“I always knew I wanted to work in health care, but I was unsure exactly how “hands-on” I wanted to be. Diagnostic imaging was the perfect choice for me because it offered a balanced mix of patient interaction and independent work, depending on your chosen modality.

I grew up in northern Manitoba and knew I wanted to return to work in a northern community. After spending part of my clinical placement in Thompson, I knew I found where I wanted to work once I finished school.

The team environment here at Thompson General is amazing. Since it is a small city, you meet and get to know so many people. This makes it easy to communicate, collaborate, and lend a hand between all departments as no one is a stranger to you. Having the opportunity to complete my placement at Thompson General also made the transition into my current position much more comfortable because I already knew the team and the role.

A career in diagnostics continues to reward you with new and different experiences each day. There is so much learn, and there are many ways to grow your skills. I am currently expanding my knowledge in the CAMRT CT scanning training program and someday, I hope to pursue MRI training.

Knowing that I am making a difference in a patient’s hospital stay, their experience, and even their health outcomes is incredibly rewarding. There are so many opportunities in the north in diagnostics and in your personal life.

If you love adventure and exploring the outdoors and you have a strong work ethic, then the north is the place for you. Even if you didn’t grow up in the north, the community is so welcoming, which I think makes it easier to adjust to the northern way of life.”

“I hadn’t heard of medical radiation technology until I was looking into post-secondary opportunities, but once I learned more about it, I didn’t want to do anything else. I was drawn in by the opportunity to support patient care and the variety of paths my career could take, and it ended up being a perfect fit for me.

I started my career in X-ray at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg in 2009 and moved into CT in 2011. After 11 years in that role, I was ready for a change. I always wanted to work in women’s health, and I was interested in walking alongside patients on their journey from diagnosis to post-surgical imaging, so I decided to pursue mammography.

CT and mammography are two very different modalities, but I felt completely supported by my team throughout my transition. I was able to review my work with colleagues and management which has allowed me to improve my skills and feel comfortable in my role.

A mammogram is a very private examination, so I make sure to build a good rapport with my patients. A personal touch helps to calm their nerves and ensure that they are comfortable for me to capture high-quality images that will assist in screening and diagnosis.

Diagnostics offers so many opportunities to grow your skills and specialize in new areas. Mammography is such a rewarding area of practice, and I’m so glad I took the leap!”

“Being a Radiology Technologist is a great career. We do a lot more than just take pictures. Every day is different. We have the opportunity to see and do so many different things. It’s never boring and it’s always rewarding. I love helping people and for me that’s what it’s all about. There’s no better feeling than hearing how thankful or appreciative a patient is for your help. If you enjoy helping people and problem solving, this career is a good fit.”

“CT scans provide greater detail than your average x-ray, capturing images of organs, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the body. It’s fast-paced and you have an instant connection to the pathology. You get in there like a dirty shirt, it’s fascinating.

The thing about radiology is that there’s always something new and you can take your learning in different directions. You have to be willing to adapt and push yourself to improve. But you will find so much variety that it’s nearly impossible to feel stagnant!”