Tri-Point Career Orientation Jennifer Weaver RPA/RA RT(R) Breast Care Resource Navigator

About Me: Jennifer Weaver High School: Tri-Point Class of 2003 Coursework: Chemistry, Statistics, Physics, AP Biology Extra Curricular: Student Counsel, volleyball, softball, KCC Health Camp, and I worked at the nursing home in Piper City I KNEW I WANTED TO PRESUE SOMETHING MEDICAL IN HIGH SCHOOL

After graduation: I attended Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Went there with the intention of pursing nursing I had the general pre-requisite course load with an emphasis in biology, While home in the summers, I would always take a summer class at KCC After acceptance into the nursing program, realized it was not for me.

I changed from Nursing to Radiology

Radiology: I attended KCC’s radiographer program. This required time for lecture, lab, and clinicals. Program’s length is 2.5 years. Each student is placed in a clinical site to gain on the job experience. (24 hours/week) Lab hours (4 hours a week) Lecture hours (8-10 hours/week) Main coursework is focused on anatomy and physics.

Job Responsibilities Provide diagnostic images for the radiologist Provide care and comfort to your patients Limit and practice radiation protection

Boards: ARRT › American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (this is the base exam for radiology) CBRPA › Certified Board Radiology Practitioner Assistant RRA › Resisted Radiologist Assistant Each state will have their own certification as well. Every time you advance your career in radiology, a board exam is in your future! Every branch I just listed previously, will have a board exam. Some will require further schooling some just on the job training. Having the radiographer board completed is the first step. (x-ray tech)

I moved to St. Louis and took a job at St. Anthony’s Medical Center I lived there for 3 years I wanted to advance my education So I investigated the possibilities… After Graduation I left town..

This was a good change for me! Nuclear Medicine Radiation Therapy Ultrasound Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Cardiovascular Interventional Mammography Computed Tomography Radiation Therapy Dosimetry Sales Radiology Practitioner Assistant/Radiology Assistant Radiologist (M.D.) The thing that is so great about radiology is the diversity that comes with it. There are so many different avenues that branch off of radiology….its a matter of where and how far you want to go.

Radiology Practitioner Assistant/Radiologist Assistant This is a new profession to the medical field—1970 You work closely with the radiologist Preforming duties that the radiologist does him/herself Constructing preliminary reports for radiographic exams Preforming minimally invasive interventional examinations You are the advocate for the patient

RPA/RA There are currently 9 schools in the country that enroll students for the profession Classes are small and course load is intense I went to school at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. The first graduating class was in 1996

Weber State University RPA/RA program is a 2 ½ year program Must find a radiology group as your preceptor He/She will provide you OTJ training, working directly under them Online courses are also completed during this time, as well as trips to the university to complete labs and presentations

Interventional Examinations Nephrostogram tube placement/exchange Myelogram Lumbar Puncture Voiding Cystourethrograms Intravenous Pyelogram Upper Gastrointestinal Exams Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Lower Gastrointestinal Exams Vascular Examinations IVC filter placement Paracentesis Biopsies Lung, renal, hepatic, osseous, ect

Outlook for the RPA/RA profession An average yearly salary for radiographers: $40,000-$50,000 Average yearly salary for RPA/RA: $86,000-$103,000 RPA/RA are specialty trained vs. a PA. Specialty trained in radiology, this is what us unique in medicine. With the growing number of mid-level providers, there is and will be an increasing demand for the RPA/RAs The profession is relatively new to the medical world, so radiology groups can be leery. However, the response has been positive in my situation.

Radiology Fun Facts Babies are born with how many bones? Adults have how many bones? Number of bones that are in the hand…. Number of bones that are in the feet….