A Modest Proposal
I would like to propose to the powers that be, a new competency requirement for aspiring radiologic technologists during their course of study. Since I have completed this competency many times during my clinical experiences, I also want to be the first student to claim proficiency in this procedure. The title of this master competency will be Babysitting.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been involved in an exam where a mother or father showed up with ‘extra’ kids. As we all know, we don’t want anyone in the exam room that doesn’t have to be there for obvious reasons, especially in the case of children. At my clinical site on Tuesday, a mother brought in her one-month old son for a cystogram. We usually put a lead apron on the mother and let her stay in the room and assist whenever possible. This particular mother also brought her four-year old son along for the ride. I knew, as soon as I saw the situation, that I would not be assisting in the study in any capacity greater than sitting in the hallway with the four-year old.
In order to complete this competency, the student must show proficiency in the following:
1. Establish communications with the child by getting on your knees and introducing yourself at eye level.
2. Explain to the mother that you want to stay with her child somewhere outside of the examination room.
3. Successfully separate the child from his mother with minimal kicking and screaming (the child’s kicking and screaming should also be minimal).
4. Provide adequate entertainment for the child during his absence from his mother by finding something interesting for him to play with. (Items should not include enema tips, rubber gloves, empty contrast bottles, needles, lead markers, dosimiters, or any other items that could induce death in a small child.)
5. Allow the child to step all over your pristine white shoes without complaint.
6. Keep the child from wandering into any mammography exams.
7. When the mother returns, comfort her by telling her how much fun you had during your babysitting experience.
This comp isn’t as easy as it seems :)
I would fail that comp every single time. Especially step 7.