Steve began working at Southland Hospital aged 20, when his mother who was a nurse encouraged him to apply for a job as an Orderly.
These days his official title is Operations Supervisor ISS Facilities Services, meaning he is the ‘go to’ person for the company, which has 17 orderlies and a total of 45 staff at Southland Hospital.
So what makes a good Orderly? “You have to have a positive attitude, friendly manner, be good with patients, and someone who can walk a few miles,” he says.
A career highlight was moving from the old to new hospital, when he pushed the first patient through the tunnel connecting the two. He also remembers how the team pulled together after the Foveaux Strait plane crash. “The Orderlies heard what happened and started turning up at work, just wanting to help people.” It has been the same with COVID-19 – and while proud of all his colleagues, he singles out the cleaners for special mention.
Asked what has been the best part of his job over the past 25 years, Steve doesn’t hesitate: “the staff and patients are the reason I come to work”.
Check out these other Better Health South Stories:
Better Health South - October Update
Better primary care access for Maori aim of expanded Health Care Home programme
Voting during your hospital stay
Harti Hauora provides more support for Maori community in Southland
Mental Health Awareness Week celebrated across the region
Update on SDHB Disability Strategy
