Acknowledgement for 'unsung heroes' on Administrative Professionals Day
Administrative Professionals Day, on 2 May, is a timely reminder to reflect on the vital contribution administrative staff make across all Grampians Health campuses.
“Could you just give me one minute? I need to send this email right away.”
No matter when you meet with Edenhope’s Business Support Coordinator Jodi Finnigan, there will be interruptions.
Within five minutes she receives a request by video-call, followed by a visit from a receptionist handing over documents, then a knock at the door about a laundry order – “Do you know a Dianne?”. Someone else chimes in, “Would the Support Services Manager approve this order?”.
Administrative Professionals Day, on 2 May, is a timely reminder to reflect on the vital contribution administrative staff make across all Grampians Health campuses.
Administration professionals create order in the midst of chaos. They thrive on planning, but constantly adapt when nothing goes to plan. They are the calm, friendly faces with legs powering away under water.
After a few days of leave, Jodi returned to 130 emails.
“Wherever you work in administration, you’ve got to prioritise,” she said. “You might be doing something, but need to stop and re-focus on a more important task.
“Sorry, I need to get this.” It’s another video call. Discussing the importance of her role is not the current priority.
Edenhope is a small campus, so Jodi juggles everything from rental and staff housing and police checks to assisting the campus manager, helping with pay-roll requests and on-boarding new staff.
“I’ve got my finger in all the pies really,” she said. “Sometimes it’s like your head is spinning and you don’t know where to turn next.”
She is reluctant to admit how valuable her own contribution is, but agrees administrative professionals are often the unsung heroes.
“Receptionists are the face of the organisation, which is fundamental, and they balance that with so many other tasks,” she said.
“And then there are teams of people behind the scenes, making sure everything keeps running.
“Nursing is no more important than admin and the campus manager is no more important than the staff cleaning the toilets; we all work together to keep the place going.”
We couldn’t have said it better Jodi.
On behalf of all Grampians Health staff and the communities we serve, we thank our wonderful administrative professionals for keeping this vital machine running.
