their career. The experiences gained in locum positions are ones that cannot be replicated in a permanent or metro-based role. Here are the answers he gave. 1. Biggest challenge you've experienced as a locum? Locum biggest challenge - something that comes to mind is working with staff in a high turn-over environment. Staff sometimes have to work together in tense situations eg trauma in ED, yet may have not worked together for long or at that institution for long. Invariable misunderstandings, personality clashes etc arise and by the time they get sorted it's time for the staff to move-on to their next assignment. So it can be challenging dealing with a new team on a frequent basis, not something a permanent doctor necessarily has to dealt with. 2. Most attractive Locum you've done so far? I loved working in Mount Barker ED and GP - the team was great, people just accepted me and were grateful that I'd been able to come and help out. A nurse going on holidays even offered my wife and I her house to stay in which we gladly accepted. 3. Why do you locum and how does it benefit your life? Locuming allows me to spend 10 months of the year overseas in South Sudan where my wife and I have founded a children's home called New Jerusalem Family Home. I don't think there's any other job that allows you the flexibility that locuming does. It's given us the chance to try something totally different which has been an amazing adventure. 4. What experiences have you had as a Locum that you wouldn't necessarily have experienced otherwise? As a locum I intentionally vary the type of work I do and in the past 10 years I've worked in dozens of places doing incredibly varied roles including Aboriginal health care, remote ED work, mine-site occupation medicine, private city GP, and many others. _____________ If you are interested in medical locum work and seeing what opportunities are currently available, reach Luke Thompson and the medical team with the following contact numbers and emails. Luke Thompson: luke@e4recruitment.com.au / 0402 233 901 Joe Kennedy: joe@e4recruitment.com.au / 0498 454 969 Daniel Harvey: danielh@e4recruitment.com.au / 0415 223 229 Sarah Curran: sarahc@e4recruitment.com.au / 0414 158 341
26 Feb, 2021
Earlier this month, Joe Kennedy sat down with one of his regular contacts in the medical field, located in Western Australia. Going into more depth about the experiences of doctors dealing with the effects of COVID-19 in Perth, Joe asked 6 simple questions that sparked tremendous insight into the current climate. For privacy reasons, the doctor’s name has not been used in this interview. QUESTION ONE To kick things off, how was 2020 for you and your colleagues? Hi Joe, 2020 was pretty unchanged for most of us here in Perth from the COVID front – we had, like everyone else, the initial concerns about the arrival of COVID on our shores. We had a flurry of preparation trying to sort out new policies, protocols and PPE training, had a few patients to look after in the hospital and in the intensive care unit, and then, luckily for us in Perth, by June, it all settled down apart from a few cases in quarantine and thankfully, none since then who have been sick enough to require ICU admission. I think I can safely say that my colleagues and staff in my unit have been very, very thankful that we’ve been spared the experiences of our colleagues, both internationally and nationally. We have pretty much been functioning looking after the “business as usual” cases almost all the way through 2020. The main bulk of cases in ICU here have been trauma, and despite an initial brief drop in case presentations during our very brief lock down, has been essentially running hot with high bed occupancy rates. QUESTION TWO What were the major differences in 2020 compared to pre-Covid days from a clinical standpoint? Interestingly enough, the pattern of presentations has changed somewhat – bearing in mind that we have an emphasis on trauma in my hospital, the pattern has fluctuated depending on the prevailing lockdown situation. There was a shift to domestic type cases – (falling of roof, fall from ladder, chainsaw injuries etc) as the lock down directed everyone’s energies towards home renovations (Hooray for Bunnings!) and much less high-speed trauma as travel was restricted between metropolitan and country areas. Subsequently, when those restrictions were lifted, there’s been a return to the usual high-speed vehicle trauma, and probably actually more cases, as WA’s strict border control has resulted in more travel within the state. Mental health related presentations have also increased, as people have struggled to cope with the uncertainty of our current conditions. WA has been effectively living in a state of quarantine, with little ability for travel interstate or internationally, and the impact on family networks and supports has led to fracture lines in mental health and coping strategies. Illicit substance related presentations have also been affected by COVID – availability was heavily impacted by the lack of international and internal logistics early in the Pandemic, and domestic manufacture of substances took over, with decreased drug purity leading to a variety of interesting side effects. I think the biggest impact for us in our practice has been the difficulty in not having non-WA based next of kin see their relatives here in ICU. Exemptions (as the name suggests) are restricted and take time to process, and in a unit where trauma presentations predominate, untimely and sudden death have led to many difficult situations where family’s interstate and overseas, have had to have the end-of-life process managed via phone and video links. This change in our practice has continued here in WA because of the prolonged state-wide border closure, and our role in end-of-life care has been more demanding and difficult. I recently had a patient with un-survivable head injuries who had no NOK in WA – speaking with his family, showing his distraught relatives images of him (they had wanted to see him, this was very distressing, as you can imagine with severe head and facial trauma), reassuring the family that whilst they couldn’t be here with him, he was still amongst people who cared. This was emotionally very difficult for all the staff involved, with everyone, from nursing staff, social worker, (myself) and the family all in tears by the end of that video call. This has been the new normal for us now for many months, but I also want to acknowledge that this is in no way as challenging as what our colleagues have faced on the COVID frontline in the hot zone. QUESTION THREE When Covid first reared its ugly head, there was a lot of uncertainty as to how serious the virus was. How do you think your Health district coped with making sure all the Healthcare and Medical workers were protected in the right way? Hindsight is a powerful tool and weapon, and whatever criticisms we had (and we had many) of the initial process, we have been in WA at least, really fortunate to have not had our preparedness tested to stress-point. We certainly didn’t deplete our stocks of PPE or go onto the second and third stage of the pandemic plan, where cohorting, using third party ventilators etc ever became a serious consideration, and so it is very difficult to fairly assess where we would have wound up had we needed to do so.
By Edward Freeman 07 Jun, 2019
It was great to catch up with Sandra and here more about her first three years in recruitment!
By Edward Freeman 30 Jan, 2019
The need for aged care has continued to grow despite changes in the economy and is one of the biggest growth industries in Australia today. The aged care industry offers secure employment and variety combined with flexibility and opportunities for career advancement. Aged care employment offers a lot of variety in where you can work and what you do. Aged care services are provided in in residential aged care facilities, directly into people’s homes and in respite and palliative care facilities. Here’s why we think it’s a great career move... The laughs and entertainment You get involved in all the activities, festivities and soon become part of the family. Interested in arts and crafts, games and outdoor activities? Life as an Aged Carer is fun and entertaining. You get to experience the personal satisfaction of knowing that you are doing a job that genuinely makes a difference Getting up to go to work is much easier when you know that what you do has a positive impact on the community. You’ll meet new people all the time It gives you the opportunity to meet a wide variety of older people and make a tremendous difference to their quality of life. You’ll be surrounded by happy faces There is nothing more rewarding than walking into a room full of people smiling and knowing that you are part of the reason why! Whether you’re taking the elderly out shopping, getting their hair cut or just simply enjoying the sunshine out in the garden, aged care is full of smiles! Your personal sense of achievement will soar It’s a very challenging role but the rewards are huge. There can be a lot of miracles in aged care, whether it’s a stroke patient learning to talk again or a dementia patient remembering a loved one who has come to visit or, you see things that people thought were impossible. You can relive the history of your clients Residents are full of interesting stories and facts about themselves or a time they lived through. Unlike most people you come across in work, the elderly love putting time aside to share their experiences! Sometimes it is a tale of romance, sometimes war, but they are stories that can transport you to another time, which can feel very different to our own. There’s almost always a reason for a party Setting aside the love and kindness, care homes are full of cake! Birthdays, family visits, national holidays, the list goes on… Any excuse for a celebration brings lots of cake into care homes and it would be rude not to take part, right? You get to work anywhere in Australia Feeling adventurous? Gaining your qualification in aged care enables you to work ANYWHERE in Australia! The elderly are in need of care throughout the whole country which makes it easy to move around and pick up work!
By Edward Freeman 18 Dec, 2018
2018 marked the 7th year for E4 Recruitment and what a year it was! Still based in our Stanmore office we saw our team grow from six people to ten! Impressive growth but it did mean we had reached capacity in the current office and it was time to start thinking about a new home (more on that later)....
By Edward Freeman 13 Dec, 2018
What an amazing Christmas party we had this year! In previous years, the team at E4 had generally gone out for dinner to celebrate the year and it was always a lot of fun. It is always good to choose a nice Sydney restaurant, have some great food and let the drinks flow.... However, this year, we thought we would change things up a little bit and hire a boat (well a 55 foot Riviera sports yacht called 'Seduction' if you must know!). This was a four hour charter around Sydney harbour and was a great idea that new consultants Scott and Dan had recommended. Starting at 12.00pm we arrived at the dock armed with our huge selection of drinks and some very tasty food platters from Jean Louis Joseph catering. (check them out, they do some great food if you are having a party -http://www.jeanlouisjoseph.com.au/). It had been a nervous couple of days with rain falling in Sydney but would you believe the sun came out in full glory for our boat party! With plenty of excitement around the newly discovered 'pink gin' we also had a few bottles of champagne to celebrate in style! The esky on the boat was full and we were ready to go! Esky is stacked!
By Edward Freeman 07 Dec, 2018
One of the most challenging moments of your life may be the day that you find your parents can no longer care for themselves. Once that realization hits, you might find an expensive and emotionally-taxing experience in front of you. Fortunately, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce financial strain and to help guide your parents into the next phase of their lives seamlessly. Talk to Your Parents about Their Wishes It is important to make your parents active participants in their care planning. While it might feel awkward to broach the subject, and you might need to tread lightly around feelings of anger or denial, this is a necessary conversation. Start the discussion off by asking your parents if they have thought about their care and living arrangements for the future, and inquire about their confidence with their financial situation. When this conversation occurs before a crisis, you'll feel better prepared to deal with potential issues as they arise. Plan for Long-Term Costs As you make a financial plan for your parents' future, do so preparing for long-term costs. Assume that your parents will live long lives well past the average life expectancy. Then, research solutions that will best maximize their resources. For example, you might want to consider adaptive aids, structural improvements, and homecare services in their existing home where they can remain, if possible. Changes like adding a wheelchair ramp, relocating the master bedroom to the first floor, and adding handrails in the bathroom can better accommodate your parents as they age. Don't Quit Your Job If your parents need full-time care, you may be tempted to quit your job to take on these responsibilities. However, you should think carefully before you turn in your two-week notice. Gaining time with your parents and saving money on care costs might seem like attractive benefits, but you need to consider what you might be giving up. Think about how your life would change without your current income and whether your own retirement savings might be impacted. Plus, if you leave your job, what are the chances you will find work in the future? Will you lose benefits like health insurance, license insurance, or long-term care policies? These are all important considerations before you make the leap to quit working. Create a Schedule with Family Members As your parents age, they may need additional care and help at home. In some families, all these added responsibilities fall on one child, and caregiver burnout is often the consequence. Instead, if there are multiple family members willing and able to help, create a schedule of who will assist and when. Family members who are willing to help but don't live nearby may be able to contribute financially for care from an aged care centre. Find Ways to Cut Costs Caring for an aging loved one can be an expensive endeavor, so it is important to know where you can cut costs. Explore low-cost or free public benefits by contacting your county's human services department, and find out whether your parents might qualify for Medicare. You may also save a considerable amount of money by switching to an online pharmacy and buying your parents' medications in mass quantities. As your parents age and their care needs increase, you can expect many physical, emotional, and financial changes in all your lives.By following these tips, you can reduce the stress of caring for aging parents and focus more on enjoying the time you have left together.
By Edward Freeman 23 Nov, 2018
*** Give this a go for TEAM BUILDING! *** We implemented this 'game' in our office last week which is all about team building or more precisely 'psychological safety' in the workplace. After hearing that Google had spent MILLIONS of dollars researching what makes the BEST WORKING ENVIRONMENT, this is what they came up with. Having an environment where employees feel happy to express themselves and share information is key according to the research. So Jason Treu (Executive Coach based in the US) came up with 'Cards against mundanity' to improve 'psychological safety' in the workplace....and we gave it a go! This is a question & answer based activity where each employee answers a question about themselves. It certainly gets everyone out of their comfort zone and each person can decide how deeply they go with their answers. Questions include: - If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? - Are you closer to your mother or father? Why? - What is the one thing that makes you feel alive? Everyone at E4 was pretty nervous but overall it was a great activity to do and was awesome to see staff share stories about his or her life. Not for everyone but I would certainly encourage you to give it a go!! Here is a link if you want to download the game and give it a go with your team - https://jasontreu.com/cardsagainstmundanity/ *One tip, do it at the pub so that everyone has a bit of Dutch courage!
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