The last time I was around pictures like these,
it was of my own spine, because I have scoliosis.
But today, I’m here to talk about the people
who take these pictures, and do a lot of other
amazing things.
So, let’s get the SKiNNY on the Job.
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The radiologic technology AS degree at TCC
is one of the several options under the health
sciences metamajor.
Radiologic technologists perform medical imaging
exams, and administer radiation therapy treatments.
Being a radiologic technologist requires keeping
up with the latest technologies, and also
being able to work with patients.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the
field to grow by 9% in the next 10 years.
Radiologic technologist salaries can range
from $35,000 to about $80,000.
I’m here with Melody from Tallahassee Memorial
Hospital.
Melody, why did you choose to go into this
field?
For many reasons, but mainly just patient
care and being involved in people’s life
on an everyday basis.
Taking care of people, learning technology,
the learning curve is phenomenal; you don’t
get [that] in a whole lot of different careers
that are out there.
So you love technology and you love working
with people, and obviously healthcare, a passion
for healthcare right?
Absolutely!
So are those some of the common characteristics
that you see in people who go into this field?
I do.
I see a lot of people who have passion or
heart for patients in general, and just taking
care of people, and then again, learning all
of the technology that we have and it changes
all so often, so that’s something that I
need people to be interested in.
They need to feel the urge to get that education
and continue to learn every year, really.
You’ve got to enjoy learning because the
technology is going to be changing.
You’re not just going to learn something
once and be doing that for the rest of your
life necessarily, right?
Absolutely.
What are some of the growth opportunities
that you’re seeing in this field?
Radiologic technology has several growth opportunities.
Professional growth includes anywhere from
MRI, ultrasound, CT, NukeMed, radiation therapy;
it’s really just setting the platform for
what you want to do because there’s so much
out there.
Yeah when I think of a program like this I
just think of X-rays, so it’s really amazing
to hear about how many other things it can
lead to, so thank you so much Melody!
Absolutely!
Thank you!
I’m here with Jenni, a graduate of TCC.
Jenni, why did you go into this program?
The two year degree appealed to me.
That was a good option, versus the four year
degree.
My mom was a nurse, so I knew I didn’t want
to be a nurse, so I chose radiology.
Awesome!
So what do you love about the work that you’re
doing now in the field?
I work for the VA, so serving the veterans
is my favorite part.
Awesome, ad what are you going to be showing
me today?
I’m going to show you how to do some lumbar
spine X-rays.
Alright, cool!
Let’s go!
Alright!
Alright, now on Tiffany we’re going to be
doing some lumbar X-rays.
Communication with a patient is very important
in radiology, so what we’re going to have
her do is sit down on the table, and you’re
going to lay flat on your back.
So today we’re going to get three pictures
of your lumbar spine.
And I imagine communication is really important
too because, typically, when you’re on a
table like this, you’re kind of scared,
you’re not really sure what any of this
is, and you’re dealing with some pretty
scary stuff sometimes, I’m sure it helps
to know what’s happening.
Yeah, especially after injury patients are
really scared, so you try to talk to them
as much as you can and comfort them as much
as you can.
What I’m going to do is I’m going to tell
my patient now that I’m going to feel on
her hip and we’ll center.
What is this line, this red line right here?
That is where we’re centered.
So, that will give us a good picture.
Alright, so she’s centered up and ready
to go, so we’ll just walk around the corner,
tell her to hold her breath.
Alright!
Hold your breath.
So this is a lumbar spine series, this is
what we just took on our patient.
So we have four different views of the lumbar
spine, and we’ll get these to the doctor
and they’ll get a report to the patient.
Awesome, then you’re off to take another
X-ray right?
I’ve got patients waiting on me now.
Thank you so much!
So if you have an interest in constantly learning
about technology, a passion for healthcare,
and a desire to work with people, this could
be a great career for you.
To learn more, talk to your advisor or visit
the TCC website.
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