Electricity in a hospital can never be taken for granted. Power systems must be stable, predictable, and always ready to support patient care at every moment of the day. When electrical work is done well, it’s almost invisible.
At St. Paul’s Hospital, Heather Ness is one of the electricians making that quiet reliability possible. For nearly three years, she has been part of the Facilities, Maintenance and Operations (FMO) team, helping maintain the complex electrical and low‑voltage infrastructure that powers everything from patient rooms to operating theatres—and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
A role with purpose
Before joining Providence Health Care, Heather spent years on the road in a service van, travelling across the Lower Mainland to handle electrical repairs and maintenance. The work was steady, but something was missing.
“I was looking for something more rewarding, closer to home, and a new kind of challenge,” she says. “When I saw a posting for a full‑time electrician at Providence, I jumped at the opportunity.”
It turned out to be exactly the change she was looking for.
“This checked all the boxes,” Heather says. “We work on so many different systems here, and it keeps the work interesting. And getting to know the quirky old systems of the historic St. Paul’s Hospital, while preparing to learn the state‑of‑the‑art technology at the new hospital, is such a unique opportunity.”
A big family behind the scenes
What keeps Heather at Providence is the people, the culture, and the shared purpose that comes with working in health care.
“The people are so kind. I like feeling like I’m part of a team,” she says. “After a few years of walking through all the different areas and departments, I see and chat with people who’ve become friends. Everyone has a smile and kind words. It really does feel like a big family at times.”
While her role doesn’t always bring her into direct contact with patients, she’s built strong relationships across the hospital.
“There are a few wards where I’ve come in to fix something, and people remember me when I come back,” she says. “It’s nice to get to know everyone.”
Those connections reinforce the impact of her work, even when it’s happening quietly behind the scenes.
A day in the life of a hospital electrician
Electrical work within FMO is highly collaborative, and no two days look the same. Each shift begins with situational awareness: reviewing overnight alarms and work orders, confirming that normal and emergency power systems are stable, and ensuring there are no unresolved impacts to life‑safety or critical systems.
From there, a typical day can include a mix of inspections, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and service requests, and all while keeping an eye out for early warning signs that could affect reliability.
“We rotate tasks from tenant repair requests to small projects and maintenance,” Heather explains. “Every day is something new.”
Her role includes:
- Troubleshooting and repairing lighting, controls, motors, and viable frequency devices (VFDs)
- Maintaining and adapting legacy electrical systems in a 100‑year‑old building
- Supporting plant operations during testing, switching, or abnormal conditions
- Collaborating closely with HVAC, Plant, Security, and the FMO Network team
- Observing system behaviours like heat, noise, smells, and load changes
- Developing spreadsheets and digital maintenance systems to support long‑term reliability
- Working closely with her supervisor to build sustainable, user‑friendly programs
“I like puzzles and troubleshooting, and there’s no shortage of that in the old building,” she laughs. “Sometimes the systems are so old that it’s a challenge, but that makes it even more rewarding when you finally figure it out.”
In a hospital environment, electrical issues can escalate quickly if ignored. That’s why Heather and her teammates focus on early detection, clear documentation, and proactive escalation long before patient care is affected.
Growing into leadership
Heather’s role has steadily evolved since she joined. As the team prepares for the transition to the new St. Paul’s Hospital opening in 2027, she’s taken on additional responsibility.
“I’ve taken a real interest in getting our team prepped for the move,” she says. “I’ve also started taking on more of a training role with our newest team members, and I’m really enjoying that.”
The future excites her, especially the opportunity to help build systems from the ground up.
“I’m most excited about setting up the preventative maintenance programs and procedures at the new hospital,” she says. “Being able to leave my mark on something from the very beginning feels really special.”
The Providence Health Care difference
For Heather, Providence’s uniqueness comes down to culture and support.
“People here care about being a giant team, and that makes it easy to come to work and enjoy what you do,” she says. “Management is supportive, training is provided, and the organization has invested in courses to help me upgrade my skills.”
Beyond professional development, her move to Providence has had a meaningful impact on her life outside of work.
“My work‑life balance has improved so much,” she says. “Working here leads to a lifestyle that’s hard to beat, with good benefits, great people, and high work satisfaction.”
“If you’re thinking about joining Providence, know that the work is rewarding, the people are lovely, and you really feel like you’re part of something meaningful.”
Behind every hospital bed, surgical suite, and hallway light switch is the work of teams like FMO, and people like Heather, who ensure power systems operate quietly, predictably, and safely, every single day.
Curious about a trade career with Providence? Come meet our team at the Skills Canada BC Competition on April 15, 2026, at the Abbotsford Trade & Exhibition Centre – entry is free! Or check out our FMO careers page for more information: Trades | Providence Health Care
By Jessica Collins
