A few more pre-comps
This is the group of people I spent 11 days with in early May as we toured the four-corners area of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah…
Yesterday’s clinical was fairly productive. I picked up two more pre-comps on the KUB, and I also learned how to operate the portable x-ray unit. I got a lot of procedures on Thursday, but I could have had even more. During my process of becoming a radiographer, I have discovered one interesting (but useless) fact. I’m glad I’m not in Human Resources. When I arrived at my clinical site yesterday morning, I was told I had to go take a drug test. That’s not a big deal, but we had to be drug screened before we started this program. I don’t guess that one bit of information like that can be transferred to someone else. I was also told that the huge stack of paperwork they gave me to complete for this site was the wrong stuff. They handed me another stack of paperwork to do. As I started looking at that stack, I noticed that it was part of what I had already done. The packets they gave me were even the SAME ones I turned in previously, complete with the completed tests and everything. I took it back to the HR department and turned it in. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to manage and maintain all that paperwork. Anyway…
I’m trying to start something a little different with my procedure log. In an effort to gain a better understanding of technique, I’m trying to note the kVp and mAs settings that the console is showing for the exams I’m participating in. When we are using automatic exposure control, which is most of the time, there are presets for the kVp, but the actual mAs that gets used will vary from patient to patient based on their size. Since all of my clinical experience so far has been with AEC consoles, I’m not getting a good grip on the technique used for most exams. I want to build a technique chart that will help me get a better understanding of this. The rest of my weekend, besides work, will be spent studying for my test on Monday…
Once upon a time, I thought I might enjoy HR…until I saw the MOUNDS of paperwork. The paperwork alone explains some of the attitudes I’ve encountered from HR personnel. :)
All of the exam rooms at my clinical site are equipped with AEC, however none of the techs use it. They set their own technique on every single exam they do. So, in an effort to better understand technique (mAs & kVp), I’ve started carrying a tiny notebook in my pocket. When I am assisting, I jot down the position and technique. It’s proven to be very helpful in providing me with baselines - starting last week, I’ve been setting my own techniques (fairly successfully) on most of my exams.
Sounds like things are going well. Keep up the great work!!
Hey enjoyed reading about your journey thru Rad School. I just started in September. I am in my second quarter. It’s a hospital based program. I like it, but I am a little discouraged. I failed a comp last quarter, and one instructors seem to think that it is indicative of how I will proceed the rest of the quarter. I want to do well, but like I said, I am feeling “out of my league” so to speak, and I have ALWAYS had a high self esteem, and believed that I could do ANYTHING. Any suggestions? I too am an “older” student and just about everyone in the class is between 18-27 years old.
My only suggestion is to just hang in there :)