“When I was younger I was a patient with Meningitis, the hospital I stayed in had no lights, therefore, the nurse would always walk around with a torch to check on patients. To me, this was moving in showing how much care and dedication nurses showed to take care of people.”
Clinical Coordinator Lesieli Polutele is an exemplary nurse who lives and breaths the care and dedication of a nurse towards our customers each and every day.
Tell us a little bit about your background?
Born and raised in a village called Afa in Tongatapu. Second eldest of ten siblings. Mother to four children, grandmother to four kids. Began my nursing career in Tonga at the age 19 (1982), moved to New Zealand in 1998. Nursing career in New Zealand started at Greenlane hospital, then made the move to Auckland Hospital in 2003. Completed my education in Postgraduate diploma in health science: advance nursing at University of Auckland 2013. Then continued to complete a postgraduate certificate in specialty care in 2014 from Whitireia Polytechnic.
What sorts of things do you do in your job?
I do home-visits where I assess the client that has been referred to me by the DHB or MOH. After assessing them I write down the care-plan and the client’s goal they wish to achieve within 3-4 months. I give this information to the FC (field coordinator) who then sends a support worker. I also conduct workshops for the support workers in order to aid them in furthering their knowledge and skill.
Tell us about your customers / a normal day in your job?
Most customers are very welcoming and are very eager to participate in their healthcare. This makes the job much easier and more enjoyable.
What training have you completed at Pacific Homecare?
I have completed a certificate in Everyday Leaders. I participated in the MoneySmart workshop with Whanau Ora. I also run our internal training workshops alongside Louise.
What do you like most about working at Pacific Homecare?
What I like most about Pacific Homecare is how it helps to support and promote better health and lifestyles amongst our Pacific communities. The atmosphere of inclusiveness ties to our Pacific values of family and sense of community making the healthcare journey for clients and staff a pleasant one.
Who inspires you?
My father is my greatest inspiration. Though we had little money, he worked very hard to provide for the needs and wants of his family. He would constantly remind me that to get further in life, getting an education would be key. His work ethic and compassion I carry with me.
At the end of your working day, what do you like to do?
I love to go home and spend time with my family and discuss how our day has been over a nice hot dinner. I spend an hour reading my scriptures. But I do really enjoy letting my brain relax by playing Candy Crush. I often try to implement do 10-15mins of exercise.
“Thank you for selecting me to be the Employee of the Month. I am truly touched by this. But it is with all of you that I am able to do the work I do today. Thank you PHC, Hamish, & Louise, and to all of you who work hard to build and push this good work, we do for our communities. The Love, Care, and Professionalism we all aim to provide for our customer is what makes coming to work so enjoyable. Once again thank you for recognising my efforts at work but to remember it is all our efforts. Together that allows us to become an outstanding healthcare provider. God Bless. Amen”
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
Favourite type of music?
Gospel music
Favourite food?
Fruits and vegetables (particularly mangoes)
What are you into right now?
Home renovations
What languages do you speak?
Tongan and English
What are your hobbies?
Reading and going for walks/drives with my family at a park or beach
What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Walking barefoot to school with no lunch some days. Though it may not be positive to others, to me it is a humble reminder to never forget the struggle I had to go through to get to where I am today.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A nurse. When I was younger I was a patient with Meningitis, the hospital I stayed in had no lights, therefore, the nurse would always walk around with a torch to check on patients. To me, this was moving in showing how much care and dedication nurses showed to take care of people.
If you weren’t doing this job what would you be doing?
I would be pursuing an education and path in becoming a Priest.
“Lesieli has been recognised this month because of her commitment and passion. She adds value to the team and her willingness to attend to urgent placements or H&S concerns is always appreciated”
