Originally, I wanted to become a physiotherapist. After a year at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, I decided it wasn’t for me and it was my dad who suggested looking into the Medical Radiologic Technology program at NAIT, also in Edmonton. I did some research, a job shadow, and discovered it was along the similar lines of interest— biology, human body, helping people— and that was it. I’ve been a CT Technologist for 15 years.

Since moving to Victoria five years ago from Calgary, I’ve worked at both the Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals, though my permanent role is at VGH. So many patients are under stress, struggling with feelings of anxiety as they’re awaiting a diagnosis, or have been in a traumatic incident. I try to make their experience at VGH the best it can be; it really makes a difference. To be able to spend time with them, give them a bit of space to share if they need, and just to help make it a bit more comfortable is really impactful.

My day can vary so much, as we help outpatients and inpatients, as well as those admitted through the emergency department. We also perform specialty scans, like cardiac and colon scans, and biopsies and interventional procedures. If the emergency department is busy, we can expect to be busier as well– and being the stroke and trauma centre for Vancouver Island, we accommodate a lot of unexpected cases. We provide all of the patient prep ahead of the scan, bring them into the scan room, and then perform their imaging. Afterward we do the post-processing. Each day is very full, and never the same.

CT is such a key piece in diagnosing conditions, and access to this technology is so important. Since I’ve started my career, the scanners continue to get faster and provide better image quality; having state-of-the-art equipment is vital.