Zoha Rashidinejad joined Paladin Security as a Healthcare Operator within the Paladin Operations Centre in 2015. She was promoted to Shift Supervisor in 2017 and quickly grew to Department Lead for People & Culture in 2018. Zoha has since been promoted to the Paladin Operations Centre Manager, as of 2019. Below she shares her experience working in Paladin’s Operation Centre and how Paladin is helping her achieve her career goals.
Why did you apply for a position in the Operations Centre?
I was studying Criminology in college and was looking into some type of public safety career path when I came across a posting for the Paladin Operations Centre. I figured the position would be a good stepping stone to achieving a career in Emergency Response Dispatching, such as BC Ambulance or 911.
What do you like most about working in Ops?
I enjoy the fast-paced work environment, as well as working as part of a team. No two days are alike when working as a call-taker/dispatcher for 50+ healthcare sites within the lower mainland. As a Healthcare Operator, you become aware of a lot of incidents that occur at the healthcare facilities and are responsible for escalating urgent situations to the appropriate audience.
What makes this department so unique?
What makes this department so unique is the work that is being done in this environment. Healthcare Security is a very small portion of the company overall, however in my opinion it is the most important. Working alongside Site Security who are on the front lines, as well as liaising with Ambulance Services and Correctional Facilities, truly makes this line of work the most rewarding. We all have a common goal and that is working hard to keep the most vulnerable in our healthcare facilities safe.
If someone was interested in applying for Ops – what advice would you give them?
If they are interested in working in Public Safety and are looking to pursue a career in Law Enforcement or Emergency Response, the Paladin Operations Centre is the perfect environment to really develop their skills. The high-volume call centre creates a “non-stop” atmosphere, which can really help someone develop their ability to handle stress as well as advance their de-escalation skills, as a lot of callers are experiencing emergent situations.
What does it take to be successful in this environment?
To be successful, one must have excellent communication skills as well as good computer proficiency/typing speed. One must be able to work in a team, as well as complete tasks independently. Having the ability to work well under stressful situations and maintain a calm and collected demeanor is also key in working in this environment.
How can, or has, your current position set you up to meet your career goals?
My current position has set me up to meet my career goals by providing me with the tools to develop my skill set, as well as push me out of my comfort zone and teach me new skills that I wasn’t aware that I was capable of. The Paladin Operations Centre is full of different positions and promotional opportunities.
What is the next step for you in your career?
I’ve recently been promoted to a managerial position, the next step in my career is navigating this milestone and developing my skills on a much larger scale. The Paladin Operations Centre has provided me with a multitude of promotional opportunities throughout my time here, and I am excited to continue down this path with the department, and the company.