On The Job

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday July 6, 2006

Sharon Lindsay

Anne Lee Admissions manager, Royal Hospital for Women

Age 43

Qualifications

A long time ago I got a business certificate through TAFE and more recently a certificate in frontline management, in-house.

Did genes, environment or accident get you here?

We were city kids that moved to the country when our parents bought a pub in Gunning. I always worked with people in one way or another, be it running a small bank agency or working in accounts for schools.

What do you do?

I manage a staff of 15 - the front line of the hospital. Everyone has to pass the admissions desk, be it a mother-to-be, a visitor or the flower-delivery guy. I also look after all the communications in the hospital - the paging systems, all the telephones. Nothing on a daily basis is ever the same. That's why I love it. And we get to see all that raw emotion ... so much joy with the birth of a new baby. At the Royal there are about 11 that arrive each day.

Toughest part of the job?

When a patient dies.

Most satisfying part?

Babies. I love it when they ring down to register a newborn patient.

If you could, what would you change?

More money for the hospitals.

How do other people see you?

Cheery, positive, can-do and a bit of a fuss bag.

What are you proudest of?

I truly love our work. We're here for women.

Strange work moment?

One of my staff delivered an impatient baby in the driveway one day. The baby was fine but the staff member became quite shaky afterwards, worrying about all the things that could have gone wrong.

What do you do for fun?

My husband, Murray, and I do a lot of family-orientated sport with our kids, Mark and Kelly.

Career in another life?

A midwife.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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