Radiographer | Plumber

AMINAH PATTERSON DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHER

MORTON AND PARTNERS RADIOLOGY

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? It was always my dream to be in the medical fi eld. In Grade 11, I went to Vincent Pallotti Hospital to job shadow the radiographers, and it was there that my knowledge and passion for the field grew.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO? Radiographers work with cutting-edge technology that produces X-rays; CT

(computed tomography), which are X-rays of slices in the body on three different planes; fluoroscopy – an X-ray test that examines the internal body and shows moving images on a screen like a movie; and other medical images to assist clinical radiologists and other doctors to reach a diagnosisfor the patient’s condition.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I studied theory at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) for four years and started doing practical work in my second term of first year at Groote Schuur Hospital for the duration of my studies. We spent two weeks on campus and two weeks in the hospital every month.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY I start at 8am, check my list of patients and whether I can call for any ward patients. While doing the X-ray, I get a brief history of why they find themselves there. I ask them about their painful anatomy while I am positioning them. I explain the process after the imaging: I send the images to one of our radiologists, who then sends a report to the referring doctor.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? Meeting new people, being able to play a small part in helping them and the doctors reach a diagnosis and, ultimately, treating the patient based on the diagnosis given from the X-ray images I take.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? I need to position the patient in a specifi c way to get a proper anatomical image, so when the patient is in pain it is hard to watch, even though I know it’s beneficial to them.

ANY FUTURE GOALS? To excel in the basic skills of radiography such as general and trauma radiography and CT. I would also like to specialise in mammography (breast imaging).

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING? The two go hand in hand: Formal training gives you a baseline of how to position the patient and what exposure to give when doing X-ray images. Experience gives you the ability to manipulate what you have learnt according to your patient and their abilities and needs.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? You need excellent communication skills, a caring nature, good observation skills, and the ability to work under pressure and use technologies.

ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? Remember, it’s not just hightech machinery that you’re working with, the patient and their well-being always comes first.

KEVIN STANLEY WILSON PLUMBER & OWNER

WILSON PLUMBING

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PLUMBING? I have an uncle who is a plumber and he is very successful, so the realities hit home for me when I had to make career decisions. The fact that the plumbing industry is a necessity-based business is appealing, as this ensures financial stability and job satisfaction with an international future. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I received institutional training from a regular government facility in the UK and completed my apprenticeship working for various companies. I eventually started working for myself after qualifying and receiving my Trade Diploma. This took the better part of four years to accomplish. There are quicker ways to do a Trade Test these days. The Monster Plumbing college advisor can assist anyone interested see www. plumbingcollege.co.za. The general ‘know-how’ is what instills confidence in clients and efficiency when it comes to doing the actual work to a satisfactory and compliant standard.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY We rotate between numerous sites, attending to plumbing emergencies. Every job has a new client, a new unique problem that needs solving and presents a new opportunity to gain another lifelong client. People buy from people and your personal ability to communicate, reassure and advise is key.

WHAT MAKES A ‘GOOD’ PLUMBER? A keen interest in physical work – be it metal or woodwork, mechanical, construction and so on. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? The fact that we know we’ll have work the next day based on great service, solid advice and a keen interest in accommodating our clients’ needs.

EXPERIENCE VERSUS FORMAL TRAINING? In this industry, on-the-job training is far more valuable. ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE? The fact that we have to do so much paperwork to track our services and clients! WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? The opportunity to train up new plumbers. Knowledge should be transferred to the next generation so as to ensure that our great country doesn’t get flooded with non-qualified individuals – this only results in buildings going up with inferior structural work, resulting in major complications for homeowners.

YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? We aim to establish a national company servicing client’s plumbing emergencies. We also hope to, eventually, take over the structural plumbing insurance from all insurers and banks.

ANY ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? Spend your first few years gaining as much knowledge as you can from active artisans with a busy workload and adequate exposure. Be eager to work overtime and save money. Don’t make unnecessary debt.