Pursuing a career in health care extends far beyond wearing a stethoscope and scrubs. Any role within the health authority requires a balance of passion and purpose so that team members are working and living Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCH) core value: caring for everyone.
VCH is actively seeking qualified health-care professionals to join its team that are not just dedicated to healing, but to redefining the standard of care.
Are you up for the challenge?
A collaborative working environment
There are many unique areas that contribute to the fundamentals of health care. However, they all tie into one common priority: delivering quality patient care.
At VCH, patients are the priority. Taking a people-first approach to culture and work, VCH aims to create a collaborative and culturally safe environment that supports its teams and the care they provide for their patients. This starts with creating an environment where teams feel comfortable and confident in having their voices heard.
“I love being part of a team that works together to address complex health challenges. The work we do in caring for people's loved ones is a privilege and the team approach we take to deliver that care is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” explains Jessica Chan, a speech-language pathologist who has been with VCH since she embarked on her career seven years ago.
Thriving in her role as a speech-language pathologist, Chan credits the open communication style and collaborative environment VCH creates. It’s through this collaborative environment that Chan feels empowered to share her ideas on patient treatment plans. It also provides her with opportunities for training that allow her to continue advancing in her skillset.
“Using our unique specialties and perspectives, our team is always working towards helping our clients achieve their goals. Through open communication and mutual respect within the team, we align our efforts and implement solutions that truly centre around the wellbeing and goals of our patients.”
Opportunities for career advancement
Chan is one of many team members who has benefited from the career advancement opportunities and training available through VCH. It is this investment in people that ensures the health authority’s success.
Another example of this commitment to staff progression is Dr. Kathryn Fung, a psychiatrist trained in Edmonton, Alberta. Starting her psychiatric career in B.C.’s interior, she refined her skills as a physician. After a year, Dr. Fung wanted more opportunities to provide mentorship and training to a new cohort of doctors. This prompted her to move to Richmond.
“I have been fortunate to have had great mentors guiding me throughout my career, and I felt compelled to give back,” she explains. “Richmond is a community that allows me to work in both acute and community settings, with an academic connection to UBC. I value creating a safe and supportive learning environment for psychiatry learners as well as for medical staff in different stages of their career.”
John Dion, a registered nurse who moved to Canada from the Philippines, echoes this sentiment, stating they appreciate the career growth opportunities at VCH, such as the chance to work in different clinical settings.
“I feel very lucky to do what I love every day – providing care for those in need,” Dion explains. “Not only do I feel supported at work by my team, but VCH offers so many nursing opportunities, fueling my career exploration and growth.”
VCH offers several 100 per cent funded training programs to ensure its teams receive ample opportunities for growth and learning, including but not limited to:
- The Health Career Access Program – Supplying entry-level access to become a registered care aid.
- The RN and RPN Educator Pathway – Develops knowledge and skills in teaching training.
- The Regional Perioperative Education Program – Provides Registered Nurse education to support entry into the operating room.
- Specialty Nurse training opportunities – Paid education programs covering wages while in training (and books).
- The Regional Home Health Education Program – Eight weeks of classroom and online training combined with in-person learning opportunities, with wages and books covered while in training.
VCH also offers growth and development opportunities through initiatives such as Indigenous Cultural Safety training, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training, leadership development programs, new grad programs and more. These initiatives ensure that VCH continues to strive for better results when it comes to patient care.
"It’s important for me to work within an organization that embraces diversity and fosters inclusivity,” reveals Dion. “I’m a non-binary person of colour and I’ve felt nothing but welcomed and valued on the teams I’ve worked with."
Caring for VCH employees so they can care for others
At its core, VCH is a team connected through collaboration, support and providing quality and compassionate patient care to the communities in which it operates.
VCH offers current and prospective team members a collaborative work environment, career growth and many training opportunities. The health authority also provides comprehensive health benefits, competitive salaries as well as a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and strives to create a supportive team environment.
In addition to seeking new team members to fill priority positions, including nurse practitioners, social workers, occupational therapists and other health-care professionals, VCH is also actively recruiting for less traditional health-care roles, such as chef positions in hospital kitchens, accountants, legal professionals, community liaisons and more.
Are you ready to pursue a career that fuses passion and purpose? Visit vch.ca/connect today to learn more.
