Patient Experience Leader and author of "Better Than I Found It", Katherine Kalthoff (CPXP), joins hosts Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) and Reece Burgoon (RT, RRA) to shares with us her inspiration throughout her career and in life.  During this  episode we really get to learn what the "Patient Experience" role is all about and how beneficial this role it is to enhancing satisfaction and safety!

Ms. Kalthoff is open and shares how she leads others to better understanding what is is our patients need from those who are providing care to them.  She is equally as open when sharing the importance of employee satisfaction and how this has a direct effect on the overall patient experiences.  She offers advise to those of us in the direct line of providing care and to those of us in leadership and administrative roles.  Most importantly she explains how patient experience is not something that is siloed and is a team effort.

Her discussion is easy to relate to, even for those not in the healthcare setting. She speaks about engagement, rounding on employees, and explains the importance of being present to be effective as a leader.  There really is something for everyone in this episode.

Thank you Ms. Kalthoff for taking the time to share with us your experiences and how we can better improve health care over all.  We were so grateful for this opportunity and to educate us on your role as Patient Experience Leader.

Be sure to check out her blog at : http://iamthepatientexperience.net/about/

Want to purchase your own copy of "Better Than I Found It": https://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Found-Experience-Healthcare/dp/1667861077 or at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-than-i-found-it-katherine-kalthoff/1142221362

Molly Barrett (RT, RPA, BSRT) comes on visit with hosts Will Bryan (RT, RRA) and Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) to share about her education and training in radiology.  She jumps right in and shares how she came into the radiology field, later obtaining her advanced education from Weber State University as an RPA.

Ms. Barrett's passion and positive energy is captured as she speaks about patient care and how her role as a Radiologist Assistant (RA) really taps into all that she works for.  During the conversation she shares how to take a leap of faith and how she started her own company, RadAssist LLC.  She also takes the time to offer simple advise for those considering their own start-up and some of the ways to get it moving in a successful direction.  Ms. Barrett really inspires you to look inside your passion, build goals, and set out to achieve those goals with persistence and connection.  

We also spent some time sharing how the RA role enhances radiologist and department flow and how that improves fast patient wait times!  Many important things are shared throughout this conversation and in the end we learn the value of the word "help".  It was so much fun to get to sit and visit with her on this platform!  

Ms. Barrett we wish you so much success and we will always be here to support in any way that we can!  Thank you for all that you are doing and helping continue to advocate for the work we all love doing!  

Check out RadAssist LLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/radassistllc/

This weeks featured host, Laura Williams (B.S., RT(R) (MR) (CT) (MRSO) (MRSC)), comes on the podcast to share more about her start in radiography and her passion in working towards higher education.  She speaks more into the MRI profession and educates us about the MRSO and MRSC credentials.  We get a first hand look at what achieving those credentials looked like for her.

We then dig in deep with her start in becoming a radiology entrepreneur and about Radiate Life LLC.  Ms. Williams explains what her goals are and how she plans to inspire imaging professionals.  During the conversation she shares about how starting this company has brought her many opportunities in the most unexpected ways.  One of those opportunities is working on the social media committee with her state society, Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists (ISRT), and how that has inspired her to be more involved.

At the end we share about the importance of branding yourself and how getting to network among imaging professionals play a key part in our roles.  This is so important to our profession, especially right now when we are all finding unity.  

Be sure to tune in to the end when we tell you about the "CRAP" we have for our listeners :). If you want your own crap find us on our website at www.collaborationra.com and send us an email with an address and we will get it out to you!  As Reece and I move along in our recordings were are finding it easier to share more of our personalities in the episodes.  We always have fun during the recordings but this time we are  working towards incorporating those moments into the shows!  

Be sure to check out Ms. Williams on her main blog site at radiatelifewithlaura.com

This episode we have featured guest, Susan Wertz (RT, RPA, RRA), who comes on to share about her background in radiology and the advocacy work she has been dedicated too.  Currently Ms. Wertz sits as the President of the Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologist (PSRT) and she brings more than 41 years of experience to the field of radiology.

Ms. Wertz shares about what her inspiration was for going into Interventional Radiology while also starting the mammography program at her institution.  While she was doing all of this talks about going through the RPA program and what being a Radiologist Assistant has looked like for her.

We share our different perspectives on what recognition for the profession can look like and the purpose it serves.  Ms. Wertz elaborates on the importance of educating those outside of our departments to learn about who we are and what it is that we do.  

During the conversation you will hear her explain the current legislation that the PSRT is working diligently towards passing through the Senate.  In the end we all come together to share what joining local, state, and national societies is like and how important it is for us all to join and engage in the profession.  

If you live in Pennsylvania and are looking to get involved in your state society you can go to their website at www.psrtonline.org or email them at [email protected]

If you are looking to support current legislation in favor of the bill currently in the legislative process you can access it on the ASRT website directly by going to https://votervoice.net/ASRT/Campaigns/97202/Respond FELLOW IMAGERS, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS CAN ALL SUBMIT A LETTER OF SUPPORT!  LET'S DO THIS!!

This weeks featured guest host, Angelia Nelson (PHR, SHRM-CP), comes on to share about her various roles in Human Resources and how she has worked directly with hiring multiple disciples within the imaging industry.  Mrs. Nelson offers advise for other HR representatives who might be seeking opportunities with private practices.

Mrs. Nelson also shares how the "boots on the ground" mentality has helped her achieve success in understanding company needs, staffing the right people, and how this helps you get to know your teams.  She continues on to share the importance of putting together a good resume and interviewing process.  Host Marcelene recommends a book for resume writing called "The Elements of Resume Style" the second edition, by Scott Bennett

Together we share some of our experiences with questions to ask during an interview as well as what to expected once the interview has ended.  Angelia shares on how to ask for a raise and the value in keeping a scorecard during this process.  Host Marcelene shares about the ASRT salary survey and how participating in your societies salary surveys can enhance the professions overall salary ranges.  We complete the episode by going briefly over the importance of benefits, what to look for in a contact, and making sure you understand what's in the contract.

Mrs. Nelson it was a pleasure to share this time with you, we really appreciated your tips, tricks, and pointers during this recording.  Thank you for taking the time to sit and visit with us and our listeners!

Featured guest hosts, Stefanie Manack (MS, CRA, RT (R)(VI)(M) and Judy Zakutny (35 years experience as a medical imager and holding credentials as RT, CT, MR), come on and share about their recent published article "Unseen seen side of imaging: Compassion fatigue, moral injury, and PTSD".  This article was originally featured on Auntminni.com on August 31st.

https://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=imc&pag=dis&ItemID=137828

Please check out episode 23 if you haven't already as this will help you enter into this episodes discussions.  Hosts Reece Burgoon (RT, RRA) and Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) learned so much during this two part series.  

The start of this episode begins with Ms. Zakutny and Ms. Manack sharing on the importance of understanding who the stakeholders are in our departments and how it effects the various roles in the medical profession and in our imaging departments.  The answers may surprise you!  

Our conversations continue into the mental health and PTSD diagnosis of medical imaging professionals.  Marcelene shares on some of her personal history with the stress of the profession and diagnosis.  Reece shares as well some of the more challenging aspects of his career and together we both express that it is ok to speak with someone who is certified to offer help to those of us who may be experiencing these mental health conditions.

We close out the second series with a brief discussion on the RA profession and how Ms. Manack and Ms. Zakutny came to learn of the RA roles.  This episode was such a special one for many reasons, but for us personally on the podcast it was having open and honest conversations.  It was an honor to have had these conversations and we are so grateful to have had this opportunity.  Thank you for joining us for this two part series!

If you are experiencing any of the mental health symptoms discussed in either of these episodes, we encourage you to go and get help from someone who is certified to give you the help you deserve.  

Featured guest hosts, Stefanie Manack (MS, CRA, RT (R)(VI)(M) and Judy Zakutny (35 years experience as a medical imager and holding credentials as RT, CT, MR), come on and share about their recent published article "Unseen seen side of imaging: Compassion fatigue, moral injury, and PTSD".  This article was originally featured on Auntminni.com on August 31st. 

When hosts Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) and Reece Burgoon (RT, RRA) read it, we knew we wanted the opportunity to have a in-depth conversation to understand these hardships we all face during our careers. In the first part of this episode we will learn more about Ms. Manack and Ms. Zakutny and what inspired them to come together to raise awareness for the mental health of the imagers in our communities.  

We go in-depth to learn about compassion fatigue, burnout, and recognizing the signs of those that are experiencing these symptoms.  We share about how connection to our patients is important but also remembering that it is equally important to connect within our selves as well. We close out part 1 with understanding some of the fantastic things our profession has to offer and how to encourage more people to consider the imaging path. 

Thank you for joining us on part 1 of the conversation, we are so excited to share next weeks part 2 with you! Ms. Zakutny and Ms. Manack we want to think you both for spending the time to elaborate on this amazing article!  

https://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=imc&pag=dis&ItemID=137828 

Disclaimer: No one in this episode is a mental health expert or certified in mental health.  If you feel like you need help we encourage you to reach out to someone who is certified in mental health to get you the help and assistance you need.  

Dr. Ahmed M. Fadl and Elizabeth Ezlich (RT, RRA) are our featured guest hosts for this episode.  Together they share about their experiences in the radiology field and the importance of collaborating together as a team.  Dr. Fadl starts the conversation by expressing the importance of advocating for the RA profession and why he wanted to join in the discussions.

During the conversation we will learn about what led Dr. Fadl into the radiology field and what his day to day practice looks like.  Together Dr. Fadl and Mrs. Eslich share how the work flow between them achieves optimal patient care and how the RA role is a benefit to the radiology field. Dr. Fadl also explains the differences between various midlevels and how the RA's are well suited in radiology departments due to their work history and education.

Collaboratively we all talk about legislation and the importance of advocating for the RA profession as well as MARCA legislation. We end the conversation with ways that we can obtain that positive feed back from the patients that we are treating.

Dr. Fadl has been an amazing advocate for the RA profession and we are grateful for all his and Ms. Eslich's advocacy and voices in the imaging field.  It was really an honor to have this time and share these conversations.  We hope all our listeners enjoyed the conversations as well too.

Elizabeth Eslich (RT, MRS, RRA) joins hosts Reece Burgoon (RT, RRA) and Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) to discuss various topics within the imaging profession.  Mrs. Eslich takes us quickly through her history as an RT going into the RA profession and offers advise for those currently in the program. She continues on to share a simple but impactful statement of what MARCA represents to her and advocating at the nations capital.

If you are wanting to learn more about RAD AID, listen in as she explains her unique experience volunteering and going overseas as an imaging professional.  Mrs. Eslich explains how to register to be a volunteer with RAD AID and what to expect after registering.  As the conversation continues we get to learn more about her role with the ASRT and ARRT and her representation as a RA delegate.  Ms. Eslich explains how to be nominated as an RA delegate, what the role looks like, and what criteria needs to be met to qualify to become an RA delegate.

We finish the conversation with discussing the recent topic of the analog days when the technologist would go into the reading rooms to discuss images or hanging films.  We have all noticed the shift over time and we all offer different advice for those of us looking to strengthen the bond between technologist and radiologist.

We were so grateful to have the opportunity to share in the discussions with Mrs. Eslich and we were excited to share who she is and what she is doing for the profession.  We hope that you found it inspirational!

Elizabeth Eslich RT, MRS, RRA

[email protected]