Nicky Jensen, MRT
The story behind the scan: Nicky Jensen on day in the life of a Medical Radiation Technologist.

The story behind the scan: Nicky Jensen on day in the life of a Medical Radiation Technologist

As Nicky Jensen approached the end of her undergraduate degree in computer programming, she began exploring career paths that would enable her to bring together her love of technology and passion for caring for people. Motivated by fast-paced and highly physical work, Nicky shadowed a friend's mother who worked as a Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) and thought, “This is something I can do.”

MRT Week is November 5-11

MRT Week is an annual celebration of the important role Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) play in the healthcare system. An MRT is a qualified professional who uses radiation or electromagnetism to produce diagnostic images of a patient's body, or administers radiation to treat patients for certain medical conditions. At Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), MRTs like Nicky work in the Diagnostic Imaging (DI) department, which offers a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic services, including:

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
  • CT (Computed Tomography) and Interventional Procedures
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Ultrasound
  • Mammography
  • Vascular Doppler
  • BMD (Bone Mineral Densitometry)
  • Radiography and Fluoroscopy (X-ray)

With an average of 367 patients from inpatient, emergency and outpatient programs receiving diagnostic imaging services every day, the DI department at MGH plays a critical role in providing timely and accurate investigations/interventions to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

“Often for emergency patients, such as those with broken bones, Diagnostic Imaging is the first stop they make,” Nicky explains. “Sometimes even before seeing a doctor.”

A sense of community

Having started her career at MGH as an MRT student in 2008, it was a strong sense of community that led Nicky to make East York her home.

The department works collaboratively with clinical programs across the hospital to ensure the best outcomes for patients. For Nicky, it's these touch-points with staff and patients she finds most rewarding about her work.

“You get to know a lot of different departments – and you get to know the patients. When I worked in radiography, there were a few patients who were admitted and getting portable X-rays every day,” says Nicky. 

“Now that I work in CT, I see those same patients for their annual check-ups. I enjoy seeing people come back looking better than the last time they were here.”

An estimated 70 per cent of patients seen by the DI department are in the areas of radiography (X-ray) and CT, the majority of which are for emergency and outpatient services. To effectively and efficiently service these patients, MGH is equipped with six X-ray machines – four in the DI department and two in the Emergency Room (ER) – and two CT scan machines located in the DI department.

In the coming months, the Hospital will purchase a new CT scanner in the emergency room with funds from the Garron Family's $50-million gift. Another new CT scanner will replace one of the aging machines in the Diagnostic Imaging department thanks to a gift from Eric Tripp and Maria Smith.

“A CT machine in the ER is really exciting because it means we won't need to transport as many emergency patients to DI for their scans,” explains Nicky.

“This is safer for patients and allows us to provide better service by keeping more resources in the ER.”

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