Tri-Point Career OrientationJennifer Weaver RPA/RA RT(R)

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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/RAThere 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….