I chose to job shadow a Radiology Technician for my Senior Exhibition Project. The medical field has always been of interest to me. After discussions with my aunt and uncle, who are both Radiology Technicians, I chose to research this particular area.
My community mentor was Renee Barnett. She is a Radiology Technician at San Juan Regional Medical Center. Ms. Barnett was recommended to me by a friend who job shadowed her in 2013. She was impressed with her knowledge and willingness to educate her. Ms. Barnett answered my questions and explained procedures as we worked the night shift. She also shared the requirements needed in becoming a Radiology Technician.
For my Senior Exhibition Project I requested to Job Shadow in the Radiology Department at San Juan Regional Medical Center. After a required orientation and health screening I was granted the opportunity to observe in the Radiology Department. After requesting Ms. Barnett I was allowed to shadow her. I was granted the opportunity to observe in this department. I began at San Juan Regional on June 17, 2014. Ms. Barnett works the evening shift and occasionally the early morning shifts. I chose to work the evening shift with her.
The first day that I arrived at the hospital I wasn’t sure what to expect. The staff was nice and welcomed me in as an Observation Student. I was able to help the technicians and surgical doctors in the ICU. One evening a gentleman was brought into the ICU with intense head trauma, and had just undergone brain surgery. We were required to take a CT- Scan on his brain. I was instructed to help lift him off of his stretcher and onto the CT bed. I had to lift his head while the rest of the doctors and techs lifted the rest of his body. It was quite the experience. The second night that I went into the hospital there were many CT-Scans that were performed. The first patient was a man that had deep cuts and slashes to his face. The second patient was an elderly woman that previously had a stroke and we did a CT on her head.
The Essay on Radiology: Medical Imaging and Radiologist Diagnostic
The name of my career is radiology diagnostic. The reason why I am studying this career is because it involves technology. The second reason why I am studying this career is because it is in the medical field and I want to be some sort of doctor. My last reason for studying this career is because of the salary. There where three pioneers in the United States, John Wild a surgeon, George Ludwig an ...
The third patient was a man that was in a coma in the ICU and we did a CT and MRI on him. On another evening a gentleman was brought in that was experiencing chest pains so we performed a CT on his chest and abdomen. The second patient was a pregnant woman that came in for an ultrasound. The third CT was on an elderly man that had broken ribs and a fractured pelvis. Our first patient the fourth night was a woman that came in for a CT on her chest because she was experiencing chest pains and was having shortness of breath. Our second patient was a man that was experiencing head pain and we performed a CT on his head. Our third patient was a man that was experiencing stomach pain so we performed a CT on his abdomen.
The fifth night was pretty intense. Our first patient was a girl that was suicidal and tried overdosing on Benadryl. We performed a CT on her head. Our second patient was a woman with stomach and chest pain, we performed a CT on her abdomen and we determined that she had a massive tumor that was pushing her organs up into her chest. Our third patient was an ICU patient that was in a traumatic car accident. My most intense night was when four patients died while getting their CT- Scans. There were two patients that died while getting their CT- Scans. Our first patient was a man that was supposed to be getting a CT on his chest. He went into cardiac arrest and was given CPR but died. Our second patient was a man that was experiencing heart problems and while getting his CT his aorta burst.
Our third patient was a man that had chest pains and lung problems. Our fourth patient was a man that was experiencing neck pains and got a CT and an MRI. Each of them died that evening. One of the calmer evenings was when a woman was brought in that was assaulted by her boyfriend and had a CT performed on head for potential head trauma. Our second patient was a man with dental pain, he had a CT on his face/head. Our third patient was a man with chest and abdomen pain. He received a CT on his abdomen and chest. On the eighth night our first patient was a woman that came in for abdominal pain, she received a CT on her abdomen. Our second patient was a man that came in for chest pains, he received a CT on his chest. Our third patient was a baby that was having seizures, we performed a CT on his head.
The Essay on Care of a Patient in Acute Pain from a Total Knee Replacement Jahaira Melendez
Nursing care after a total knee replacement is very essential in promoting a speedy and safe recovery for a patient. In an attempt to replicate the knee’s natural ability to roll and glide as it bends by cutting away damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with an artificial joint, acute pain following the procedure can be unbearable. In assisting the patient in controlling the pain would only ...
While job shadowing at San Juan Regional I learned how to run and operate the radiology equipment, how to take a CT-Scan, how to take an X-ray and how to insert the x-ray film into the x-ray machine. A Radiology Technician performs imaging of the human body for diagnosis or treating medical problems. Radiology Technicians can work in hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories and in private practice. These technicians operate equipment that include Xray, mammography, CAT, and positron emission tomography scan devices. The annual salary for a Radiology Technician is approximately $54,620. The projected growth is 21%. For my three Research Summaries I chose 1).
What it takes to become a Radiology Technician-Educational Requirements 2).
The annual wages for Radiology Technicians 3).
Occupational Opportunities,
The 10 highest paying States for Radiology Technicians including Opportunities and Options. I chose these research topics because I feel it is important to know what the requirements are to become a Radiology Technician, and what types of schooling and education required to achieve this career. It is also important to know what the annual wages are for Radiology Technicians and the potential for growth in this field. I also included which states, cities or countries pay the most, and have the best ratings and reviews.
Choosing to job shadow a Radiology Technician was beneficial in deciding on a career in this field. I plan to pursue this career after high school graduation. My plans are to begin my basics at San Juan College and finish the second year at the Doña Ana Branch at New Mexico State University.
The Essay on Career Plan Building Activity: Work Culture Preferences
The result from the Career Interests Profiler was that I was realistic, conventional, and artistic. It is interesting under the realistic list, it states “require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.” I do like to work outside with our animals and I do not like to work closely with others but I am involved with a lot of paperwork as an accountant. ...
