Lisa Morton Career Spotlight
Lisa Morton is a Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) in the Medical Imaging department at the Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children's Hospital (JPCH) in Saskatoon.
What are you responsible for as a Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT)?
"In my department, our MRTs are responsible for general x-rays and fluoroscopy. However, because there are so many different areas we cover, I can't say there is a typical day. One day we might be doing outpatient clinic work at RUH, and the next, operating the C-arm or O-arm in the Operating Room (OR) to provide intra-operative imaging during spinal, orthopedic, and other surgeries. We work at both RUH and JPCH, so we may see anyone from the ages of 1 day old to over 100 years old. We also provide portable imaging to patients on the hospital wards who are too sick to come to us."
How is your work-life balance as a Medical Radiation Technologist?
"With working in a 24-hour facility, MRTs do shift work. We have three shifts daily (day, evening, and night). We also have a technologist on call after regular daytime hours to come in and help if needed. For me, shift work was always something I wanted to do. I never did like the “office hours” of a Monday-Friday, 9-5 type of job. I enjoy the flexibility of having weekdays off as my “weekends” to run errands and make my own appointments. My only other previous experience was working in the restaurant industry, which was almost always evenings and weekends. I guess enjoying working the off shifts is something that never changed!"
Have you always wanted to be a Medical Radiation Technologist?
"No, I hadn't always wanted to be an MRT. Growing up, I absolutely loved learning. I always thought I would go into education and become a teacher. In my later teenage years, I really got into watching The Learning Channel (TLC) medical documentaries and shows like “Mystery Diagnosis”. This sparked a passion for everything medical, but I didn't want to go to university to become a doctor or a nurse. I started thinking back to my own medical journey as a child where I spent lots of time in Medical Imaging having ultrasounds and other imaging tests performed. I started looking into imaging careers, was accepted into the MRT program at SaskPoly (then SIAST), and the rest is history!"
Are there opportunities to further your career as a Medical Radiation Technologist?
"Yes, there are opportunities to advance your career if you want. General x-ray is where almost every new graduate starts, however there are specialties in which you can study and train. These include Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Angiography, and Mammography. If you want more of a desk job that doesn’t involve direct patient care, there are opportunities in Information and Image Management. If you want to help train the next generation of technologists, you can also look at becoming an instructor at an educational institution such as Sask Polytechnic."
Do you have any advice for someone pursuing a career as a Medical Radiation Technologist?
"Keep an open mind. With how fast technology advances these days, so does the need and scope of imaging. The gold standard for care is constantly changing, and with this can change the demand within the health-care system. For example, it was recently announced that the age recommendation for breast cancer screening in woman was being lowered. This will increase the demand for mammography in the province."
What is the number one thing you love about being a Medical Radiation Technologist?
"I love that no two days are alike. I come to work each and every day not knowing where the day will take me, keeping me on my toes, and allowing me to think critically. I also enjoy being part of a large interprofessional community that are all working together to provide the best outcomes for the patients and clients we serve."
