Stronger together
Faces may have changed, and people have come and gone but for Kalai Maruthachalam what hasn’t changed is the positive team culture at ACH Group.
Kalai began at ACH Group eight years ago in a part-time casual administrator and credits the support and backing of her teams over the years for her career progression.
Now a Locum Care Manager, Kalai said she will never forget the support she has had during her career and looks to pay that kindness forward every chance she gets.
“We have such a good work culture here,” she said.
“Every day and through every step of my career this team has always had my back and always been happy to help.
“I’ve learned so much from my team and I’m really mindful of showing that same level of support that I got to people who are just getting started in their careers.”
Kalai said when she started with ACH Group, she quickly realised she wanted her career trajectory to head towards being a Care Manager.
“I was open and honest with my managers about where I wanted my career to go and they’ve been supportive at every step of the way,” she said.
“Whether it being additional training or being encouraged to apply when opportunities, every step of my journey I’ve felt supported.
“That is a pretty rare and special thing.”
I started as a part-time, casual administrator at ACH Group. In July 2024 I will be completing my eighth year with ACH Group. Every team I have worked with across ACH Group has made me feel welcomed and helped me to develop my skills.
I am working as a Care Planner with the Home Care Team; I am responsible for onboarding new customers and care planning to ensure customers care needs and goals are met, supporting them to live independently in the community with our services
Through my journey with ACH Group, I have received unbelievable support from all levels of management with career guidance and training. Whenever an opportunity opened that matched my skill set my managers and colleagues encouraged me to take the next step in my career.
Learning more everyday about how I can best support customers really inspires me. I’ve had opportunity to grow, supportive and genuine teams and colleagues all underpinned by an amazing work culture here at ACH Group.
So many people still think that aged care services are only for people who can no longer live independently and who need around the clock care.
This is so far from true. Working with older South Australians every day – they’ve given me so much in terms of their kindness, interest in my life and patience.
Working in aged care requires loving what you do. If you love the job, the rewards you get from supporting someone to achieve their goals is just so rewarding.
I would like to get formal health qualifications and continue my career with ACH Group.
Positive work culture, challenging and self–satisfaction.
With ACH Group, you make a real difference to older people’s lives – and your own.
ACH Group has more than 200 unique roles across care, nursing, allied health, administration, maintenance, corporate and hospitality teams.
Learn about career development at ACH Group as staff share their career stories, showcasing how their experiences lead to fulfilling careers dedicated to supporting people to live good lives.
Join ACH Group and support older people to live good lives – while making your mark on the people within.
