Progress Bell, Travel Reimbursement and Main Reception Administrator
For Progress, the hospital feels like a “second home” and for the patients and their parents she assists, Progress sees them as her “extended family”. Progress has been working for the Trust in various guises since 1998.
Progress began as a Domestic Assistant and moved over to the main hospital from her role as a Helpdesk Controller in Barclay House in 2014. Progress is now a Travel Reimbursement and Main Reception Administrator and combines this role with volunteering for the charity as a Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Ambassador. Not content with just the working week, Progress is often seen at charity-organised events.
“I love giving up my weekends to do the charity work and have helped at Race for the Kids family run day and the Hyde Park Half Marathon in the last year”.
Commitment and passion
Progress is deeply committed to the hospital and explains what attracted her originally to seeking a position with the Trust. “I have a passion for helping children and with GOSH’s focus on specialist conditions I wanted to help those children with rare diseases in my own little way.”
Asked what she finds most rewarding about working within a hospital team, Progress is clear, it’s about cooperating as “one team”. Progress’ front desk role gives her constant access to the patient and parents, and the challenges, which they face. That’s why “building a relationship” with them is crucial as part of operating as a high performing team. The bond forged with some patient families is so strong that earlier in February some patients even came down to reception to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Progress, much to Progress’ delight.
Making a significant contribution
Progress is very clear why those contemplating a hospital career within the administrative and clerical sphere should consider GOSH as their first choice. “It’s the high level of care which the hospital provides and which everybody can make a contribution to, so that the children and the young people we care for feel happy and feel that their lives are not on hold.”
And finally, when asked what was the single most significant aspect that has been gleaned in her GOSH career, Progress believes that patience is vital.
“Be calm and professional at all times… and be passionate and committed to your role. You need to love what you’re doing.”
Interested in following in Progress' footsteps? Access our admin and clerical job opportunities page.