Tammy Jones from Narromine has been awarded Staff Member of the Year by the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) for her dedicated service and trailblazing approach.

She received the award at a gala dinner in Dubbo on 22 August. 

"When I got the email last month saying I made it to the finals I was gobsmacked," Ms Jones said

"And then when they picked me on the night I couldn't believe it. I asked the lady sitting next to me if they actually said my name." 

The support services manager was awarded for her efforts in putting together a managers' startup package that features the contacts for all the healthcare staff in Western NSW that a manager could ask for. 

Ms Jones has been working at the Narromine Health Service for the past 12 years, and has been in her current role for the last three years. 

"I'm in charge of the non-medical end of the hospital. That means the cleaners, kitchen, security and making sure the patients get all the right nutrition," she said.

We've got some great support service staff. We get a lot of compliments at our little hospital. People say it's the cleanest they have ever seen." 

Growing up, she watched her Nan work at the hospital too. 

"When I was little I used to always say I wanted to grow up and work at the hospital like my nanny and here I am." 

Another reason that drove Ms Jones towards a career in healthcare was the stability.

"I'd worked casual and seasonal jobs all my life. So when I found out they were looking for workers, I went for it," she said. 

The supportive staff around her makes the job pleasant as well. 

"We've got the best manager anyone could ask for. He is supportive and encouraging. He doesn't care who you are or where you come from; he's going to treat you the same," she told The Western Plains App.

Ms Jones says working in healthcare can be rewarding. 

"I enjoy the comments and compliments we get from the patients. And I like to know that we made a difference because we get a lot of patients from Dubbo who don't have family this way. It's a really good feeling." 

The biggest challenge for the staff at the Narromine Health Service was when there was a staff shortage of doctors. 

Luckily, Narromine Hospital is now back at full house.

"They're here every day of the week and they're the most beautiful doctors you could come across," said Ms Jones.

She has not yet had the chance to hang up her award. 

"I've been taking it around with me," she joked. 

At the awards ceremony, 18 different teams, projects and individual categories received a certificate to commemorate their efforts.