When Tej first arrived in Australia from Nepal, he brought with him more than just a suitcase, he carried a deep sense of compassion for caring for the elderly. Today, after fourteen years in the aged care industry and seven years with SummitCare, Tej is making a lasting impact at the Canley Vale home, where he now works as the Manager of Care and Wellbeing (MCW).
Tej’s journey into aged care wasn’t a straight path, but it was always something he wanted to do. “I started as an assistant in nursing,” he recalled. “I did a lot of travelling too. I studied in Brisbane, travelled to the Gold Coast, Canberra, and then finally settled in Sydney. That’s where I knew I wanted to stay.”
He first joined SummitCare in 2018 as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) at the Liverpool home. “At the time, I was looking for a job in aged care because I was completely compassionate about that,” Tej explained. “One of my friends recommended SummitCare to me. I hadn’t heard of it before, but I applied, and that’s where my journey began.”
From the early days at the Liverpool home, Tej steadily worked his way up. After completing his Bachelor of Nursing, he continued his journey with SummitCare, progressing through various roles and eventually becoming the Manager of Care and Wellbeing. “I’ve worked in all of these clinical capacities - from an Enrolled Nurse to now the Manager of Care and Wellbeing,” he said.
Tej’s role is as dynamic as it is vital. “Every morning, I come in and do my runs to see if there are any issues or support that the care or registered nurses need. I support them as needed. I also delegate tasks to my staff, run meetings, provide education, review residents who need extra attention, and follow up on audits,” he explained.
For Tej, the encouragement he’s received at SummitCare has been a major part of his professional growth. “There is always support if anyone wants to grow with the organisation - which I believe, I’m a brilliant example of this,” he said with a laugh. “I started as an Enrolled Nurse and slowly worked my way up. That wouldn’t be possible without the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). They’re always happy to support people who want to thrive and climb the ladder.”
SummitCare’s core values, Warmth, Worth, and Wellbeing - resonate deeply with Tej. “It aligns with my own values. What SummitCare offers to the elderly is just brilliant overall.”
Tej also brings a rich cultural perspective to his role. Raised in Nepal, he describes his homeland with pride and affection. “It’s a beautiful country. Mount Everest is there and the Buddha was born there. Most people are very polite and hardworking, especially when it comes to caring for the elderly. That’s the cultural background most Nepalese have. It’s just our nature.”
For Tej, caring for others isn’t just a job, it’s a calling deeply entrenched in who he is.
