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I have been in the field of Medical Technology
for 32+ years. "What is Medical Technology?" It is an
exciting, well-hidden career. Medical Technologists are the physician's
left hand. We collect, analyze, and report medical results to your
doctor. Some of the tests we perform include blood sugar, blood
count (which checks for anemia and infection) and throat cultures.
I am currently the assistant supervisor at Ashley Clinic, which
is a physician's group of 16 medical providers. I have worked there
for 21 years.
In order to let out my creative side, and balance the science side,
I started my own graphic design and vinyl business four years ago.
I make custom signs, banners and license plates. My motto is "---if
it will stick to it, I can do it!" I recently added airbrushing
to my business. The design work is done on a computer, then sent
to a plotter/cutter, prepared for installation on media, and then
installed.
My education started at a technical school studying medical technology,
it then continued at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. I attended
school while working full-time. Since my career is very dynamic,
I maintain my education by attending numerous workshops and other
specialized training to stay up-to-date on the technology and instruments
used in laboratories. I have also been blessed, working under some
great mentors who have helped make me the highly skilled person
I am today.
The most exciting part of my career is when I discover diseases
early. This can lead to a patient being cured, thus giving them
a longer life! Also it has been exciting being part of a career
that has gone from being totally manual to totally automated during
the span of my career. There is nothing greater than being a part
of progress and making it happen. My sign business is exciting because
I am able to bring a customer's idea to life for them. You take
a blank screen, design the work, create the work, install it or
finish it and it's great when it looks even better than you thought
it would. I feel great when a customer goes-WOW!!-when they see
the finished product!
The main obstacles in both careers are learning to be assertive,
instead of aggressive. The gender communication differences have
to be learned and balanced. Men and women do not communicate in
the same way, and learning how to communicate effectively can dissolve
a lot of obstacles or at least make them small bumps instead mountains.
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