With the opening of the new BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre a few months away, hiring for new positions is ramping-up this March.
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is now recruiting for radiation therapists, nurses, pharmacy, nutrition, counseling, clerical, and support staff for the new Abbotsford Centre, which is integrated within the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
“This new facility is world-class and contributes towards setting the stage for a new era in cancer care and prevention for residents in the Fraser Valley and surrounding area,” said George Abbott, Minister of Health. “We invite health professionals to join in forming collaborative teams that will make a difference to patients and further the BC Cancer Agency’s position of leadership in Canada.”
“The positions available all play an important role in contributing directly or indirectly to cancer care and research at the new BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre,” says Mary Flaherty, Interim Director of Regional Operations at the BC Cancer Agency Fraser Valley and Abbotsford Centres.
The positions will first be posted internally within the BC Cancer Agency, followed by advertising externally. It’s a strategy that has worked well in the past with the opening of new BC Cancer Agency regional centres in the Fraser Valley in 1995 and in Kelowna in 1997 says Flaherty.
“The ideal situation is to bring in skilled professionals from other centres to maintain the high level of excellence in providing care and for those skilled professionals to orient new employees joining the Agency from other facilities, outside the province, or country,” explains Flaherty. “We’ve been very fortunate that highly-trained, committed Agency staff have purposely chosen to move to Abbotsford.”
Interested applicants are encouraged to regularly visit the BC Cancer Agency website at www.bccancer.bc.ca/ABCCA/JoinourTeam for information on positions as they become available.
Heather Denusik, Human Resources Consultant, believes the BC Cancer Agency’s reputation as a leader in cancer treatment and research will draw people to fill the remaining positions.
“People want to work for the BC Cancer Agency because in addition to the professional opportunities, there’s a sense of pride in being involved with an organization which is so well-respected around the world,” says Denusik.
Dr. Conrad Oja, a medical oncologist hired for the new Abbotsford Centre, agrees wholeheartedly. “We’re going to offer a first-rate cancer treatment facility for patients with an active clinical trials program, that’s part of the respected BC Cancer Agency network. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
The BC Cancer Agency’s Abbotsford Centre is the fifth of the regional centers that are at the heart of the Agency’s provincial cancer control network. The new centre will provide a full range of cancer control services, including, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, clinical trials, and supportive care, such as patient and family counseling, nutritional assessment, pain and symptom management and palliative care.
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
Tel: 604.877.6272
Pgr: 604.806.2338
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca