Jodie Keller, an AHA from Southern NSW Health, was recently awarded the 2024 Excellence in Allied Health Award for Allied Health Assistance. Congratulations Jodie!

The awards acknowledge the passion, dedication and contributions that allied health professionals and their support staff provide in NSW. The awards also demonstrate NSW Health's commitment, respect and value to the critical contribution that allied health has in delivering patient-centred care. You can learn more about the Awards and the other finalists from across the state here.

We reached out Jodie to learn about her award and her AHA role.

Tell us a bit about your story – your professional journey, your learnings or experiences. 

I saw an AHA course online and enrolled. I have been working with the OT department for the last four years, and I have completed many courses to improve my skills during this time. I have also completed a trial as a social work AHA.

Where do you work?

Goulburn Base Hospital in the Occupational Therapy department.

Which clients do you work with?

Primarily inpatients, community and palliative care.

What first attracted you to becoming allied health assistant? 

I really just needed a change. I worked in retail for over 20 years, saw an AHA course online and always had an interest in health. I completed my course online while working full time with two kids, so it suited me well.

What does your typical workday look like?

I attend rapid rounds each morning on surgical and medical wards, then report to the OTs any concerns; I compete any therapy as directed by the OT. I will assist with gathering patient information and attend home visits as required. I also do equipment for inpatients and community, and can also drop off and set up the equipment if needed, as well as assist with the equipment database to track equipment that we’ve loaned out to patients.

Can you tell us about opportunities that you’ve had to really make a difference to patient or community outcomes—what’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I think helping stroke patients is the most rewarding. Doing activities and programs with patients, watching the small gains turn into big gains and seeing the patient get excited when they can start to do things for themselves again.

What advice do you have for others providing care in a similar role/going through a similar experience/stepping into the profession?

It is a rewarding profession and I would encourage anyone interested in this pathway to do it. You get a great sense of achievement when you help a client achieve their goals.