I have previously received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and immediately started working as a Patient Access Representative, making an average salary of thirty-thousand U.S. dollars in healthcare settings. Before working in the healthcare environment, I literally did not thought much about working in the environment where healthcare services are operational output of the organization. I worked there for five years, and that is the time where internal transformation occurred. I began taking interest in pursuing a professional degree in healthcare, and especially an associate degree in Radiography and MRI Technology owes a great deal to the broader understanding of healthcare services in society. A professional degree in radiography will not only double my average annual income, but also increase my ability to contribute positively in society as the healthcare sector continues to grow due to nation-wide demand of healthcare services.
Analysis
I always dreamt of doing work that is considered most ordinary, while they are central part to the system functioning. Working in the healthcare setting over the last five years brought me to the conclusion of pursuing a career in radiography, which requires skills that I already possess. I always had a keen eye for ‘attention to detail,’ which mean noticing things that can be meaningful but aren’t apparent. The role of radiologist involves attention to detail because it requires developing complex treatment plans, and making precise effort to form a diagnosis. In the last five years I have met several radiographers, and all of them had the ability of focusing on ‘attention to detail,’ despite having technical knowledge of therapeutic or diagnostic areas. Two other skills central to career in radiography are problem solving and communication skills, coupled with the skill of teamwork. To be honest, I am not the kind of person who is first to take lead, but I always support leaders that believe in growth for everyone. I can take the team along, and can lead where need be. The suitability of my skills for career in radiography are corner stone for my decision to pursue a professional degree in healthcare.
The recent estimates of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest a projected growth of seven percent, over the next decade, in employment opportunities for radiologic and MRI technologists (Radiologic and MRI Technologists, 2021). It further states, “Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients, as its work deliverables” (Radiologic and MRI Technologists, 2021). One obvious reason for the growth of work opportunities is the aging population which requires demand for diagnostic and imaging tool. Additionally, the present median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians is twice as high as my current salary package, which makes things rewarding in financial terms. The field of radiologic technologists requires experience and certification for rewarding work opportunities, and there work is in healthcare facilities with full time work opportunity. Apart from being compassionate, problem solving skills require precise decision making within limited time regarding creation of treatment plans and diagnosis of patients. The ability to deliver knowledge related to treatment and diagnosis to patient requires efficient communication skills, along with technical know-how. Medical and technical knowledge assists in getting better at the service delivery, but knowledge of communication and interpersonal skills are crucial for efficient work delivery.
The key skills and expertise required of radiologic technologists are appealing to me as they align with my personality traits and behavior. I want to work in environment where service delivery in humanitarian service, and working more is incentivized not only monetary sense, but also in the form of compassion for each other. I always thought of living a meaningful life, and deep down in my life. I realized that it is important to remain a functional and productive member of the society. Although, my previous idea of contributing to lives around through activates that require solely financial strength is categorically rejected over the last five years. I met several people in healthcare setting with lives of content because they feel connecting to a higher-purpose in their lives. Serving the humanity is at the core of a peaceful coexistence in society, and generally at world-wide level. I wish to have a secure and long-term career with a professional degree in radiography.
Conclusion
Working for over five years in the healthcare sector opened me up to wider opportunities within the sector that requires collective effort for reforms. Our healthcare sector is expensive when compared with other developed nations of the world, but we still manage to receive healthcare services that many as close as south of United States’ border are lacking. We can collective work to reform the system with providing the skills & resources. The choice of pursuing career in radiography is motivated in the times when I thought of doing something useful with my life. I did manage to explore available options for enhancing my skills and expertise through gaining a professional degree, and a career in radiography can open-up wider opportunities available within the healthcare setting. The financial opportunities with hundred percent rise in average annual salary income are supplementary with the non-monetary benefits of gaining satisfaction from the work for overall benefit of the society. Knowledge can provide insight into the merits and demerits of a career, but these careers are much more than just job positions waiting to be filled. They are real people with real feelings about the state of affair around.
References
Radiologic and MRI Technologists. (2021, April 9). Bls.gov; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm
