Aged care facility in Toowoomba in race to fill 130 jobs ahead of opening

The race is on to fill more than 130 jobs that are about to be created when a massive new facility opens west of Brisbane in the new year.

MORE than 130 jobs will be created when a massive aged care facility opens in Toowoomba in the new year.

Ozcare’s 150-bed facility at Greenwattle St in Glenvale is nearing completion, and will incorporate state-of-the-art design features as demand for residential aged care shifts toward a more private, connected experience.

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Ozcare, a not-for-profit organisation, will start recruiting workers for the facility this month.

The organisation is looking for full time, part time, and casual staff across clinical care, hospitality, domestic services, maintenance, gardening, administration, and diversional therapy roles.

Ozcare’s head of aged care Lanna Ramsay said a predicted increase in the prevalence of dementia in the Toowoomba region in the next seven years was set to have a significant impact on services.

Ozcare's 150-bed aged care facility at Glenvale is nearing completion.

New figures show more than 3000 people are living with dementia in the Toowoomba region and that figure will increase by one-third over the coming decade.

“The national, state and local trends are driving the need for flexible aged care services in the Darling Downs region,” Ms Ramsay said.

“We’re now on the cusp of the ageing baby boomers - the largest generation of growth in the nation in the post-war period.”

Ozcare currently provides home support for 862 people and their carers in the Toowoomba region and a further 158 people access the organisation’s dementia advisory service.

A free information session will also be held in February to invite volunteers to be part of the new facility. They will undergo police checks and trained as concierges, helping with the day-to-day activities within the facility and coffee shop.

Ozcare is taking expressions of interest for staff through their website.

The centre is expected to open in April 2019.