This week we get to know more about Titus Feliciano who is a part of the Learning and Development Team in Arcare Aged Care as a one of the Registered Nurse (RN) – Clinical Educators based in Victoria.

What Arcare residence do you work at?

I am based in Head Office in Victoria and look after multiple residences including the North West Region of Victoria: Sydenham, Hillside, Burnside, Maidstone, Waterview, Portarlington and Point Lonsdale. Our team is flexible and support each other by being available if needed in all of the Arcare Residences in Victoria.

How long have you been working at Arcare?

I have worked in Arcare since 2012 as a Personal Support Worker when I was a student nurse. Once I obtained my Registration in 2013 as an RN, I had the opportunity to complete an Aged Management Graduate Course. I have worked as a Clinical Care Coordinator in Arcare Maidstone in 2016, and I officially joined the Learning and Development Team in 2017 and have been enjoying working in this dynamic team since then.

What do you enjoy about your role and working in aged care?

I enjoy inspiring and contributing to the positive culture at Arcare. To be able to educate and support our team members to deliver high quality care to our residents is so fulfilling. I love travelling to all residences and meeting the various team members across Arcare Aged Care. Overall, I love the culture at Arcare as we have really friendly and welcoming team members.

I also love the flexibility of my current role as my Manager and the Learning and Development Lead are very positive and supportive with all of our team members. We have very unique personalities within our team and I love working as a Clinical Educator.

What is a memorable moment or story you recall working at your residence with either a resident or a team member?

I remember being able to support a resident that was having trouble settling in, and I got along really well with her and was able to support her through this time. She opened up to me about her life, her personal health, and shared the challenges that she had been going through transitioning into living in an aged care setting. She had been very thankful that I could spend time with her, to chat with her and understand her situation because of her circumstances. She really was a pleasant woman, but just needed that extra empathy and understanding, and I was able to assist with passing these insights to our clinical team at the time, so that they could support her. Since then, this resident’s outlook on life improved. It reinforced what I felt about making a positive difference in the lives of residents, even though it is just a representation of just one resident.

Another thing that is also worth mentioning is that on multiple occasions, we have received amazing responses from people such as visitors, ambulance officers or family members who walk into the front door of Arcare Residences and are surprised by the warm experience. We receive compliments on how good Arcare feels and looks, and that it doesn’t feel like an aged care home at all, but a great place to stay in.

What pearls of wisdom or words of encouragement do you live by?

That life is precious, and time is a gift from God. Each moment is worth cherishing whether good or bad, knowing all experiences shape who we are and who we’ll become. I’m a Christian and I always love reflecting in God’s words in the bible and my favourite life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path straight”.

What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?

I love Plants! I want to turn our house into an indoor jungle to bring nature inside our house. I also love adventures, adrenaline filled activities and travelling around the world. Currently I’ve visited about 14 countries, but due to COVID we have stopped travelling for a while, but we’ve been exploring the beauty and hidden gems of Victoria instead.