Few people get to take pride in their town by taking pride in their work, but that is the entire goal of public works. Today is National Public Works Day, the time for us all to acknowledge our diligent public works employees. Mark works in Public Works Maintenance in a town in the southwest of the province, and everyday Mark and his coworkers strive to keep things in their town running smoothly. Marks has many different roles in his position, depending on the time of year. During the winter he maintains streets and sidewalks, removing snow and keeping roadways clear. In the summer, Mark keeps busy with street sweeping, and keeping the town clean. But he must always be ready for any town emergencies that may come his way.
This week is National Biomedical/ Clinical Engineering Week! If you think that title sounds interesting, you would be correct. That is exactly how our profiled Biomedical Engineering Technologist, Doug, ended up in this field. Doug met someone in this line of work and thought it sounded interesting. After 2 years of schooling Doug began working in the field, and 19 years later he can’t imagine a better fit for a career. Doug works in an urban acute care setting where he must continue to update his education by taking various courses on specific pieces of equipment as they are released.
Doug starts his day in the OR to see if there are any problems that require his immediate attention. After they have been addressed, Doug continues through the hospital to find equipment for preventive maintenance. It is this helpful problem solving that is Doug’s favourite part of his job. “It is very satisfying to make another person’s day go smoothly, I feel like I really contribute to how the hospital runs and cares for patients in those moments, albeit from behind the scenes,” Doug says.
Cheryl is an LPN in a rural acute care facility.
When COVID hit she thought, “We’ve got this!”
But they didn’t... they had nothing.
There must have been a greater force at work when Caroline applied for a job in her urban childcare facility. She sent in what she describes as “just a random application for a job that turned into my career.” Fifteen years and a pandemic later, Caroline is still as excited about her job as when she began.
Amanda has been a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) for home care for almost twenty years . She assists clients with medications, helps them get dressed, assists with baths, applies compression stockings, assists with colostomy bags and catheters, and she visits with them when time permits.
Amanda chose this career after volunteering at an urban hospital when she was in high school. She loves getting to know her clients and their families and helping to keep clients in their own homes as long as possible. She takes pride in offering peace of mind to the families of those she cares for, that their loved ones are in caring, capable hands.
Tracy is an SEIU-West member who works at an urban childcare facility in the south of the province. This is the time to appreciate all that she does for the children in her community, Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.
In a day, Tracy provides care for ten toddlers, but it’s so much more than that. Tracy spends her time feeding, playing with, and nurturing children in a way that will make a difference in their lives. Spending time with children is something Tracy is passionate about and has been doing for 10 years. Every day is a new day, and there is always something to learn and someone to inspire.
Colleen is a Licenced Practical Nurse (LPN) in an urban long-term care facility.
She describes working through the COVID-19 pandemic as a marathon. Each day has had its own challenges and rewards. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, she and her team have seen so many changes, which at times have come at them so fast they could hardly keep up. They’ve seen loss, heartbreak and loneliness beyond measure. She has seen her colleagues struggle.
Chelsea works in a rural long-term care facility as a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) where for the past 6 years, she has loved helping people, getting to know the residents and being part of a team.
On Youth Worker Day, May 5, we shine a spotlight on SEIU-West member, Jessica, who works in an urban acute care facility. Jessica has been in the field of Youth Work for nearly ten years. Even before she obtained her certification in Youth Care Work in 2014, Jessica worked providing respite for foster families. This sparked a lifelong passion for working with youth and helping them grow.
In a day, Jessica leads youth through a variety of therapeutic recreation activities, teaches group and life skill, and engages with them to help with their healing process. These activities are designed to help her clients realize their potential and teach them coping skills. Jessica works daily to create bonds with the kids and to help them thrive within the healing process.
Connie has been working in Laundry Services in an urban Long-Term Care (LTC) facility for six to seven years, but began her journey in the field roughly 28 years ago.