The meaningful and diverse careers in Facilities Maintenance and Operations

Brendan Drea (pictured left) has been an integral part of the team for the past eight years. In his role, he maintains a variety of electrical and mechanical systems to assure the hospital and its staff can operate effectively. His responsibilities include conducting regular inspections, promptly addressing any outages or equipment failures, and collaborating with the maintenance team to implement safe and efficient solutions to restore functionality. “The job is hard to summarize on a day-to-day basis, which is precisely why I love it,” Brendan shares. “The thing I love about this job is the ability to see a wide variety of aspects of the trade, work alongside and learn with other trades and contractors and find ways to respond to urgent repairs and outages as necessary.”

“I have worked with knowledgeable electricians, millwrights, plumbers, and engineers throughout my time at VCH. A lot of the systems throughout our facilities require working with other trades and this can provide insights as you collaborate to troubleshoot and solve problems using different skillsets. During emergencies, such as floods or outages, the entire maintenance team rallies together to resolve issues promptly and effectively.”

When discussing the nuances of working in trades within health care, Brendan highlights the unique aspects of his experience at VCH, particularly the focus on troubleshooting and emergency response rather than physical demands, which differs from the norm encountered in the construction industry. “It challenges the skillset you have already learned and expands upon it,” he explains. “You will work on a wide variety of equipment ranging from critical care equipment, motors, distribution, and more.”

Drawing motivation from the immediate and tangible outcomes of his work, Brendan talks about his role in serving the community. “In emergency situations, you feel the weight of your actions and see the appreciation and results when the problem has been resolved,” he explains. “You get to see the long-last effects of your work and the impact it has on the facility, staff and general public.”

Ken Chan (pictured centre) chose a career in the trades for its long-term stability and graduated from BCIT under the province’s apprenticeship program.

He has spent the last ten months at VCH. In his role, Ken oversees the day-to-day plumbing needs at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), encompassing a wide range of responsibilities such as implementing building-wide preventative measures, as well as executing repairs and enhancements to water, drainage steam and gas systems throughout the facility. His tasks vary from rapid response tasks such as immediate repairs to sinks, toilets, equipment malfunctions and pipe damage, alongside planned projects aimed at maintaining or enhancing the plumbing infrastructure, upgrading materials, and addressing both long-time wear and tear.

Ken’s responsibilities span across the entire hospital grounds, providing him with an abundance of opportunities to engage with a diverse spectrum of individuals. The driving force behind his work is knowing that his plumbing expertise directly contributes to the comfort of patients and facilitates the smooth operation of the hospital.

He also speaks highly of his colleagues. “They are very friendly. We all try to pitch in when we have the time and skills for some of the jobs as everyone is always happy to help.”

Magnum Bala (pictured right) started as a HVAC-Electronic Instrument Controls Technician 1 in June 2023 at VCH, then transitioned into his current role of Chargehand, HVAC at VGH.

Reflecting on his transition, Magnum discussed how his workload has shifted towards primarily administrative tasks. His daily duties now involve reviewing job specifications, ensuring equipment shutdowns are conducted effectively to minimize disruptions, and contributing to the creation and oversight of preventative maintenance programs, among others. “I love my job because nothing is ever cookie-cutter; every day is an adventure. You don’t usually see the same thing twice and there’s always a puzzle that needs to be solved,” he explains. “And you get to work with different mindsets that force you to see things in different lights.”

“Had I known about working in a hospital in the HVAC department earlier, I would have applied here over ten years ago,” Magnum says. In addition to helping impact patient experience through HVAC, he talks about his positive experiences working at VCH, including the respectful work environment, employee discounts, comprehensive health benefits, vacation entitlements and pension plans.

A shared sentiment among the three is that VCH stands out in fostering a healthy work-life balance for trade positions. Brendan highlights this as one of VCH’s greatest strengths, emphasizing the flexibility in managing personal and urgent matters, while Ken appreciates the well-defined line between work and personal life. And for Magnum, he emphasizes the manageable workload, with colleagues and management readily assisting each other when needed. Additionally, Magnum values the ability to leave work behind at the end of the day and prioritize quality time with his family.

Finally, Brendan shares some final thoughts on working as a tradesperson at VCH. “It’s true that the industry trades are in demand, and it can be more lucrative to work in other sectors. The working environment, comradery, security, and lifestyle of working here, however, is what keeps a lot of us here.”

A special thank you to Brendan, Ken, Magnum, and all the FMO team who continue to play a crucial role in supporting the delivery of health care every day.

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