CollaborationRA

WE’RE BACK!   Listen in as we kick off MRI week by sitting down with three of the most respected voices in MRI safety: Tobias Gilk (MRSO, MRSE), Pete Jablonka RT (R)(MR)(CT)(ARRT)(VRT)(MRSO) and Doug Boyd RT (R)(MR).  In this episode, we dive into their latest collaborative effort...a new MRI safety book designed to reach across all levels of experience!  Whether you’re just entering the field, a seasoned MRI technologist, or part of a radiology leadership team, this resource is crafted to enhance understanding, reduce risk, and raise the standard of MRI safety across the board! After a bit of a podcast pause, we couldn’t think of a better reason to hit “record” again.  This conversation is exactly what our industry needs right now, practical, informed, and passionately focused on protecting patients and professionals alike. Whether you’re running in on your commute or catching up between cases, we hope this episode reignites your commitment to safety and reminds you why this work matters.  Welcome back, and thanks for listening!

On this episode of CollaborationRA we are joined with guest host, Andrea Delony (MSRS, RT (R) (M), CRA), to have a casual conversation about management, team retention, and constructive ways to invest in those we are working with.   Please know that the views and discussions in this podcast are our own and are not those of any professional societies or organizations.  These are discussions with professionals within our industry to share our experiences and ideas. (00:51): Introduction to episode.(02:04): Introducing guest host Andrea Delony.(03:44): Learning more about Andrea’s career journey and professional progression.(06:25): What management roles with “boots on the ground” roles offer to connecting with your team.(10:14): What the Certified Radiology Administrator certification brings and what is gained from this additional credential.(13:17): “Open to work” and the discussion on workplace retention and workplace toxicity; finding a balance.(19:13): Constructive ways to encourage workplace satisfaction, instill positivity, and suggestions when salary raises might not be an option. (31:32): What to consider when you see that sign-on bonus.(37:52): Advocacy and what it brings to the workplace environment.(43:44): Updates and closing out the show Thank you to all our listeners!  If you are interested in having your own episode, please feel free to reach out to us and we will make it happen!

As we roll into the 4th season of CollaborationRA we brough on guest host, Nicole Ozinga, a registered PET/CT Nuclear Medicine technologist to visit with us about some of the legislation and professional advocacy that has been going on.  We cover many topics and share personal experiences in our advocacy, be sure to listen in and get inspired! Timeline:·      (00:51) Reece opens season four of CollaborationRA.·      (01:47) Introducing Nicole Ozinga.·      (04:30) Nicole shares how she first got exposed to the Nuclear Medicine.·      (06:10) Understanding on the differences between Nuclear Medicine and PET CT and why those certifications are valuable.·      (08:59) Discussing patient’s understanding of radiation and developing a healthy understanding.·      (10:44) Digging in deep to learn to learn how improving patient’s exams led to Nicole’s personal advocacy efforts.·      (15:18) Sharing our advocacy stories and how they relate to best patient care practices·      (17:46) Going to “Hill Day” and visiting the nation’s capital, an inside perspective.·      (24:36) Societies give you a safe space to be uncomfortable and build on professional strengths.·      (27:03) Understanding the “Find Act” and the 2025 push that gained success with CMS.·      (31:58) Discussing the RA, NMAA, Nuclear Medicine advocacy and supporting each other with state licensure in the future.·      (37:00) Gaining knowledge that one sentence in legislation can have major outcomes on our professionals.·      (42:52) Offering paygrades for advanced certifications and job roles as a retention model.·      (44:18) Discussing the NMAA and the RA, the push for professional recognition.·      (48:20) The radiologist shortage and how the extenders can be a “part” of the solution.·      (52:51) Professional advocacy and workplace happiness can aid in retention efforts.·      (53:57) Closing the episode out! We hope that you gain new perspectives and understanding with each discussion we have.  Our profession is vital to the care patients receive and nothing showcases that better than sharing our stories.  If you want to come on and share your perspective, find us at [email protected] and let us know!  

This week was share our open mic with guest host, Joel Horsford, CEO of RadEmploy.  Listen in as Mr. Horsford shares about the start of RadEmploy, employer and employee job connections, and how this company works to give Medical Imaging professionals a self-marketing space.  We love connecting with Joel and joining the Fireside chats, bringing us all closer together through conversation. Timeline (00:52): Introduction(02:11): Mr. Horsford spends some time giving us a personal update and sharing of starting RadEmploy; with the goal of opening up access to care through staffing solutions.(03:59): Finding the inspiration for starting RadEmploy and what their website offers and how it caters to the Medical Imaging professionals.(08:50): We share about the growth of RadEmploy how to join, free membership for medical imaging professionals and growing you brand.(15:39): Going through some of the more changes we have seen in the industry and making yourself marketable.(19:14): Discussing changes in the applying, hiring, and branding yourself in the job market space, coming into more current times.(22:17): Taking a look behind the scenes of RadEmploy.(23:16): Student engagement and working towards increasing awareness for the career pathway of medical imaging.(26:53): Sharing on past working experiences post completing education; exploring a more personal story.(33:02) Looking into the future of Rademploy, upcoming Fireside chats, and ongoing discussions of the RA profession.(36:05) Closing the episode. We want to thank Joel for always connecting with us and looking at new ways to enhance how our future is moving.  Thank you to all our listeners  and those who subscribe to our podcast, we are grateful for the continued support.https://www.rademploy.com/

In this episode we get to sit down with again with Caitlin Clark, board member for the LSRT, to hear about some of the important factors of putting on state affiliate CEU lectures.  Listen is as we talk about student engagement, vendor agreements, and what all happens behind the scenes to make these events happen.   (00:37) Welcome back to Collaboration RA, Marcelene and Reece reconnect! (04:19) The start of “throwing the party” (06:03) Connecting with our industry and putting those connections into the conference. (09:59) Finding lectures that connect with audience, time slots, and breakout sessions. (14:26) Location, location, location; making things effective and affordable. (1906) Forming and maintain vendor relationships; engaging students to assist in the process. (21:24) Connecting with other speakers, the attendees, and vendors. (23:32) Professional engagement, lectures, and troubleshooting some of the hiccups along the way. (27:33) Connecting with student audiences, topics that relate to them, and long-term growth opportunities. (31:50) Attendance and location determination. (33:45) looking to the future and upcoming event planning with the LSRT. (35:25) Speaking at conferences, the commitment, and gaining a life skill through speaking. (38:26) Closing advise for the seminar and connecting with vendors. (39:32) Closing remarks   We love our different state affiliates and getting to reconnect with them every opportunity we can.  They support local and state efforts and encourage engagement in our profession.  A big thank you to the LSRT, all our state and local societies for all the hard work you all do to make these conferences possible.

❗❗THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION ❗❗ "Here's where we choose to be rad, we choose to be seen and we refuse to be ignored" - Brandon Smith Want to know what all the push is about with signing the petition for recognition with the Office of Management and Budget? We got you covered! Brandon Smith, Chair of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, joins Marcelene Forbus to have a quick discussion about the importance of professional recognition that can be gained through signing this petition! Take 7 minutes to listen, learn on what it is your advocating for, and share the petition link that will be located in the comments!!! We have until August 12th to make our impact. It's our time to #BeSeen

In this quick episode we take you behind the scenes of the Society of Radiology Physician Extenders (SRPE) to get to know some of the attendees. Listen in as a few of us share in the value of going to these conferences and what Radiologist Assistant (RA) students gain through their attendance. It is amazing the network you can build in conferences like these and it is what elevates and educates our community. If you are considering becoming an RA student or are a technologist who enjoys lectures from a Radiologist's perspective, these are great ways to get your CEUs! Check out the SRPE website at https://www.srpeweb.org

This week our featured guest host is Kenzi Samuelson.  Mrs. Samuelson has been practicing in the industry as an ultrasound tech for almost a decade and wanted to come on the open mic to share her experiences in the profession.  Listen in as we engage in conversations and learn more about our struggles, how to overcome them and ways that we can continue to progress in our profession.   In this episode we start out by sharing what inspired Mrs. Samuelson to enter the industry and where her experiences have brough her up to know.  She speaks on entering the profession and some of the challenges new sonographers face and how to work towards working together to build a better future.  In her current role she seems many opportunities for the profession to grow and progress and speaks on how we can work together to achieve those advancements.    Mrs. Samuelson found is while looking into radiology specific advanced practice providers and that lead us into further conversations.  Listen in as we learn more about the advanced roles in medical imaging and how we can come together to understand what it is that each of us can bring to our medical imaging departments to aid in our radiologist daily workflow.   If you are interested in entering the ultrasound industry, Mrs. Samuelson’s advice is to attend an accredited program.     https://www.caahep.org   Our podcast doesn’t represent any societies; these conversations/thoughts/views expressed in this episode (as with all our episodes) are our own.

For this episode we invited A Couple Of Rad Techs Podcast, Chaundria Singleton, on to collaborate and connect as one platform for the evening.  We speak candidly on current events and the effects they have on our profession and how we can lead together to continue the rise in our voices.  Check out the timeline below an listen to the conversation flow.   Timeline: (00:52) Opening and introduction (03:13) How Chaundria got her start in the medical imaging industry and finding her passion. (06:11) Finding the pathway from graduating, constraining, and then going into multiple modalities. (07:55) What radiology-based podcasts, value in conversations, and investing in yourself can bring to you and your profession. (12:32) What others have learned on our platforms and likewise, what we have learned from our guests and conversations. (17:04) Recognizing the positive change, removing the competition mentality, and how educational standards have made an impact. (22:04) How setting and leading by example can make a big impact. (23:33) Social media and podcasting; connecting the two to increase understanding and engagement. (25:50) Recognition doesn’t mean competition.  (27:11) How recent events have pulled us together, articles that impact us, and finding our voices to continue raising the bar. (29:27) Advocacy and its various forms. (34:22) How positive leadership can make positive impacts in the workplace. (36:38) Wrapping up the conversation and closing the episode out.   We really wanted to thank Chaundria for coming on and sharing a platform together.  Together we share in the passion of continuing to inspire, educate, and elevate our profession.  This was such a treat for us to put together this episode, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

In this episode we spend time in casual conversation with fellow RA and friend Wesley Shay.  We hit on many topics but during the whole conversation you can hear how social media and word of mouth impact our profession.  As we look at moving forward, consider what impact you want to make and how to make it more constructive.   Timeline: (00:51) Intro and introducing Wesley Shay. (02:39) Meeting Wesley and presenting at the conferences. (04:41) Coming together and validating the information of our profession through the RA 101 lectures. (10:03) Job market trends, credentialing, and new RA graduates coming into the industry. (12:12) Credentialing and being the first in the industry to introduce the RA profession. (17:10) Inspiring RT students to see the value in the RA and educators understanding our roles. (19:49) Recognizing differences in advocacy and the changes we have noticed over the past 2 yrs. (24:00) Value in the podcast and giving others networking and freedom of connection. (27:38) Recognizing the role of radiologic technologist, the value you in numbers and elevating their voice. (29:02) Value in CEU conferences and upcoming events. (32:17) Impacts of our comments on social media and how we can move from non-constructive to constructive ways on promoting and elevating the profession. (36:24): Closing the episode out and sharing in some laughs.   We want to thank Mr. Shay for taking the time to come on and visit with us.  Our mic is always on and we want to share in conversations with you!  Join us!