It becomes instantly clear when talking to Heather Fisk that she loves her job. Heather is the Marketing Coordinator at Avenir Memory Care at Nanaimo, one of six long-term care communities that are hosting a Hiring Fair for Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Assistants on Aug. 29.
This is the first healthcare-focused hiring fair in area. Heather says that recruiting challenges are the new normal in the continuing care industry. “We need to create our own hiring opportunities. That’s why Avenir Memory Care at Nanaimo decided to host this event and reached out to the other communities in our area to partner with us.” New jobs are being created every day but there’s a declining number of qualified workers to fill those roles and traditional hiring fairs only attract a limited number of interested and qualified candidates.
Although her role is on the business side, Heather loves being part of a team that serves and cares for some very special people. If you are an LPN or an HCA, she says, there are great reasons to work in a long-term care setting:
Competitive wages and benefits: The continuing care industry really is an employee’s market right now, with a variety of opportunities, specialties, and settings to choose from. Care communities want the best people, and offer competitive compensation packages for casual, part-time, and full-time staff.
Teamwork: Caring for residents can be complex and that requires a dynamic team. “You’re working with all different departments to deliver the best care possible,” she said. “You get to work with our dietary team, our recreation team, and our marketing team to come up with some pretty awesome events and to make sure that our residents and our staff are safe, happy, and cared for.”
Relationships: “In our community we specialize in memory care, so our residents here are living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia,” she said. “We get to build meaningful relationships with our residents and their families while providing care. It’s more than just a job. You get to be part of their lives and really make a difference.”
Heather says her own experience at Avenir Memory Care at Nanaimo is highly rewarding, and today’s long-term care settings are not at all like they were in the past. “It’s a very warm and comfortable environment. It really is home for our residents,” she said.
The hiring fair partners include Avenir Memory Care at Nanaimo; Bayshore Home Health; Wexford Creek; Woodgrove Manor; Origin at Longwood; and Nanaimo Seniors Village. The event will be in Room 7 at Beban Park Social Centre Thursday, Aug. 29 from 1 to 5 p.m.