Physiotherapist Jimmy Goulis, received the award for ‘Clinical Excellence’ at the recent Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards.

The award recognises a clinician or clinical team generous with knowledge, who instils confidence in patients and colleagues, and achieves excellent patient outcomes.

Jimmy’s Northern Health journey started eight years ago, when he was bringing his father to hand therapy appointments at the hospital.

“The hand therapy team who dealt with my dad were so skilled and kind and made a great impression on me. Shortly after this, I saw a job come up as a grade 2 outpatient physiotherapist and that’s where it all began,” he says.

Fast forward to 2019, and Jimmy has been instrumental in leading outpatient musculoskeletal physios at Northern Health. He has also implemented advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy services such as the Post Arthroplasty Review Service at Northern Health. This service came about due to the high volume of patients having joint replacement surgery and then requiring post-op review services. This is a collaborative service that continues at Northern Health and it runs alongside orthopaedic surgeons.

Physiotherapist Ken Koh, says “Jimmy’s professionalism and knowledge, as well as his passion for sharing his clinical knowledge with his team and his patients make him an invaluable asset and colleague.”

Recently, Jimmy has embarked on a new clinical challenge, working in an Advanced-Practice role in the Emergency Department (ED). In this position, Jimmy assesses and manages patients with musculoskeletal complaints alongside ED medical and nursing staff. He describes working in the ED as his most challenging clinical role to date, but is enjoying utilising his skills in this setting.

“The ED team are incredibly supportive, and it’s such a collaborative environment. Working so closely with the ED Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Nurses has been a fantastic opportunity.”

Jimmy isn’t foreign to high-pressure environments, having worked in the military in England for 5 years.

“It was a different environment (to the ED) but there are many similarities. Both are fast paced, where concise communication and attention to detail is required.”

“I’m proud to say I work at Northern Health. We provide great services to a community that really needs medical and allied health services. What I enjoy most is the supportive and collaborative environment and the many opportunities available,” Jimmy says.

“Just when I thought my career had plateaued, my manager Tom Collins suggested I should consider working in the ED. It’s turned out to be a great suggestion and it means I continue to learn and be inspired and I’m really grateful for that.”

Sponsored by Maxxia and BankVic, our Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards have been designed to formally recognise outstanding contributions by our employees and celebrate staff excellence. Nominations for the next Awards are now open and will close 1 May 2019. To nominate a staff member click here.

Featured image: Jimmy Goulis assisting a patient with the leg press