Shauna Doughty began her introduction into the healthcare field in 1993 working as a care provider in a group home. After 5 years she entered the office as a Supervisor in home support and stayed there until 2011.
Although working in the health care field was not her initial career aspiration, Shauna did want to explore her options.
“I had no idea what I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted to further my education, I wanted to go to university, “Shauna explains. “I ended up falling in love with Linguistics.”
With an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Psychology and her previous experience working with mentally and physically challenged populations, the transition to home care support has been a natural one for Shauna.
She is currently the manager of operations for Saint Elizabeth Health Care in Vancouver. Her current role is to oversee service delivery in all of the areas where Community Health Workers are sent out to see clients.
Staying with the same company through its transition and growth over the years has given Shauna the opportunity to work with a strong group of people, one whom she credits as one of the reasons she loves her job.
“Even with us becoming Saint Elizabeth, it continues to be a great team of people to work with right up to our regional director to our community health care workers.”
Contributing to such a vital role within this field has proven very satisfying for Shauna and it is the little things that bring joy to her days.
“Seeing that we are doing something that changes people’s situations,” Shauna explains. “It is a really needed service. Having people in their homes and allowing people to stay in their homes longer.”
Making the connection is a pivotal part of any role within the home care field. Providing service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week means finding people who can handle a versatile role and keep the focus on the needs of clients. [quote name=”Shauna Doughty” pull=”right”]It is a really needed service. Having people in their homes and allowing people to stay in their homes longer[/quote]
“What you put into it, is what you will get back out of it. It is a very rewarding career,” she says. “The nicest thing is, when you are in your day and you get that phone call or letter from a client or the client’s family just saying I really want to make sure you know what a difference your community support workers made to my mom’s last days.”
When she is not working Shauna is busy with her two daughters skiing and getting outside as well as being an avid reader.
“I really admire the people I work with; it is so hard to name just one who stands out as a role model.”
– Written by freelance writer Angie Holubowich for the Seniors Care HR Planning Committee. Funding for this project was provided by the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement
