Vikki Howlieson

My role included facilitating people in their withdrawal period from their addiction to illicit drugs and alcohol. I assisted in implementing prevention strategies including educating people in making better lifestyle choices and to support people in making their recovery easier through medications, activities, counselling etc. I would help to skillfully manage difficult and challenging patient situations by using therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques.

I participated in working FIFO contracts around Australia in which I would fill in vacancies where hospitals and wards were short staffed.

Collectively my role involved collaborating and communicating effectively with other medical professionals, patients and their families/friends, administering medications, managing unwell patients, providing patient centred care, administrative duties and keeping medical records up to date.

I originally started working for LTHT Staff Bank as a Healthcare Assistant whilst I was a University student. Once qualified, and with the relevant experience, I progressed onto working Registered Nurse Agency shifts.

As my first post qualified Registered Nurse post I worked in aged care by providing holistic nursing care that was compassionate and addressed the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of patients and those around them.

I assisted the residents with their personal hygiene needs, provided assistance with eating and drinking as well as mobilising the residents using appropriate equipment and techniques in adherence with moving and handling policy.

My every day duties included: till work, cash handling, customer liaison and sales advising.