How ASRT’s Community & Networking Changed My Career

Networking and leadership are absolutely crucial in the world of medical imaging, and today, I'm diving into just how the ASRT community can supercharge your career. I’ll share my own journey of feeling a bit lost and disconnected, only to find my groove again by re-engaging with ASRT and tapping into the power of professional connections. You might think networking is just about swapping business cards and making small talk at boring conferences, but let me tell you, it’s so much more! We're talking real support, mentorship, and discovering opportunities you didn’t even know were out there. So, if you're feeling a bit adrift in your career, stick around—because I’m about to show you how to navigate these waters like a pro and truly thrive!

Let’s get real for a sec. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions at work, you’re not alone. I hit that wall hard when I realized I wasn’t just missing out on career advancements – I was missing the connections that could make my job so much more fulfilling. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I needed to dive back into the community and re-engage with the SRT (Society of Radiologic Technologists). This episode is all about how networking and community support can literally change the trajectory of your career in medical imaging. Spoiler alert: It's not just about collecting CE credits!

We’re chatting about the real deal of networking – it’s not just small talk at conferences or exchanging business cards. It’s about building genuine relationships and sharing experiences with people who understand the unique challenges we face in the imaging world. We share some killer stories about how networking has led to incredible opportunities and problem-solving in real-world situations. Like that time my department was floundering with scheduling chaos until we connected with another facility that had it all figured out. One conversation changed everything, and it reminded me just how powerful our community can be.

And let’s not forget mentorship! The ASRT community isn’t just a place to get your CE credits; they’re all about shaping the next generation of leaders in medical imaging. We explore the various paths you can take, from local affiliate programs to national governance opportunities, all designed to help you grow and find your niche in the field. If you’ve been feeling stuck or disconnected, this is your call to action: jump back into the SRT community. Your next career breakthrough could just be a conversation away. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the knowledge you gain; it’s about the community you build!

Takeaways:

• Networking in the ASRT community opens doors to mentorship and leadership opportunities you never knew existed!
• Feeling stuck in your career? Engaging with the ASRT might just be the spark you need to reignite your passion for medical imaging.
• The ASRT isn’t just about CE credits; it’s about building connections that can transform your career trajectory.
• Mentorship is key! Seek out seasoned professionals in the ASRT community to guide your journey in the imaging field.

Links referenced in this episode:

• ASRT.org

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Episode Transcript

(00:58):
That's when it hit me.
I wasn't just missingopportunities, I was missing connection.
So I went back to asrt reengaged with the community and everything
shifted for me.
When was the last time youfelt truly supported in your career,
not just at work, but by aprofessional community that gets
you.
If you're like most imagingprofessionals, your day is filled

(01:20):
with back to back exams,troubleshooting equipment, and keeping
patients calm.
And somewhere in all thatchaos, it's easy to feel isolated.
But here's the thing.
You don't have to navigatethis profession alone.
In today's episode of A Coupleof Rad Techs, we're talking about
why networking and leadershipmatter in medical imaging and how

(01:42):
the SRT community can changeyour career path, your confidence
and your opportunities.
Let me take you back to a timein my career when I felt like I was
just coasting.
You guys.
I was a member of the srt, butI wasn't taking full advantage of
my membership.
Early on, I was active.
I did the direct readings, Istayed engaged with my colleagues

(02:05):
at work, and I felt like I hada pulse on what was happening in
our profession.
But over time, life and workgot busy, right?
You can relate.
And I started slipping.
I stopped doing the direct readings.
I wasn't checking in on SRT updates.
I thought I was fine until Irealized I was scrambling to find

(02:27):
quality CE credits.
I was out of the loop onprofessional changes and had no idea
that roles like radiologistassistant or informatics focused
imaging careers even existed.
I mean, I heard aboutradiologist assistant 20 years ago
when I first started out inthe field, but it was just chatter

(02:48):
and I didn't keep my ear tothe ground.
That's when it hit me.
I wasn't just missingopportunities, I was missing connection.
So I went back to asrt, reengaged with the community and everything
shifted for me.
I found support, mentorship,and resources that helped me step
back into leadership andprofessional growth.

(03:10):
So what is the power ofprofessional networking?
We're gonna break it down here.
Networking isn't about handingout business cards or asking someone
to scan your QR code or, oradding them to your email list or
making small talk at conferences.
It's about connection.
When you network through asrt.
A great way for those whostruggle to network is NETworking

(03:33):
through the SRT.
You meet people who get whatyou go through.
The burnout, back to backshifts, workplace politics, right?
Not being able to navigate thesalary negotiation.
You hear how other departmentsare solving the same problems you're
facing.
You discover jobs, leadershipOpportunities and mentorships you've

(03:55):
never even known existed.
In my case, it's how I havefilled my podcast.

(04:36):
A couple of rad texts with topguests who speak directly to the
realities of the medicalimaging and radiation therapy profession.
Let me give you an example.
A department I worked in wasstruggling with with how they move
their patients strategicallythroughout and in a timely manner.
Our wait times were long, ourschedule was chaotic, and morale

(04:57):
was dropping.
Through networking at an SRTvirtual event, my manager was able
to connect with a CTsupervisor at a larger trauma hospital
who had implemented a timeblocking strategy to streamline urgent
versus routine scans.
They touched bases, and aftera few calls and sharing workflows,

(05:17):
we were able to apply the sameconcept in our department with real
success.
The morale went up, you guys.
It was a lifesaver.
That's just one of the powersof networking.
Sometimes one conversation cansave you months, years of stress,
and lead to real solutions.
And let's not forget mentorship.

(05:38):
Some of the most importantadvice I've ever received didn't
come from a textbook.
It came from seasonedtechnologists in the ASRT community
who had walked the road aheadof me.
They didn't just help metroubleshoot problems.
They helped me grow into abetter leader, communicator, and
educator.
So what does the ASRT'sleadership pipeline look like?

(05:58):
Here's something you might not know.
ASRT doesn't just offer CE credits.
They actually develop leaders.
And they've been doing it for decades.
So I know that's like a mindshift change for many of us.
Right?
Because we started school, weknew about the srt, but we just knew
that's a good way to trackyour CE credits, and it's a good

(06:20):
way to get some directreadings and keep up with your education.
But developing leaders?
Oh, my goodness.
They have state affiliateprograms where you can get involved
locally.
Many technologists begin theirleadership journey by joining their
state societies.
I'm a member of my state society.
I get to practice being a speaker.
I.
I get to practicenegotiations, learning new, updated

(06:43):
things about my profession.
Yeah.
Often leading to speakingopportunities or organizing community
events.
I even get to get some cool CEcredits done as well.
You have volunteer committeeswith the srt.
These shape the direction ofthe profession.
These aren't just meetings.
They're think tanks whereprofessionals like you and I, actual

(07:03):
technologists.
You guys decide what issuesneed attention, from legislation
to technology advancements.
There are also mentorshipprograms that pair you with experienced
professionals, whether you'rejust starting out or looking to transition
into Education or management,you'll find someone who's walked
the path and is willing toguide you.

(07:23):
I hear all the time from mysocial media community, oh my goodness.
I don't know who I can reachout to.
Maybe they feel like thetechnologists that they work with
are not sharing all the information.
They may not know you guys,but being a member of the SRT can
guide you to the rightmentors, which can help you prepare

(07:47):
your career trajectory.
And that's important to havethe right mentor that can help you
guide your career.
Because most of us sometimesdon't even know where we want to
go.
We don't know what thisprofession has to offer.
So when we do get the rightmentor and we're in a situation where
there are options for us tochoose from different mentors based
on our strengths and our goalsin the imaging profession, I'm going

(08:10):
to tell you, it's just goingto be gold.
Now I want to go back tovolunteer committees.
Some people say, well, I don'thave time to even just work and take
care of my own things.
This is really cool about thevolunteer communities.
You're not required to giveXYZ amount of time.
They offer options to you.
You can choose, you can sayyes, you can say no.

(08:30):
This is amazing.
Your state affiliate programs.
Some people wonder, well, Idon't have time to go to all of these
meetings.
I probably have been to maybetwo meetings in our whole year and
that was just last year in 2024.
And I got so much from thosetwo meetings, got so many connections.
I really enjoyed myself.
I learned a lot.

(08:51):
And I just know the local andstate affiliate programs is a great
way to start to get your feetwet, to learn what it looks like
on a larger scale, to getinvolved on a smaller scale now.
Fourth, governanceopportunities, where technologists
help shape policy anddirection at a national level.
Members who begin asvolunteers often find themselves

(09:13):
running for elected positionswithin srt, contributing to real
changes in how our professionis represented and respected.
How many times do we makesocial media videos?
Maybe out of humor, butseriousness, we make social media
videos about people calling usbutton pushers, people calling us

(09:33):
technicians, people sayingthat, oh, anyone can do your job.
You guys don't do anything butpress buttons.
I can't believe you guys go toschool for two years to do it, to
do what you do.
And this is even coming fromthe healthcare profession sometimes.
Others that are outside of imaging.
Not only are we seeing thosemisrepresentations, myths and untruths

(09:57):
about our profession andcontinue to be said today, even by
healthcare professionals, isalso inside of the legislation where
individuals are not requiredin some states to hold any kind of
license or certification andthere's no one watching them to see
if they are even givingradiation safely.

(10:20):
Right.
So these things are soimportant and we see it as technologists.
And unfortunately it does givea bad light on our profession where
people start to think, anybodycan do that job.
Well, no, anybody cannot dothat job.
And it is important that somelaws are put in place because radiation

(10:41):
is very dangerous.
And what we do is serious.
It requires education andcontinuing education.
That's another part of it ismaking sure the SRT is very proud
to make sure that individualskeep up with their education.
When it comes to getting yourregistry, how are you staying current?

(11:02):
Are you staying current basedon curriculum that is tried and tested,
that actually works to keepthe patient safe, to educate the
technologists?
With all the technology that'scoming out there, we have so much
tech technology that you needto stay current.
You need to go to conferences.

(11:23):
So whether you want to be aneducator, a department director,
a PACS administrator, or athought leader in the industry, ASRT
has built in paths to help youget there.
And leadership doesn't alwaysmean management.
You guys.
I know.
I thought the same thing andmy mind has changed because I've

(11:44):
learned that leadership isn't management.
It means you're using yourvoice, you're sharing your experience
and helping to guide the next generation.
Sometimes it means speaking ona panel, other times it means mentoring
a student who just passedtheir boards.
And sometimes it means makingsocial media content, having a podcast

(12:05):
like a couple of rad tech's podcasts.
Either way, ASRT makes sureyou're not doing it alone.
Here are some real world examples.
I met so many technologiststhrough the SRT who have transformed
their careers just by getting involved.
Like a fellow MRI tech whostarted attending ASRT webinars,

(12:25):
joined a committee, andeventually became a speaker at national
conferences.
Wow.
This is how the ASRT networksand grows and develops leaders.
Again, it's not just managingCE credits, you guys.
Here's another real world example.
A mammographer who felt stuckat her mammography clinic, but found

(12:48):
a mentor through ASRT whohelped her transition into a QA or
quality assurance and educator role.
Now, many of you may not evenhave heard of that opportunity.
These are not just feel good stories.
These are real technologistswho made real moves because they
tapped into the ASRT community.

(13:09):
Could you offer a real storyafter you join the srt.
I would love to know what yourreal story is.
How you've pivoted, how you'vetransitioned, how you've grown as
a leader, how your career haschanged by taking advantage of some
of the opportunities that wehave mentioned in this podcast.
So what do I need you guys to do?

(13:32):
Here's my question to you.
Are you ready to be part ofsomething bigger than your badge
and shift schedule?
The ASRT community is waitingfor you with open arms, real opportunities,
and the kind of professionalsupport that makes a lifelong difference.
If you've been feeling stuck,disconnected, or unsure about your

(13:52):
next step, this is your sign.
Join the srt, show up in thecommunity and watch what happens.
Because being a great medicalimaging and radiation therapist isn't
just about knowing youranatomy or protocols.
It's about who you surroundyourself with.
Discover how the ASRT iselevating the medical imaging and

(14:14):
radiation [e-mail] be seen.
That's www.ASRT.org beseemthank you for hanging out with me
today.
If this episode helped you seeyour career in a new way, share it

(14:35):
with another technologist whoneeds to hear it.
I'll see you in the next episode.
If you found this podcasthelpful, you can leave it on Apple
or Spotify and we greatlyappreciate it.
Until then, keep showing up,keep growing, keep leading.
And that's a wrap for thisepisode of a couple of Rad Tech's
Podcasts.

(14:55):
We hope you enjoyed ourdiscussion of the fascinating world
of radiology and learnedsomething new about the role we play
in the healthcare industry.
If you have any questions ortopics that you love for us to cover,
feel free to reach out and letus know what they are.
And you guys, please, if youenjoyed this podcast or any of the
other episodes, we want tohear what you thought.
Leave us a review.
Mama's got to Pay our bills.

(15:15):
It helps.
And until next time, staytuned for more insightful and informative
episodes of A couple of RadTechs Podcast.