Building Better Futures for People with Catastrophic Injury

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COOCI Associates is an organisation that specialises in the assessment, rehabilitation and case management of people with catastrophic injuries.

Kara Glen has been a Case Manager at COOCI Associates for 8 years. For Kara the road to COOCI Associates was relatively straightforward.  She qualified as a physiotherapist in 2002 and was a senior physiotherapist at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital for 10 years.  The NSCI is renowned worldwide for the innovative and successful treatment of spinal injuries and as the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. After qualifying as a Physiotherapist in 2002, Kara spent two years completing junior rotations where she consolidated her knowledge and gained further clinical experience. When the time came to opt for a specialisation, she chose spinal cord injuries and secured employment at the National Spinal injuries Centre (NSIC) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.  She felt critical injury, care and rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries was where she could really develop and eventually have the most impact. She also preferred to be involved with the recovery of the whole person, rather than ‘one section of a body’. It was in this expert environment working with ground-breaking specialists and a hugely experienced and dedicated team, that she learned about acute recovery and how to help patients cope with the monumental changes that had impacted their lives.

At the NSIC, Kara often saw patients within 24 hours of injury and then began working with them on their pathway of adjustment and recovery.  She felt it was a privilege to support them through what was a life-changing circumstance and being able to help make a difference, which gave her great satisfaction. She also became aware that catastrophic injury affects the whole family and even friends and that one of the most important things was to try and instil a spirit of hope, determination and courage to carry on, to believe that it was not an end, but a different way of thinking and doing.

After almost a decade at the NSIC, Kara was considering a change and COOCI Associates came along just at the right time. She met Kate, who at the time was another COOCI Associates’ Case Manager through her work, who felt Kara would make an excellent Case Manager.  Kara was very nervous about leaving the NHS but she really was ready to develop, move forward and embrace a broader role.  She was a stranger to the private sector and how it worked, but she applied for the job. COOCI Associates, who are based in Aylesbury, asked her in for an informal chat and the rest is history. The company, as Kara sees it, are really good employers and she enjoys a really competitive salary and other rewarding benefits. She also works with a very professional support team comprising of incredibly experienced, dedicated colleagues and a highly proficient and responsive admin team. However, the flexibility the role offers Kara, as a single parent, enables her to achieve a good work/life balance.

COOCI Associates are often referred by personal injury solicitors and become involved when clients are progressing through the litigation process. Case Managers are asked to carry out an Immediate Needs Assessment and then, once funding is agreed, organise and action a suitable rehabilitation and support programme. Kara feels it gives her great satisfaction to be able contribute to this.

Kara loves her job because every day is different – ‘there is literally no typical day being a Case Manager.’ When a new referral is sent to COOCI Associates, profiles of suitably experienced Case Managers are put forward, subject to the client’s injuries, background etc, and after a phone call and a meeting with the client and/or the family, a Case Manager will be chosen.  Kara believes ‘It has to be right for everyone and the client has to feel the Case Manager is on the same wavelength and be able to have effective communication.’  She feels she is there to help bridge the gaps and her day might involve moving a loved one from acute care to another specialist clinic or back to begin their life at home with and all the preparation that will involve. She might organise medical or physical rehabilitation appointments, and exercise sessions or organise mobility support and accommodation for a younger client who is about to start at university. She often has meetings with consultants or specialists, or is researching new equipment, or looking for a care provider. After 18 years of working in rehabilitation, Kara has developed an extensive network of quality contacts. Her time is also often spent liaising with the client’s family and friends to keep them updated of any solutions that are sourced and developed. She might also be finding suppliers to adapt living spaces or sourcing or hiring specialist equipment. Many clients also require support with mobility and travel; the remit of a Case Manager is very broad. Kara is very proud to say that she has even helped a previous client to attend the Rio 2016 Paralympics and is now travelling to Japan to compete again in shooting.

Kara really loves her job. ‘It really gives you the chance to make a positive difference to someone’s life every single day. Yes, there is the physical side of it but it is also about helping them to face their mental challenges, to make progress no matter how small, and being there to acknowledge their courage and achievements.  It is about lifting their spirits and helping them to reconcile themselves to a different way of living their lives, whilst still trying to make the most of it.  Ultimately, we help to build better futures for people with catastrophic, life-changing injuries

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A COOCI ASSOCIATES’ CASE MANAGER?

If you hold a clinical qualification, such as Registered Nurse, an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist and you would like to develop and expand your knowledge and experience, whilst making a positive impact on someone’s life every day, then you might make an excellent Case Manager. If so, COOCI Associates would like to hear from you.  If you thrive on a challenge, love a fast-paced environment, are good at juggling multiple priorities and would like to work with a highly professional team, then why not make a call?

Tel: 01844 221200