The MRT program at Confederation College has definitely prepared me for working in my field. By completing an 11-month clinical placement after learning the basics and theory of radiography in school, you are getting some of the best hands-on experience possible with a great deal of supervision and guidance along the way. I felt very well-prepared to enter the workplace as an entry to practice MRT.
Why I Chose Confederation College
Confederation College was my first choice for a few reasons. It offered the program (MRT) that I was interested in, which also happened to have the highest accreditation through Accreditation Canada. It was also located in my hometown and offered clinical placement opportunities in the hospital that I was hoping to work at after graduation (TBRHSC).
How Confederation College Has Changed My life
Although the college was great, it was the MRT program, specifically, that changed my life in a very positive way. Coming into the program, I had many doubts on whether or not I would be able to successfully complete such a challenging program and become a registered Medical Radiation Technologist. Was I smart enough? Was I outgoing enough? Would I be able to handle the demands of a heavy workload? These were all very real questions going through my head in the beginning. However, the positive learning environment and support that you receive from not only your teachers (who are all excellent and some of the nicest people by the way), but also from your peers, helps you find confidence quickly and gives you the drive to excel.
Successfully completing the MRT program at Confederation College was the first big step towards a very big goal of mine, which was to become a registered MRT and work at TBRHSC in x-ray. This is a goal that I have now achieved!
I was also fortunate enough to accomplish some other milestones and honours along the way. I was able to complete my Canadian Aboriginal Relations Certificate, along with my Advanced Diploma in Medical Radiation Technology. One of my biggest honours was to have been nominated and to have won the 2019 Student Award through the Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences (OAMRS).
My Most Positive Experience or Memory of Confederation College
I had many positive experiences at Confederation College. I would have to say that meeting some of my now best friends was a big one. I know that we will be friends for life, no matter where life takes us. The small class size allows you to bond very closely to your classmates and teachers. You all share in the ups and downs and the stress that comes with a demanding program, but you also quickly develop a love for the profession and share in the enthusiasm and excitement with each milestone you achieve as a class in the program.
My Recollection of a Teacher Who Made a Difference
Your time in the program will be filled with funny stories and fond memories. Mine sure was. I will share the time when my teacher made a big difference and impacted how I would approach my 11-month clinical placement. It was the end of the semester and our last official Clin Lab III class before we spread our wings and put theory into practice in a clinical setting with real patients. I did very well on the last positioning test, but was still having reservations and some slight anxiety about entering clinical placement. My teacher must have sensed my trepidation and started a casual conversation about placement. After some chit-chat she said, 'I think you're ready'. That was all I needed to hear. For some reason, high marks didn't make me feel ready, but my teacher's simple vote of confidence did the trick and the agitation that I felt turned to excitement. That excitement never left me all throughout my 11 months of clinical placement. I enjoyed the daily challenges and the abundant opportunities to learn from some amazing x-ray technologists. That approach of being excited to learn and do well was what helped me gain a positive experience from my clinical placement at TBRHSC, and in turn, become a better tech.
My Job & Job Responsibilities
I am employed by Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) as an X-Ray Technologist. My job is to take x-rays while ensuring that the images are of the highest quality with the minimum amount of radiation exposure to the patient. Providing excellent patient care is central in everything I do. I strive to create a caring, safe, and friendly environment while providing diagnostic imaging services in my field. Being an MRT involves so much more than just taking x-rays in the department. MRTs play a vital part in the operating room and work closely with surgeons and other members of the surgical team to provide imaging through the use of fluoroscopy. We also work in endoscopy, urology, ambulatory care, fracture clinic, and provide portable x-rays throughout the hospital to areas like ICU, NICU, Emergency, etc.
What Brings Me the Greatest Satisfaction From My Job
The greatest satisfaction that I get is making a positive impact on the lives of my patients. I strive to ensure that their time in x-ray meets all of their expectations. I enjoy the daily interactions that I have with such a variety of patients and enjoy the challenge that comes with positioning each unique patient.
How Confederation College Has Prepared Me for Work in the Field
The MRT program at Confederation College has definitely prepared me for working in my field. By completing an 11-month clinical placement after learning the basics and theory of radiography in school, you are getting some of the best hands-on experience possible with a great deal of supervision and guidance along the way. I felt very well-prepared to enter the workplace as an entry to practice MRT.
My Advice for Someone Considering this Program or Career Path
Be prepared to work hard and invest your time into the program. It is challenging, but also very enjoyable. Take time to appreciate each accomplishment and recognize when you do well. Before you know it, you will be ready to enter clinical placement and learn more than you ever expected. Be flexible with what you learn in school. Not every patient is textbook.
The Most Sought-After Qualifications & Talents That Employers are Currently Seeking in this Field of Work
Enthusiasm, commitment, and positivity are traits that I feel an employer looks for in this field. Try to build your resume up as much as you can by continuing your education in a related field like interventional radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, Mammo, MRI, Ultrasound etc. It will help you get a job in the long run.
My Sense of the Current Job Market Conditions in my Field of Work
In Thunder Bay, the job market in the x-ray field is somewhat limited. It is very competitive and permanent casual x-ray will likely be the best you can get here. However, there are lots of opportunities in Thunder Bay for Ultrasound, Echocardiography, and MRI. Provincially, nationally, and internationally, there are many more job opportunities in x-ray. The majority of graduate MRT students are employed in under 6 months.
My Personal Success Highlights
- Recipient of the 2019 Student Award through the OAMRS
- Awarded a Certificate of Merit by the CAMRT for my research paper on Dual-Energy CT
- Recently obtained employment as a registered MRT at TBRHSC with plans to further my education in the field of MRI at Cambrian College in September 2019