We’d like to say a special thank you to all of our amazing admin and clerical colleagues who play a hugely important part in providing care to our patients.

We couldn’t do what we do without them, so to all our admin and clerical colleagues - thank you all so much for the huge contribution that you make.

To celebrate World Admin Professionals Day 2022, we have been speaking to some of our staff about what they do and why they enjoy their jobs:

Airene Almazora, Rota Coordinator / Slot Administrator

How long have you been a member of the admin team?
Seven months.

What does your role entail?
As a rota coordinator, I ensure the smooth organisation of our medical staff's rota to ensure we have adequate staffing for our Outpatient Clinic in the Haematology department. I work closely with all members of staff in our department such as consultants, registrars, and other admin staff. As a slot administrator, I am responsible for allocating and scheduling new patients that are referred to the Haematology Outpatient Clinic. I also manage our clinic templates/scheduling and supervise the safe capacity of clinic bookings.

How did you find your way here, to the Royal Devon?
I joined the Trust in September 2021. I knew that the Royal Devon is very good at supporting staff’s development, being a teaching and academy hospital, so I knew that would be a great opportunity to join Royal Devon and support my development.

What do you enjoy about your role?
One thing I enjoy most about my role is having a close relationship with everyone in the department. I work very closely with everyone, regardless of what band or profession they are. Everyone in our department is very friendly, approachable, and welcoming. As a new starter, I've always felt included and part of a team. I'm well supported and acknowledged.

What would you say to someone thinking about a career in admin?
Joining the admin career path can be rewarding, fulfilling, and accomplishing. There are great resources and a good supportive system available to everyone, so regardless of what experiences and skills you have, there is so much opportunity for you.

Angela Thurgood, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Co-ordinator

How long have you been a member of the admin team?
I have been a member of the admin team since 2006.

What does your role entail?
I provide the sole admin support for the ILD service at the Trust, which covers the whole of the South West peninsular, and have helped build the service from the beginning. This group of patients suffer from a condition also known as pulmonary fibrosis and have a life expectancy of 3-5 years. Every week, I receive referrals for patients all over the peninsular, and need to register them on the EPIC system (our electronic notes), add them to the ILD multidisciplinary team list, and complete the admin pathway. I also prepare a fortnightly regional clinic for patients, where they're seen by a consultant, ILD nurse, physio, and pharmacist. I have created a referral proforma for our service so other hospitals can send through all of the information on each patient, I've designed a patient spreadsheet so all of our patients’ pathways are accessible, and have created an information leaflet so our patients know what they can expect at their appointment. I also arrange meetings for the ILD team and provide information to NHS England and the British Thoracic Society.

How did you find your way here, to the Royal Devon?
I previously worked at Devon Partnership Trust as a medical secretary before coming here.

What do you enjoy about your role?
What I enjoy most is being one of the first ports of call for this group of patients. I love helping them and thinking outside the box to improve the service. I have created a feedback form so patients can easily let us know if there is anything we can do to make their appointment a better experience. From this, we know the patients are very satisfied once they have attended their appointment and grateful for the service we provide. These patients are often very anxious and I want to provide everything I possibly can for them and I know they appreciate that. I also love working in the ILD team, as I feel that we all work as equals and each feel valued.

What would you say to someone thinking about a career in admin?
If you are thinking about taking up a career in admin, you need patience, empathy, and understanding. Providing admin services at the hospital, I feel that the most of the people contacting us are anxious and can sometimes sound abrupt on the phone. Once we understand that and speak to patients appropriately, the conversation and outcome becomes more constructive.

Steph Collins, Exec Support Secretary – Team Leader

How long have you been a member of the admin team?
10 years.

What does your role entail?
I provide support for the Chief Operating Officer, which includes diary and email management, liaising with divisions regarding meetings, providing meeting support for the Operations team, managing incoming post for the Chief Executive, and handling expenses. I also provide rooms management on day-to-day basis and also cover for others in the Executive team during annual leave and sickness. I also complete appraisals for team.

How did you find your way here, to the Royal Devon?
I came as a temp after the admin review and secured a permanent role when temp position finished.

What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy working with the Executive team and Directors, and being in the go-to team for information requested from other department secretarial teams.

What would you say to someone thinking about a career in admin?
I would say I have been in admin all my working life and if, like me, you enjoy administration duties and juggling competing priorities, as well as the satisfaction of sorting out conflicting diary appointments in support of your manager and email management to assist your Director, then a career in admin is for you.