A clear career path in aged care

Natasha Crimmins joined the aged care sector because she loves working with older people - but it is proving an amazing career choice too!

And the go-getter is finding that hard work and ambition are proving the key to a hugely successful career.

She’s now Uniting AgeWell’s Program Manager for the team up at Echuca and ten months into the role is managing staff and growing business like a pro! “It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’m finding it challenging and rewarding,” Natasha says.

And she’s hugely grateful to Uniting AgeWell senior management and Human Resources for believing in her and encouraging her to apply for the role. “I’m humbled and encouraged by their support. They are growing me – it makes me feel valued,” she says.

Natasha is also under no illusions that while aged care attracts those with empathy and passion, it also offers a clear career path for those willing to step up to the challenge.

Natasha was born in New Zealand, grew up in Melbourne and moved to Bendigo in 2012. She studied a Bachelor of Applied Science in Disability Nursing at RMIT, and worked in the disability sector at Kew Cottages for many years. Then followed a ten year stretch in case management at the Department of Human Services.

Natasha went back to RMIT to study a post graduate degree as a primary school teacher, and worked in relief teaching when her four kids were little.

Her career in aged care started in 2016 and she worked in Community Home Support before joining the Uniting AgeWell team in Bendigo as a care advisor.

Natasha quickly proved herself in the role. She was appointed acting Program Manager for Echuca and Bendigo. And once again she shone. Towards the end of last year she was given the permanent position of Program Manager for Echuca.

She’s moved to an old dairy farm in amongst the canola fields and gum trees about 30km outside Echuca. “It’s peaceful and I love it,” she says. “The tranquility is what I need in my life right now.”

Natasha says many people underestimate how transferrable skills are. “You bring into the job all the skills you’ve learned over the years. I always tell people to believe in themselves.”

And she applies this logic to the team. “I listen to them, I have their backs. We are colleagues as well as friends, and we bounce ideas off each other. I always tell them, ‘Don’t come to me with a problem unless you can help think of a solution.’ In that way I encourage them to think strategically and to grow too!”

And that’s what good managers do! Natasha is growing the team – just as senior management grew her!

Is a career in aged care for you?

Learn more about career opportunities with Uniting AgeWell