Hometown: I was born and raised in Middletown and now reside in Franklin.
Job Title: CT Technologist
Where do you work: I work at Atrium Medical Center in the Medical Imaging Department
Describe what your day is like/what you do: As a CT technologist, I am responsible for multiple things. I run the computed tomography scanners that take the X-rays of the patients. I also collect histories from the patients that is pertinent for the exams to relay for the radiologists reading their images. I start IVs, help transfer and position them on the tables for exams in specific ways that can eliminate the dosage of radiation they will receive. Throughout all of these responsibilities, I am doing my best patient care and aiming to take the best pictures in order to help diagnose internal and external injuries, as well as cancers and diseases. I see my purpose as to try to give the most compassion and care for the patients in their most stressful and life threatening times.
What inspired you to get into health care? What inspired me to get into health care was honestly kind of random for me. I had changed majors in college two times previously before choosing radiology. I always knew I had an interest in anatomy and physiology from taking science classes throughout my schooling, but never paid attention to my own thoughts! Now I am so happy I chose a field with many opportunities for growth. I have started as a general X-ray technologist, progressed to a CT technologist, as well as having experience as an MRI technologist.
Health Care Hero: ‘I really love my job’
What's a memorable experience you've had in health care? A memorable experience for me would be really hard to pinpoint because there has been so many with patients and their families. Patients are so grateful to just receive the slightest amount of kindness and caring from medical professionals. By giving someone a warm blanket at the end of my test makes all the difference in trying to make their hospital stay as comfortable as possible.
Health Care Hero: ‘I became a nurse to make a difference’
What do you want readers to know about your job right now? What I want readers to know is that all of medical imaging is also in the front line. Great respect definitely go out to the nurses who care for critically ill patients around the clock, but we are often overlooked. Although some of our tests are not long with the patients, we still make an impact on our interactions with them. Our short contacts with patients can become extremely emotional and personal. They are only sent to us because they have a problem such as an broken bone, internal problems, or a mass that they are trying to see if it is cancerous or not. I am the first one to see those images and even if I am able to see a negative outcome for the patient, I have to continue to smile and stay positive until the doctors can relay the results of the tests to them. That is probably the hardest part is continuing to smile for the patients despite their worst nightmares potentially coming true.