When asked why I enjoy being a Radiology technologist, a whirlwind of words and phrases came to mind. Had I been asked a couple years ago where I’d be now, I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be working in pediatrics; now, I can’t imagine working with any other group of patients.
I take pride in being part of a great organization and working with great co-workers who are very knowledgeable and simply amazing at what they do. As techs, we are constantly learning new and different ways to improve what we do, both for ourselves as well as for the patients we take care of. For me personally, I enjoy constantly challenging myself to be better as well as learning new skills, techniques or even more knowledge, all of which we are fully immersed in at Cincinnati Children’s.
There is no greater feeling in this world quite like the feeling of knowing that I can do something as simple as slowing down a little during an exam and how much of a difference that can make for concerned patients or parents. There are so many other things that I can do as a technologist that can make a huge difference for a patient and their family. Things like: a kind word, going out of my way to get a warm blanket, manipulating our equipment opposed to moving a patient’s broken arm and causing them more pain, a reassurance that we’re going to take great care of someone, or even giving a sticker to someone.
As technologists, we don’t necessarily spend a lot of time with each patient, but what we do in those short 5-10 minutes can drastically change the outcome for a patient, both positively or negatively. For instance, I might be able to put a smile on a frowning face and that could be the only smile a patient has all day, or when a patient gives you a hug after an x-ray and his parents are grateful that you were simply personable with him and treated him like a person, not a medical record number. It’s an indescribable feeling for me.
Contributed by Brandon Jensen (RT-R) and edited by Glenn Miñano, BFA.
Glenn Miñano is a media specialist in the Department of Radiology, providing graphic design, photography, printing, video services, and administration of the department’s online properties. His works have been published in several medical articles, such as the American Journal of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound. He has been providing these services to the Radiology Department since 1996.
