April 29, 2026On Administrative Professionals Day, we celebrate the professionals who make patient care possible – often quietly, and always with impact.
Did you know that 13 per cent of the Northern Health workforce works in administrative roles? These roles are diverse, highly skilled, and essential. While they may differ in function, they all share one thing in common: they support both our patients and our people.
Administrative teams ensure patients receive safe, timely care, while also recruiting, supporting and paying our staff, maintaining safe rosters, protecting wellbeing, and providing essential workforce support. Without administration, patient care cannot begin, and without strong support for our workforce, it cannot be sustained. Administrative roles are woven into the fabric of our organisation.
Here are just some of the ways our administrative teams support Northern Health every day:
- Patient Care Starts with Admin – No registration, no care
Patient care cannot begin until an administrative professional has registered the patient, confirmed details and created the medical record. - Health Information Services (HIS) & Medical Records
Every diagnosis, test result, operation note and discharge summary exists because administrative teams manage, protect, report and retrieve patient information accurately and in line with legal requirements. - Emergency Department Clerks: calm in the chaos
During our busiest moments, ED clerks ensure patients are identified, tracked and linked to clinicians, helping emergency care flow safely. - Specialist Outpatient Clinics Administration
Managing appointments, waitlists, recalls, letters and follow‑ups to ensure patients are seen at the right time, by the right team - Ward Clerks: the engine room of inpatient care
Admissions, discharges, bed movements, referrals, clinical schedules and communication all rely on ward clerks to keep wards running smoothly. - Hospital Reception: the first face of care
Welcoming patients and families, managing visitors and answering questions, often during stressful times, sets the tone for the patient experience. - Payroll & Recruitment
Ensuring staff are paid accurately and on time, while managing leave, entitlements, rostering systems and workforce data. Advertising, recruiting and onboarding - People and Culture
Supporting our people so they can support patients, assisting staff and managers through complex, sensitive and critical moments across the workforce lifecycle. - Accounts Payable & Revenue Services
From paying suppliers on time to securing accurate funding, administrative teams help keep the hospital financially sustainable so services can continue. - Public Affairs
Connecting our health service with our community by sharing our stories, helping build trust in our health service, and ensuring clear, timely communication to our staff and community. - Divisional Director Assistants & Executive Assistants
Supporting our leaders by managing priorities, communication and coordination, enabling effective decision‑making and keeping the health service connected and moving forward. - Safety, privacy and compliance
Policies, governance, audits and records management protect patient privacy and ensure we meet legislative and regulatory standards, including sharing information and Freedom of Information
This year, Administrative Professionals Day holds special meaning.
We are proud to announce the inaugural Kelly Luca Administrative Professional Development Scholarship, a $1,000 award generously sponsored by Bing Technologies, dedicated to recognising and supporting the growth of our administrative workforce.
This scholarship honours the legacy of Kelly Luca, who dedicated 24 years to Northern Health, beginning in Specialist Clinics and progressing into leadership roles. She was a passionate advocate for administrative professionals, committed to creating opportunities for growth, recognition and meaningful careers.
She led with integrity, generosity and a strong belief in people, leaving a lasting impact across our organisation. This scholarship honours her legacy by continuing that work.
We are delighted to announce this year’s scholarship recipients:
Deanna Nabouche, Specialist Clinics and Mence Kebakoska, HITH.
“Kelly and I shared a passion for getting into project work, and she was someone I truly believed would help me get there. I still feel her presence guiding me. I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected for this scholarship; it means so much, and I hope to make her proud,” says Deanna Nabouche, Specialist Clinics, Northern Health.
Deanna was presented with her certificate by Carl McClure, National Sales Manager and Les Fleming, Customer Service from Bing Technologies.
“It was a privilege to have worked with Kelly for six months. She was incredibly organised, a strong advocate, and someone who made a lasting impression. We were deeply saddened by the news, and this scholarship is our way of honouring her legacy – by supporting others to grow, progress and follow in her footsteps,” said Les Fleming, Customer Service, Bing Technologies.
On International Administration Day, we thank all our administrative teams for their professionalism, dedication and invaluable contribution.
Our health service runs because of you. 💛
Scholarship Recipient Deanna Nabouche, with Kelly Luca’s family.
