Episode Transcript
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(00:58):
Let's stop saying I can'tafford to go back to school.
The SRT gives over $500,000 inscholarship grants each year and
many go unclaimed.
Hello, my fellow radiologictechnologists, medical imaging professionals
and radiation therapists.
If you are a technologist or atherapist who's been in the profession
for five years or more andyou're thinking, is this it?
(01:22):
Maybe you're a recent graduateof a radiologic technology program
or radiation therapy program,any medical imaging program, and
you're wonder, what next?
Am I really going to still bepulling over patience or whatever
it is that you're doing atthis moment?
Will I be doing this foranother 10, 15, 20 years?
I want you all to lean inbecause today we're talking about
(01:44):
something nobody really breaksdown for you.
It's the perks of being anASRT member.
Now wait before you tune outand say, oh, another episode about
being an ASRT member.
This is not just a boring CEUcredits breakdown or why you should
join the srt.
I just came from doing apresentation at a really large education
(02:07):
conference and it was eyeopening, you guys, because I thought
that I was the only onestruggling with pivoting or had struggled
with pivoting in this profession.
After 20 plus years in thepresentation, there were over.
There were individuals whohave been in this profession for
over 20 years.
One gentleman has been inmedical imaging since the 1970s,
(02:28):
early 1970s, and he's stillworking, enjoying his career.
He's pivoted so much you all.
But there were so many thatcame up to me afterwards who are
still messaging me sayingthank you for talking about this
topic of pivoting, giving meideas of how I can pivot and move.
It's not so much everyone isburned out or in a toxic, toxic environment.
(02:52):
Some individuals realize thatmaybe you're about to be an empty
nester.
You no longer need thestability of working at a 9 to 5
or a Monday through Friday orat a facility close to home.
You can now travel.
You can now be a clinicalapplications technologist.
You can now go for thatleadership role because things are
(03:14):
changing in your life.
Things are going to look different.
But you didn't plan, youdidn't strategize.
You don't really have a planof how to use all of the skills you've
acquired.
You really don't know.
Now this episode is for thetired technologists and therapists,
the unsure, the underpaid, theoverworked, overlooked, and just
(03:37):
isn't sure how to pivotwithout Starting over or going broke
doing it.
I'm talking to you directly today.
So first let's talk about whatare perks.
A perk is a benefit you'realready entitled to, but most of
us never take advantage of it.
You may ask why.
The answer is because nobodyhas ever shown us how it works and
(04:00):
why it works.
It's going to be different today.
We're going to answer all ofthat, so stay tuned.
In our world of medicalimaging and radiation therapy, we
are trained to scan, to serve,to show up, not to strategize in
our careers.
I don't know, maybe I'm alone.
Let me know, you guys.
Am I the only one that was nottaught really to strategize?
(04:23):
And if you're still scanningfull time or whatever role you play
in medical imaging andradiation therapy, lifting patients,
burning out, unsure, you'reprobably leaving a whole career path
on the table.
You've racked up so manyskills, and this is what I found
out at my presentation, thatpeople had skills, I mean real skills,
(04:45):
you guys, that weremarketable, that they learned from
medical imaging.
Yes.
This is why this conversation matters.
These perks aren't fluff.
They are your pivot plan inyour medical imaging career.
They're your career leverage.
Especially if you can't affordto go back to school right now.
(05:05):
And let me just say, not beingable to afford to go back to school
is not always a financialburden for me.
When I was trying to go backto school for nuclear medicine, I
had a tragic family incident happen.
My father passed away.
He got sick first, which tookme out of school for a period of
time.
And I was never able to returnafter he was no longer sick and went
(05:29):
to sleep.
And for me, that was.
It took a lot out of me emotionally.
I could not afford to go backto school for months, for years.
It drained me.
Some of you maybe can relateto that.
You have pressures, you haveresponsibilities, people depending
on you.
And maybe it is financial.
We're going to talk about thattoday, how that burden can be eliminated.
(05:52):
But I just don't want you tothink about the cost always being
financial.
The cost can be your emotional state.
The cost can be what you takeaway from your family.
Maybe you're busy taking yourkids to practice, spending time with
your family because they'relittle only once, right?
Kids grow up so fast.
(06:13):
You're a caregiver for yourparents, for your in laws, you're
newly married, you just had a baby.
You cannot afford to do itright now.
So we're Going to talk aboutfive perks that could change your
career.
Let's get into it.
One thing about being an ASRteam member is the professional development
courses.
(06:34):
I'm getting into it myselfright now.
Being a member of a few years,I just think about some of the jobs
that I've had before.
If I would have had access bybeing a member then to some of these
courses, I wouldn't say Iprobably, I would not have maybe
struggled as much.
I mean, I'm just being honestwith you all.
Sometimes we don't always have access.
(06:56):
Even when we're put inpositions or given positions or attain
positions, we don't alwayshave access because sometimes the
people above us don't know togive us access.
They don't have access, sothey can't give us something they
don't know about.
Whereas being a member of thesrt, they know they create leaders.
(07:17):
We're not talking about CEcredits here, we're talking about
you need someone to teach youhow to lead a team, to run a department,
how to train yourself, how tomanage time.
The ASC ASRT offers thesecourses on communication, leadership,
time management, conflict resolution.
And that stuff actually helpsyou grow out of burnout.
(07:38):
Because when you know how toeven communicate with your team as
a colleague, as a coworker, itcan really make work enjoyable and
how you deal with even management.
If you're not in management,it can make you and help you to be
a better leader if you are not.
Everyone that we work with hasgood time management skills, right?
(08:00):
And we're not just talkingabout leaders, people that run departments.
Sometimes we work withindividuals in our department that
just don't manage time well.
It affects everyone.
And let's just talk aboutconflict resolution.
If everyone could take acourse on conflict resolution.
Even if you think you're thebest person at conflict resolution,
we can always get better, right?
So why does this matter?
(08:21):
These skills build credibility.
We all should want to be leaders.
If you're still pulling longshift, maybe 12 hour shifts and you're
wondering how to pivot withoutgoing back to school, I want you
to explore how the SRTprofessional development courses
can be the launchpad to asustainable and influential career
path.
(08:41):
Take for instance theLeadership Essentials series that
they have for their members.
It builds foundationalleadership skills.
What is it?
It is a comprehensive 10 partonline series designed to prepare
technologists for effectiveleadership roles.
Some of the topics covered aresupervision, competent communication,
(09:02):
employment, law.
I mean, that's something I'mgoing to tell you is so Important
to learn and project management.
That's a whole nother careerin itself, you guys.
Those are just some of thetopics it covers.
And why does this matter?
You may say, why would I want that?
Now I'm coming to the end ofmy career.
I don't know if I want to be aleader again.
Everyone should want todevelop leadership skills.
(09:26):
It matters because it equipsyou with the skills to lead teams,
to manage departments, tonavigate complex complexities of
healthcare leadership.
And wouldn't you say that youhave been asked to lead without even
being the type having thetitle of supervisor.
And just imagine how if youlearn these skills, maybe you're
(09:49):
not going into a leadershiprole at that job, but as you've gotten
into your career now you'rethinking down the road 10 years,
maybe there's a positionthat's at a corporate level, not
even patient care related,that these skills that you learn
in the Leadership Essentialsseries as an ASRT member just enhances
your professional credentialsand you get 11 CE credits upon completion.
(10:13):
I mean, we gotta get our CEcredits, right?
We might as well get them inthings that are going to help us
be strategic and use as alaunchpad later on.
So if you're someone that'sfive years into your profession,
think about this.
If you are going to have toget 24 CEU credits anyway, why not
use some of these ASRTmembership membership benefits and
(10:36):
use them to really, reallyenhance your professional career
down the road.
Practical applications.
It will help you maybetransition into roles like lead technologist
or department supervisor or administrator.
Gain confidence in handlingteam dynamics, conflict resolution,
strategic planning.
(10:57):
Earlier you heard me talkabout they have a section on project
management that is an amazingprofession that you can use this
skill.
Not only that, they needproject managers in imaging departments
all the time.
This is just a stepping stone.
Communication skills is partof this series.
It enhances interpersonal effectiveness.
What is it?
(11:17):
It's courses that focus onimproving verbal, non verbal and
written communication withinhealthcare settings.
How many times?
When we deal with patients, wesometimes need to use improving our
verbal conversation skillswith coworkers non verbal.
Say maybe your face saysexactly what you're thinking and
your face just does not needto say that, right?
(11:38):
And maybe we need tocommunicate with email.
We're not the best at it.
These are great skills.
They emphasize activelistening, empathy and clarity in
conveying information.
Why does it matter?
Effective communication iscritical for patient care.
Team collaboration andleadership reduces misunderstandings
and enhances patient satisfaction.
I'm going to tell you when Idid this presentation.
(12:00):
There were jobs that I showedeveryone in that room that totally
that these skills would help you.
That having these skills frombeing an SRT member and taking this
course would help you todefinitely be able to qualify for
these type of jobs that werenot patient care centered.
(12:20):
That many of them were remote jobs.
But you had to have some ofthese skills that these courses,
developmental, professionaldevelopmental courses are giving
you as an SRT member.
Oh my goodness.
And of course practical application.
They're going to help you justhow you interact with people in general.
Not only your patients,coworkers, but your family.
(12:41):
Right.
We all can communicate better.
Right.
The other other part of theseries is time management and project
coordination, maximizing efficiency.
What does it cover?
What is it?
It's a training module thatteaches prioritization, delegation
and effective workflow management.
It includes strategies forbalancing clinical duties with administrative
(13:03):
responsibilities.
Again, that project management.
That's whole nother levelright there.
And you're getting this inthese courses why it matters.
It enhances productivity andreduces burnout by promoting effective
time utilization.
It prepares you for roles thatrequire multitasking and project
(13:24):
oversight.
Project management is its own certification.
You're getting an introductioninto this.
You can have practicalapplication for this is coordinate
departmental projects oreducational programs.
Again, when I did this speechat this educational conference, some
of the jobs asked forindividuals who had certifications,
(13:46):
specialized trainingexperience with these things right
here that the ASRT membershipis giving you access to conflict
resolution and team building,fostering a collaborative environment.
What is it?
It's a course that providestools for managing workplace conflicts
and building cohesive teams.
It focuses on negotiation,meditation and consensus building
(14:08):
techniques.
That is a art to it.
If you have the credentialsand the experience and the know how
to pull people together,especially in a work environment
without being a leader orbeing a leader.
Oh my goodness.
You're going to be a valuableasset to the department.
You're also going to bebuilding a skill that many people
(14:29):
struggle with.
So if you're naturally likethis and you add this certification
because you are ASRT memberand you take this training, oh my
goodness.
You're going to influence workculture, enhance team performance
in a positive way.
And it's essential thatleaders have these type of skills.
Now another essential part ofthis series is strategic career advancement
(14:51):
without additional degrees.
So there's also a part of thisseries that for individuals that
say, well, I don't want to goback to school, but I want to have
some strategic career advancement.
So there's part of the seriesthere's gives you it gives you access
to a variety of courses thatbuild upon your existing experience
and credentials.
You get opportunities tospecialize in areas like education,
(15:13):
quality assurance, or administration.
And that matters because thisenables career growth without the
financial and time investmentof pursuing further degrees.
It recognizes your experienceand builds upon the skills you've
already acquired in yourclinical practice.
So many of you have so muchexperience, you just need these membership
(15:35):
benefits to help tap into them.
And now how can you makepractical application of this particular
part of the series?
In the ASRT membership, youcan even move into administrative
positions that focus oncompliance, accreditation, or policy
development.
There are so many ways you canuse this.
Another benefit to the ASRTmembership is career center and salary
(15:56):
tools.
You've been at your job for years.
You're loyal, but new hiresare coming in making more money than
you.
That is not uncommon.
Here's the hard truth.
Many of us don't get paid whatwe're worth.
You get paid what you ask for, right?
The ASRT salary estimator.
(16:17):
It shows you exactly what youshould be making in your modality,
your state and your experience.
Their resume builder and jobboard already done for you.
You could take that to HR today.
This perk alone can pay foryour membership tenfold.
You've dedicated years to your role.
Demonstrated unwavering commitment.
(16:39):
Yet it's disheartening to seenew technologists enter the field
with higher salaries.
But here is the truth.
Have you used the ASRT salaryestimator to know your worth?
I'm not talking about going onsocial media and seeing someone make
a video showing their check ofwhat they make.
When we started in the field,salaries are what they were.
(17:02):
Cost of living was what it was.
Have you compared your salaryagainst national averages for your
specific discipline, jobtitle, education level and state?
Even city?
Because just because it's thestate doesn't mean that matches your
city.
Have you identified potentialsalary disparities and areas for
negotiation?
(17:22):
Get this this data Accordingto the 2022 ASRT wage and Salary
Survey, the national meanannual compensation for full time
radiologic technologists is $77,000.
However, this figure variessignificantly based on location and
specialization.
California can top at anaverage of 114,000.
(17:44):
This is in 2002.
Nebraska could report as lowas 54,000.
Specializations like medicaldosimetry can demand averages of
131,000.
Understanding these figuresequips you with the knowledge to
approach salary discussions confidently.
Make use of the SRT job bank.
It's more than just a joblisting platform Resume Builder Job
(18:06):
Alerts Career Coaching look,if you have not touched your resume,
you don't know where it's at.
You haven't seen your resumein a while.
Telling you ASRT membershipbenefits alone for the salary the
salary, the Salary Estimatorand the Resume builder and Career
coaching is great.
These tools are designed tostreamline your job search and enhance
(18:28):
your professional presentation.
Take Action Advocate for yourself.
Arm yourself with the SalaryEstimator as an ASRT member and the
job bank.
It will position you toinitiate informed discussions with
your employer about compensation.
You'll be able to explore newopportunities that align with your
career goals and financial expectations.
(18:51):
You'll be able to leveragecareer coaching to refine your negotiation
skills and job search tactics.
Utilizing these ASRT resourcesisn't just about seeking new employment.
It's about recognizing yourvalue and ensuring your compensation
reflects your expertise and experience.
Now let's get on to the third point.
(19:11):
Leadership Academy andVolunteer Opportunities this one
is for you if you're thinkingI don't want to scam forever, but
I don't know what's next.
Have you been there?
Let me tell you what's next.
Visibility the SRT LeadershipAcademy trains you how to advocate,
speak, serve on committees andimplements change.
(19:33):
It gets your name in roomsthat can offer you many possibilities
and volunteering.
That's your network in motion.
You need a seat at the tableand the ASRT is one of those doors
that opens it.
You just have to walk in it.
Let's explore how the ASRT canbridge to new horizons.
There's the ASRT LeadershipAcademy Cultivating Future Leaders.
(19:57):
It's a structured programdesigned to equip medical imaging
and radiation therapyprofessionals with essential leadership
skills.
This is a six week onlinecourse which really delves into governance
and association management,how understanding the structure and
function of professionalorganizations really really getting
to the nitty gritty about itbecause we don't really know you
(20:18):
guys.
I'm telling you, most of usdon't know.
Strategic planning Learning toset goals and develop actionable
plans Legal and ethical issuesNavigating the complexities of healthcare
regulations Communication andleadership principles Enhancing interpersonal
skills for effective teammanagement Participants are expected
to dedicate two to four hoursper week to coursework, culminating
(20:42):
in a two day in person sessionthat solidifies learning and fosters
networking.
While the program does notgive you CE credits, it provides
invaluable experience forthose who are aiming to transition
into leadership roles withinthe profession.
I would love to know whereelse are you getting access to leadership
academies.
Then there's the volunteer opportunities.
(21:03):
You get to expand yourprofessional footprint.
Engaging in volunteer roleswith the SRT as an SRT member can
significantly broaden yourprofessional networking.
And again, governance committees.
You get to shape the directionof the profession by serving on various
committees.
Subject matter expert.
You get to contribute yourexpertise to develop educational
(21:26):
content and reviewprofessional standards.
You can say when you read thatbook or take that exam or hear somebody
that took it, you can lookproudly and say, I contributed to
that.
I put my stamp on that.
I was a part of that.
Advocacy roles.
You get to represent theprofession in legislative matters,
(21:46):
ensuring that voices oftechnologists are heard.
These roles not only allow youto give back to the community, but
enhance your resume.
Open new doors to career paths.
When was the last time youinvested in being in a room?
Not just clocking in for work,but showing up where the big conversations
about our profession are happening?
(22:06):
Just think about that for a moment.
A lot of technologists don'tattend conferences.
Not because they're notinterested, let's just get that straight.
But because the cost feels outof reach.
Between the travel.
Look, I just came back from a conference.
I know between travel, hotelsand registration, registration fees,
most technologists andtherapists, especially those supporting
(22:27):
families or who work prn, justcan't justify the expense.
And they end up missing out onthe very spaces where leadership,
mentorship and career changingconversations are happening.
But, but, but, but that.
You hear how excited my voiceis getting, right?
Because I got good news.
(22:47):
That's where the ASRTfoundation travel grant changes the
game.
Please, you guys.
This is like free money out there.
A membership has already paidyou back.
Think about this opportunity.
A travel grant.
This is just one of many.
It covers up to $3,000 in expenses.
So you can show up, you canconnect, you can grow without pulling
(23:10):
from your savings or pickingup extra shifts.
Come on.
$3,000 in expenses?
Whew.
It's not just about going to conferences.
It's about finally being inthe room where your next opportunity
might be waiting.
And I'm not gonna say might.
I'm gonna say will be waiting.
Cause I'm the connections.
What you come back with.
(23:30):
This foundation is amazing.
It supports those attendingSRT conferences with which are prime
spaces for networking,volunteering, speaking, and stepping
into leadership roles.
Even if money is tight, youcan still show up in the rooms that
grow your visibility in your career.
You may say, why does all this matter?
(23:52):
By participating in theLeadership Academy, the volunteer
opportunities, these travelgrants, you're just.
You're not just advancing yourcareer, you're contributing to the
evolution of this profession.
These experience can lead toincreased visibility, establishing
(24:12):
yourself as a leader orinfluencer in this field.
Professional growth.
You get to develop skills thatare transferable to various roles
beyond the clinical setting.
I need that to be a visual foryou all.
Networking.
You get to connect with likeminded professionals, people that
look like you, that have thesame daily struggles that's been
(24:36):
in a profession like you.
They've been unsure how tomake this pivot and turn, but they've
done it.
You need to be around peoplelike that and you do that.
You do that by the Leadership Academy.
Being an ASRT member,volunteering opportunities.
Leadership isn't just confinedto titles, y' all.
It's about initiative and impact.
The ASRT membership providesthat platform.
(24:59):
You bring the passion and commitment.
I want to talk about something else.
The four things.
Scholarships and grants.
Let's stop saying I can'tafford to go back to school.
The ASRT gives over $500,000in scholarship grants each year and
many go unclaimed.
If you want to to transitioninto education, quality applications,
even start teaching, thesescholarships can fund that shift
(25:23):
without you taking out loans.
In 2024 through 2025, over$400,022 was awarded in SRT scholarships
to 99 recipients, the highestamount to date.
The word is getting out there.
(26:14):
You want to be one of thoserecipients for the next go round.
I know you do.
I know you do.
They have scholarships atevery stage, whether you're entry
level for students toaccredited radiologic science programs
or professional levelscholarships for technologists pursuing
additional certifications and degrees.
Once you become an ASRTmember, the application process is
(26:37):
simple.
The awards can range from 500to $5,000 based on commitment, achievement
and financial need.
I'm going to tell you it's notjust scholarships, it's grants as
well.
Many in our profession don'ttake advantage of the SRT grants
and scholarships because weassume they're only for students
or think we don't qualify.
Others are simply just toooverwhelmed by their work schedule
(26:59):
to even do the research forwhat's available.
After years in the field, it'seasy to feel like growth means going
back to school and racking upmore debt.
But that's not always true.
The truth is, some of the mostvaluable scholarships are designed
specifically for working technologists.
In a Facebook group I'm in oneof the medical dosimetrists.
One of the medicaldosimetrists said nobody's Applied
(27:21):
for this single parentradiologist assistant scholarship.
Where is everyone at?
Wow, so many scholarships go unclaimed.
They're begging us as medicalimaging professionals to claim them.
We just haven't been taught tolook for them or believe we deserve
them.
But that changes today.
You get to number five.
Be an advocate at a state andfederal level if you.
(27:43):
If you want.
Many some of you live instates that don't require licensure
for imaging, radiationtherapy, or mri.
Guess what?
Anyone can be hired in privatefacilities to do your job.
That's not a warning.
It's actually happening.
And being an ASRT member canmake it easier for them to fight
(28:05):
for our profession.
No license equals lower pay.
No respect, more burnout.
This isn't just about you.
It's about us all.
So, advocacy at a state andfederal level.
Why does all of this that wejust talked about matter, especially
now?
Because you've worked hard.
You stayed loyal to theprofession of medical imaging and
radiation therapy.
You've shown up every shift.
But if you want to stopscanning by whatever age you want.
(28:29):
I'm not going to put an age onit so much.
But you get the point.
You gotta be strategic andstrategic earlier or right now.
You're not stuck.
You're not uninformed.
ASRT isn't just paying dues or money.
It's a career safety net.
It's your escape plan.
It's got so much to offer.
(28:50):
You can build a new pathwithout quitting your job, without
going into debt or startingfrom scratch.
But you have to use what'salready being built for you.
And it works.
So here's your challenge.
Log into the asrt.org websitetoday, sign up and become a member.
One year.
Give it a try.
Pick one of the perks I sharewith you in this podcast.
(29:10):
Just one.
If you're already a member,pick one that you've never used before.
Try it this week.
Give it at least 2 weeks or 30 days.
Becomes a habit then, right?
Message me, DM me, tag me.
Let me know which perk youchose and which perk surprised you
the most.
What was the result?
Remember, family, You've cometoo far to burnout now.
(29:31):
You didn't enter thisprofession just to scan until your
knees gave out or yourshoulder gave out.
You entered it to make a difference.
Now it's time to make one for yourself.
Until next time.
Again, if you're not a memberyet, now is the time to join.
Visit asrt.org BCEEN to learnmore and get started.
(29:51):
Thanks for hanging out with metoday on a couple of rad techs.
If this episode was helpful,be sure to share it with a coworker
and hit that follow button.
I'll see you next time.