Staff Spotlight
A social worker’s journey of growth and impact
Since graduating, Social Worker Parveen Chavda has advanced her career across various acute and community settings at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). “VCH is committed to providing high-quality care and offers a great learning experience, supporting employee development and career growth,” she says.
Continuous learning and career progression
Parveen’s journey began with a unique practicum opportunity between the Birth Centre and NICU at Richmond Hospital and Richmond Public Health. “This specialized training opportunity provided a well-rounded and enriching learning experience,” she reflects. “It enabled me to gain insight into the hospital and community care, and helped integrate my learning into practice.”
After earning her Master’s in Social Work in 2018, Parveen worked at Vancouver General Hospital and Richmond Hospital, engaging with diverse patient populations. She learned to adapt to each patient’s unique needs, supporting end-of-care life planning, discharge planning, and care throughout the continuum.
In 2024, Parveen transitioned to a community-based role at the Richmond East Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC), which serves individuals with urgent and non-life-threatening health conditions. Her responsibilities include psychosocial assessments, short-term counselling, crisis management, referrals to specialized services, and navigation of the health-care system. Using her acute care experience, she can support her clients with complex care needs and optimize health-care outcomes. “It is humbling to see the lasting impact social workers can have on individuals, supporting them through complex psychosocial situations and various social determinants of health,” she says.
Parveen highlights the importance of mentorship, new graduate supports, and the in-house and online training programs she has received at VCH throughout her career. She continues to expand her knowledge and skills through formal training and exchanging insights with colleagues.
A collaborative team environment
As part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team at the UPCC, Parveen values the strong support and camaraderie among her colleagues. “My colleagues are very supportive and are always willing to help,” she says. “The leadership is encouraging, welcoming new ideas and is open to staff voices.”
The team deeply values the contributions of allied health professionals, and Parveen enjoys collaborating with her colleagues and community partners alike. Together, they are constantly learning from one another to deliver comprehensive, team-based care.
Benefits, flexibility and work-life balance
Working in the community setting allows Parveen to maintain a healthy work-life balance. With a schedule alternating weekdays and weekends off, she enjoys the flexibility to engage in her hobbies, attend personal appointments, and prioritize her overall well-being.
In addition, perks such as education reimbursement, subsidies for professional accreditation, counseling services for staff and their families, and wellness programs support Parveen’s ability to provide exceptional care. She also notes the importance of self-care and maintaining a strong support network. “There are numerous resources and supports in place for the staff which can be accessed easily,” she says.
Grow your career with VCH
“It is a great organization for health care professionals to be with, grow and flourish in a team-based environment,” Parveen says.
Whether you’re interested in acute care or community settings, VCH has exciting opportunities.
