Promotion an OMNI advantage, says LEC
Monday November 5, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
The constant flow of educational opportunities is one of the best selling points OMNI has for attracting employment candidates, says Frost Manor’s life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC).

Vi O’Leary has taken many of the educational programs OMNI offers its staff members, including the leadership development program and courses in restorative care.

“I think they’re wonderful,” O’Leary says of the programs. “With OMNI, you’re always learning something, and that’s what makes your life exciting.”

After taking training as a registered practical nurse (RPN) in her native Newfoundland and Labrador, O’Leary took positions at long-term care homes in Toronto before settling in Lindsay.

While in Lindsay she worked at two long-term care homes before coming to Frost Manor when it opened in 1982.

While filling in for a staff member from the home’s life enrichment department who was on leave, O’Leary decided to go back to school to take a course in activity planning.

After finishing the course at Peterborough’s Sir Sandford Fleming College, O’Leary became Frost Manor’s LEC in 2000.

Looking back on her career, O’Leary says long-term care has changed a lot over the years.

“Long-term care homes, years ago, were almost like institutions, but now they’re like home away from home,” she says.

O’Leary notes that there’s a lot of competition in the long-term care sector and because of this competition, providers have to be on the cutting edge if they want to attract employment.

OMNI is an example of a long-term care provider who is setting such trends, she says, adding the fact OMNI promotes from within is a good selling point.

“You have to be a good (provider), and OMNI is behind you 100 per cent to educate you (and) to train you,” she says. “The sky is the limit. I think we’re very fortunate.”

In addition to the variety of educational courses and training seminars OMNI offers its team, staff members have also attended presentations from motivational speakers.

In particular, seminars from Canadian motivational speaker Robin Sharma have “made a difference in a lot of people’s lives,” says O’Leary, adding Sharma sends frequent motivational e-mails to OMNI staff members.