| Sunday, September 5, 2010 | |||
| NEWSRoom | |||
| 07/15/2010 | |||
Q&A with Eve Pedersen, Imaging Supervisor at UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
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Rate It! Q: How did you begin your career as a radiology professional? A: Growing up, I knew that I wanted to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I changed career plans a couple of times along the way—at one point, I wanted to be a lawyer, a pharmacist, and then, a radiologic technologist. I shadowed a radiographer at a hospital in my hometown and was immediately drawn to the field. I was thrilled when I was accepted to UNC's Radiologic Science program. A couple of years later, I began my career. Q: What kind of facility is UNC Health Care? A: I work at a large, academic medical center. We have five hospitals on our main campus with services ranging from prenatal to geriatric care. We have a new cancer hospital and are currently in the process of planning a new hospital as well as an outpatient imaging center. Q: Is it busy working at such a large medical center? A: Our facility is extremely busy. The fast-paced work environment can be hectic, but it makes the time go by quickly. We image outpatients, inpatients, emergency room and trauma patients, as well as pediatric patients. Q: When and how did you start at UNC Health Care? A: I began working at UNC Health Care in June of 2002. I rotated through the Radiology Department at UNC Hospitals as a radiography student. One of my clinical rotations was in CT at UNC and I enjoyed the work environment. They had a few openings when I graduated, so I applied, interviewed and was hired. I worked as a CT technologist for almost six years before I applied for and was promoted into an imaging supervisor position. Q: Typically, what are your day-to-day responsibilities as an imaging supervisor? A: I am responsible for a team of technologists who work in different imaging modalities, including diagnostic radiology, CT, and MRI. Our facility, the Ambulatory Care Center, also houses mammography and ultrasound departments and I am responsible for overseeing the daily operations of all of the imaging modalities. I have typical supervisory duties, including creating staff schedules, monitoring time and attendance, enforcing various hospital policies, corrective action processes, hiring, and the like. I rotate through the various departments to ensure that operations are running smoothly and respond appropriately as disruptions in service occur. Q: What do you like most about your job? What do you dislike most? A: I enjoy interacting with different modalities on a daily basis. I also enjoy understanding the "business" of healthcare and being involved in projects focused on expanding our department. I think what I dislike most is that it seems that patients sometimes get caught in the system—whether it's between the facility and their insurance company or within our organization. Patients need to be more educated when it comes to their healthcare. Q: Have you ever been involved in any research projects? A: I am not currently involved in any research projects, although when I was working in CT, we scanned a number of research patients. Perhaps the neatest research project involved the scanning of cadaver heads for neurosurgeons, who were evaluating a treatment method for sinus disease. Q: How has the role of radiology professionals changed over recent years? A: As technology has changed, so has the role of imaging professionals. Technological advancements in radiology have evolved into specialty modalities, such as CT and MRI, and these advancements cause technologists to become specialists in their respective modalities. In my institution, technologists typically work in one imaging modality, which is a change from past roles. Q: Do you have anything to share with your colleagues? A: As volumes increase and workflow processes evolve, technologists may get overwhelmed at the amount of work that is done on a daily basis. Technologists must remain grounded and remember that they are there to provide diagnostic, quality films, which are used to aid in diagnosis. Q: What is the most rewarding part about working in an academic facility like UNC Health Care? A: I enjoy watching technologists grow. Whether it is a new graduate just entering the field or a seasoned technologist working in a new modality, it is fascinating to witness someone learn and grow as a professional. Q: What do you think is the most important quality you need to possess as a radiology professional? A: The most important thing I have learned is to be patient. I actually gave a graduation speech last year and the topic of my speech was patience. You have to be patient with yourself, physicians, and coworkers, as well as your patients. Q: What advice do you have for others thinking of entering your specialty? A: I suggest gathering as much information as possible about the career. Interview radiography students to learn what school is like. Radiography programs are rigorous and demand time management skills. Shadow technologists so you have an idea of what a typical day can be like. Learn about the various areas of radiology—you can do many things as a radiologic technologist. Q: Do you think your previous position as a CT technologist added to your role today? A: I worked as a staff CT technologist for about three years before I decided to go to graduate school. Having clinical experience helped me better understand the concepts that I learned in school and I was able to apply those concepts in the workplace. The combination of my education and clinical experience helped prepare me for the position I currently hold. Q: If you could sum up your job in one word, what would it be and why? A: Rewarding. Sure the job can be hectic and stressful, but interacting with staff, physicians, and patients can be very rewarding. Knowing that you can do something to improve someone's care is very powerful. |
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