Q: What's a typical workday like for you?
A: My day is split between being a technologist and a clinic coordinator. I have early morning appointments for bone density scans, many with organ transplant patients who take immunosuppressants that keep their bodies from rejecting the organs but also make their bones fragile. I also schedule patients, prepare their charts, measure their vital signs, give them instructions and prepare bone density reports for physicians.
Q: How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?
A: One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. By performing scans and educating patients about supplemental calcium intake, exercise and diet, I do my part in the prevention of fractures and osteoporosis.
Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
A: I interact with patients, providers, nurses and other healthcare professionals, including physicians outside the hospital. Patients can range from 10-year-olds with growth hormone deficiency to 90-year-olds. The largest group of patients is postmenopausal women, who are at greatest risk for bone loss.
Q: Why did you become a radiologic technologist?
A: I was a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for 17 years, and that work piqued my interest in a healthcare career. I also enjoy technology and wanted the challenge of keeping up with technological changes. I received my degree from Century College, where I now teach bone densitometry.
