During 18 years as a radiologic technologist, Jeff Crowley acknowledged he sometimes thought, "Oh, I can do that," while assisting with procedures.
But since becoming a radiology assistant, a job that allows him to perform certain procedures himself, Crowley's views have evolved.
"You end up gaining a lot of respect for the radiologist. The skill of being able to delicately manipulate catheters and wires—they make it look easy, but it's difficult," he said.
He'd reached the ceiling as a technologist and found that he could advance his career by securing a certificate as a Radiology Practitioner Assistant first. But because he had a bachelor's degree, Crowley was eligible to take an exam to become a certified Radiology Assistant, a new career path that's gaining momentum in imaging, though it is far from reaching its full potential.
A typical day for him starts with a briefing on cases with a supervisor in fluoroscopy. He then checks in with the interventional radiologists to talk about any interesting assignments. And he's rolling.
"The pager goes off, and I go from one thing to another," Crowley said.
Crowley rotates from PICC lines to central venous procedures to fluoroscopy, all in a day's work at North Mississippi Medical Center, where Premier provides imaging services.
"I went back to school at age 40, which was difficult," Crowley said of juggling night school and full-time job responsibilities.
The radiologists at Premier recognized the potential in such an endeavor and invested in his education. Having completed the rigorous program, Crowley has a renewed feeling of career satisfaction. "It took me to this level where I could be content retiring from," he said. "I wouldn't look for anything higher."
