Investing in our staff with career ladders in all aspects of Radiology

Many years ago I was offered the opportunity to become a Lead Technologist by Margaret Gniadek, RT.
Accepting the position led to an incredible journey of Supervisor, Manager and now Director over a span of 36 years. That one person and that one position changed my life and I will forever be grateful. During that journey, and still today, I am compelled to pay it forward and challenge others to look and act on the opportunity to expand their professional career. Below are just a few of our own staff members who have taken on the challenge in Mammography, Cat Scan, Vascular Interventional Radiology and as Clinical Coordinator.

Marcia Amaral RT, (R) B.S.

From Diagnostic Techologist to Mammographer

“Last May was a very exciting time in my life. I graduated from Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) with an Associate degree in Radiologic Technology and was ready to embark on finishing my degree with a BS in Breast Imaging at Regis College in Weston, Ma. As of now, I will be graduating in August with only one summer course left to complete. My experience at Regis was amazing. They really made the transition from QCC smooth and many of my previous courses were able to be transferred to my new degree. They were also ready and willing to help with anything I needed at any time to guarantee my success. While attending, I started clinical at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and finished here at UMMMC. Both hospitals were amazing, although I am partial to UMMMC having completed my clinical hours here and the staff really became my family. The talented technologists I worked with showed me the importance of patient care and accuracy in my trade and fostered my love for being a great mammographer. A sincere ‘thank you’ to UMMMC for giving me the opportunity to learn, grow and work under so many great people.”

Signed; Leah Berthiaume, RT (R)(M)

 

The Learning Experience, from Radiology Assistant to RT in Cat Scan

“After being accepted into the Radiology Technology program at Quinsigamond Community College.I started my journey in the field of Healthcare at UMass Memorial. I was given an opportunity of becoming  a Radiology Assistant in CAT Scan on the Memorial Campus while attending QCC,  It was a stepping stone in my career ambition of becoming a physician assistant. It afforded me the opportunity to learn a different modality in radiology and hands on experience in the area of patient care. It has been a terrific journey and a great experience working with such wonderful people at Memorial. Their support and training played a huge role in the transition to my current position as a Multi-Modality Radiology Technologist in CT, yet another stepping stone in my learning experience. Due to the flexibility in my schedule in CT and the continued support of Gail and the CT staff I have been able to continue my education and work toward my career goal to become a Physician Assistant.”

Signed; Emmanuel Boateng, RT (R)

 

Cross training with a great outcome, Diagnostic to IR

“I've always had an interest in the medical field and radiology always fascinated me. It's a field that has so many options and opportunities. I went to school at Worcester State for my Bachelors in Health Sciences. I then found a medical radiography program in Medford, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital/ Regis College. My clinical sites were St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Lahey Clinic. After graduating, I was hired as a Diagnostic Rad Tech, reporting to Kristy and Linda and worked in diagnostic imagining for about 4 years. I was trained and scheduled to cover Memorial, Westboro, Milford and Hahnemann sites. I enjoyed traveling around and learning different aspects of medical imaging. A position opened up in Angiography (IR) and they were willing to cross train. I applied and interviewed to learn more about it. I was selected and was excited to take on the challenge and cross train in Angio. It was a whole different experience. At first, it was very overwhelming and intimidating, but everyone has been so helpful. Darlene and Heather have taught me so much and have been great mentors. The doctors, nurses and mid levels have been very patient with the training process and have shared their knowledge with me as well. It was comforting to know that the whole department was there to help me out. This has been a great experience over all and I'm glad I made the move. The challenge expanded my knowledge and allowed my professional career to grow in a direction that I didn't know I could achieve. That's what I enjoy most with this field; every day is different and you're constantly learning.”

Signed; Shannon Avedian, RT (R)

 

From Staff Technologist to Clinical Coordinator

“I always knew that I would work in the medical field. In high school I was a volunteer at Day Kimball Hospital. They let me help out in many areas; I just didn’t know where I would fit in.  After High School I joined the Military and it wasn’t until I had my first ultrasound with my daughter that I knew where I belonged. I went to the local community college and took all the required classes to get into the Radiology Program at Quinsigamond Community College (QCC). I wanted to be in the hospital atmosphere so I became a phlebotomist.  I worked as a phlebotomist for 2 years while in the Radiology program. I graduated from the QCC program in 2005. I was a Staff Technologist for 4 years, with being interested in being a Clinical Coordinator early on in my career the opportunity came up and I took it.  I have been the Radiology Clinical Coordinator for 5 years and every year I learn something new.  I love my profession. Teaching the students is very rewarding. I am the Educator for the department, I teach CPR classes for the staff and I am also a fit tester. I work closely with the Leads in the department and offer any assistance to them with Sharepoint.  I have a great relationship with everyone including the nursing education department. I feel very privileged to be where I am today."

Signed; Michele Foley RT (R)

 

Kaitlyn's Story of Career Advancement

"In the spring of 2010 shortly after graduating from the University of Rhode Island, like most college graduates I was very unsure of what the next step might be for me. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, but my gut was telling me that something was missing and I might be looking for more. I knew that I would eventually like to further my education. Following many months of uncertainty and many hours of researching what I wanted to do next, I decided to apply for a Radiology Assistant position at UMASS Memorial-Hahnemann Campus. 

I was fortunate enough to be offered the position which I happily accepted. Going into my new position I knew I wanted to work in the medical field and only after a short time I knew that I wanted to work in Radiology. This position helped me to gain an abundance of knowledge where I had the opportunity to work with several technologists that love their career and have a strong passion with helping patients. These technologists were wonderful and they helped me tremendously by instilling confidence and knowledge by teaching me the basics of Radiology. The technologists at Hahnemann were very encouraging to have me apply to the Radiology Program at Quinsigamond Community College.  

After being accepted into the Radiologic Technologist Program I began working as a CT assistant at UMASS Memorial where I learned a lot of new and interesting information dealing with a different modality in Radiology. During this time, I was able to learn the basic knowledge of Radiology and learn the most important aspects of patient care. I felt this helped me develop the confidence in taking the next step and beginning my career as a Radiologic Technologist. This past Spring, I graduated from the Radiology Program and was fortunate to accept a position as Radiologic Technologist for UMASS Memorial. The past four months since I started my new career have been so exciting and I cannot wait for what the next day brings. Furthering my career and learning new modalities in Radiology is a great opportunity and I look forward to doing so in the future. Expanding my knowledge is something I always would like to continue to do. "

Signed; Kaitlyn Riley, RT