Staff stories and quotes
"I think there are many great aspects to working in ISCHS.
- Human rights and political aspects
- Its advocacy role and lobbying for policy change
- Working with high needs and wonderfully appreciative clients
- Multidisciplinary teams and sites
- A long established and respected service
- A challenging environment and one that likes to be challenged
- Salary packaging"
"My story with ISCHS begins more than 20 years ago. I started at the former SouthPort Community Health Centre in 1986, when it was only 3 months old and housed in a beautiful old terrace in South Melbourne.
I have watched the Health Service grow from a staff of 8 to a staff of 240 plus (thanks in large part to the amalgamation with St Kilda and Prahran Community Health Centres in 1993), and I have watched it change dynamically as it grew to provide its current exciting and cutting edge services.
My roles with the Health Service have also changed. I started as a receptionist and have had a variety of different positions since then, including Finance and Payroll Officer, SWITCH coordinator, and acting manager, all of which have provided much variety and challenge. I am currently one of the admin coordinators, a role which I enjoy because of the close teamwork with the admin staff and the contact with clients."
"I came to Inner South as a 4th year occupational therapy student. My placement was focused within the Aged Health and Rehabilitation Program and I was made to feel a part of the team immediately.
The culture across Inner South’s four sites consistently provided an exceptional opportunity for learning because of continuous and challenging learning environments and an unconditional approach of team members to supervise, support and encourage skill development."
"Working at ISCHS has allowed me to step outside the highly medicalised environment of the hospital and to work with people in their community. On a day to day basis, I visit clients from a wide range of cultural and economic backgrounds. This has allowed me to gain insights into the challenges they face - insights that I could never have gained through working solely in a clinical environment.
Furthermore at ISCHS, I have been able to interact with clients in a variety of informal settings, which has allowed our relationships to develop in a more casual atmosphere. This interaction happened on day trips, at barbeques, cooking groups and gardening groups. Through developing this relationship of trust, I have gained great insight into the real issues for people. This has allowed me to develop my skills in working with clients in a way that is practical and effective for them.
I also enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and the culture which allows me to come up with and implement creative strategies to address client issues. What's more the staff at ISCHS are a wealth of knowledge and I found my colleagues also became my mentors and friends."
"At first I was simply excited to find, and then get, just the kind of job I was looking for. Then even before I started, people I knew were telling me what a great organisation ISCHS is and how they really look after their staff. I have found that to be true on many levels. I've been made to feel extremely welcome and to have support and opportunities to develop personally and professionally. I think as an organisation, ISCHS is in itself, a healthy and inclusive community."
"I began working at Inner South Community Health Centre in September of 2006 as a member of the Prahran Administration team. In this short time I’ve been warmly welcomed into the organisation. To orient me with the set up of the organisation I've been able to attend an organisation wide meeting, Prahran centre meeting, and induction training. These helped me gain a wide view of the many programs that ISCHS has.
There is an awful lot to learn in admin and my co-workers have been extremely helpful and patient while I learn the procedures and guidelines. I really enjoy working at ISCHS and am happy for receiving the opportunity to work here. "