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Interim position helped groom manager for new job
Experience at two S&R homes provided valuable tools for Charlene VanBilsen
6/17/2013
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Deron Hamel
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Charlene VanBilsen
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For Charlene VanBilsen, starting her position as Afton Park Place life enrichment manager in February was like coming home — she already knew many of the residents and staff members.
But having spent time working at another Steeves & Rozema long-term care home in Sarnia — Trillium Villa — helped provide her with the professional skills she’s using in her new position.
In January 2012, VanBilsen took an interim position as life enrichment manager at Trillium Villa to cover a maternity leave. Prior to this, VanBilsen was as life enrichment worker at Afton Park Place. During her time at Trillium Villa she learned the ropes and got a taste of what it’s like to manage a programs department.
Her interim position ended in January and a few weeks later she took the reins as life enrichment manager at Afton Park Place. The home’s former life enrichment manager, Vicki Di Giovanni, is now teaching at Lambton College.
VanBilsen says working at Trillium Villa not only gave her first-hand insight into what it’s like to be a life enrichment manager, it also provided her with ideas she could bring to her new role at Afton Park Place.
“There’s no point in re-inventing the wheel, and we might as well use our sister home as a way to improve things here,” she says.
VanBilsen says a key strength she brings to the table is her creativity and ability to think outside the box. Recently, she has used this strength to forge a closer collaboration between her department and the dietary department.
Recently, the two departments hosted Little Italy Day at the home, and they’re planning to collaborate to make the home’s upcoming summer barbecue different by hosting a car show.
“The first year here is going to be new, and so I want to look at each special occasion and see if we can put a twist on things to make them even more spectacular,” she says.
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If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.
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