Professional Portfolio

By: Alisa Sooter

Orientation WeekOrientation Week During orientation week, we had a lot of speakers During orientation week, we had a lot of speakers

come and talk to us.come and talk to us. Greg Dick, a hospital security guard, came to tell us about Greg Dick, a hospital security guard, came to tell us about

the HIPPA Laws, fire safety, and other rules of the hospital.the HIPPA Laws, fire safety, and other rules of the hospital. Mary Wiseman came to talk to us about our hand washing Mary Wiseman came to talk to us about our hand washing

presentations, that we began to present at schools later in presentations, that we began to present at schools later in the semester.the semester.

Misty Marley, from volunteer services, talked to us about Misty Marley, from volunteer services, talked to us about options for volunteering at the hospital. We had to have 10 options for volunteering at the hospital. We had to have 10 hours by the end of the semester, so it was a very helpful hours by the end of the semester, so it was a very helpful talk.talk.

We also received our hospital student badges and a We also received our hospital student badges and a TB shot.TB shot.

Kim Frangenberg came and gave us a tour around Kim Frangenberg came and gave us a tour around St. Francis and St. Joseph hospital.St. Francis and St. Joseph hospital. We were able to see where all of the different departments We were able to see where all of the different departments

were located in the hospital and were also shown were to were located in the hospital and were also shown were to check in at when we arrived at the hospital.check in at when we arrived at the hospital.

Hand Washing PresentationWe went to many different schools to teach

children the importance of washing their hands.

In the presentation, we had many things that we showed the children.We put on a skit to show the kids that germs

make you sick if you do not wash your hands.We taught the kids a hand washing song.We had one child put on this lotion and then put

his or her hands under a black light we had. The germs showed up white on his or her hands. The child then washed their hands and then put their

hands under the black light again, but this time there was no white on the child’s hands!

Informal Thank-You Cards

I made the Thank-You notes to show my appreciation to the speakers and the people who allowed me to shadow them.

My class created our own thank-you cards out of construction paper, markers, stamps, and anything else we could find.

The goal was to make them creative and fun!

Thank-You Letter

Thank-You LetterThank-You Letter

Thank-You LetterThank-You Letter

Thank-You LetterThank-You Letter

Thank-You LetterThank-You Letter

Professional Thank-You

To show my gratitude to the speakers and the units who let me shadow in their departments, I wrote them a

thank-you note.

BlogsBlogs

After I would go on a rotation to a department in the hospital, I would blog about the experience that I had. I would tell about what I learned when I went on the rotation and also about what I saw.

Pediatric Unit Blog• I went to shadow at the Pediatric Unit this week. There was not very much

going on during the two hours that I was there, but I still very much enjoyed going on this rotation. I thought that it seemed more homier than the other areas that I have gone on rotations. The first day that I was there I went around with a nurse as she gave medicine and checked for vital signs on patients. I got to see how the nurses were able to get the pediatric patients to take their medicine. The next day I got to go see video. Video is where the nurses check brain waves of patients who have seizures. I really thought that the video was neat, although I did not know how to read it the people there tried to explain to me how it worked. During my rotation I had a lot of my questions answered. One answer was that to go to the pediatric unit, a person had to be under the age of 18. Also during the second day, I was able to go see where they kept all the toys for the kids. If a kid does something that they refuse to do, like take their medicine, a nurse will give them a prize. I also thought that it was neat that their was always two beds in a room, so that the parents can spend the night with their child if the child has to stay overnight. I saw that there were a variety of illnesses that the pediatric unit can care for. I really thought that this was a good rotation.

ER BlogER Blog This week I went to the ER for my rotations.  It was This week I went to the ER for my rotations.  It was

pretty slow at the times that I went.  I was to see a pretty slow at the times that I went.  I was to see a nurse put an IV into a patient, and also got to see the nurse put an IV into a patient, and also got to see the nurse take blood and give medicine to the patient nurse take blood and give medicine to the patient from the IV.  I then was able to see a head CT scan, from the IV.  I then was able to see a head CT scan, that a patient from the ER needed to have.  It was that a patient from the ER needed to have.  It was really cool to see all the different layers of the brain.  really cool to see all the different layers of the brain.  Then a nurse gave me a tour of the ER and showed Then a nurse gave me a tour of the ER and showed me all the different rooms and some me all the different rooms and some of the of the equipment that they use in the ER. equipment that they use in the ER.  I I then went around with a nurse as he then went around with a nurse as he cleaned up cleaned up rooms.rooms.

4 SW Blog4 SW Blog I went to 4 SW this week for my rotation. On the first day, it was pretty I went to 4 SW this week for my rotation. On the first day, it was pretty

nice because one of the nurses offered to let me shadow her right when I nice because one of the nurses offered to let me shadow her right when I got there. We went around and checked on her patients. She was got there. We went around and checked on her patients. She was discharging two of her patients right when I got there so I was able to discharging two of her patients right when I got there so I was able to watch her take out the IVs and also explain to the patients when and what watch her take out the IVs and also explain to the patients when and what medicines they needed to take at home. The nurse made copies of lists of medicines they needed to take at home. The nurse made copies of lists of the medicines so that the patients would not forget. We then went and the medicines so that the patients would not forget. We then went and checked on a patient that had a pacemaker. There was still a bandage on checked on a patient that had a pacemaker. There was still a bandage on and around where the pacemaker was put in. I also was able to see an IV and around where the pacemaker was put in. I also was able to see an IV bag and saw a list of the ingredients that were in it. I also got to see what bag and saw a list of the ingredients that were in it. I also got to see what the nurses do when a patient first complains about a headache. The nurse the nurses do when a patient first complains about a headache. The nurse laid a cool rag across the patient head and dimmed the lights to see if that laid a cool rag across the patient head and dimmed the lights to see if that would help the patient’s headache, if it did not then the nurse told the would help the patient’s headache, if it did not then the nurse told the patient that they would get some medicine to try and help get rid patient that they would get some medicine to try and help get rid of it.of it.

On the second day I went it was pretty slow. The nurse gave out On the second day I went it was pretty slow. The nurse gave out some Tylenol and checked in on a few patients. Then the nurse some Tylenol and checked in on a few patients. Then the nurse did paperwork the rest of the time I was there.did paperwork the rest of the time I was there.

Radiology BlogRadiology Blog This week I went to the radiology department.  On the first day, I This week I went to the radiology department.  On the first day, I

was able to see a lot of portable chest x-rays.  To do them, the was able to see a lot of portable chest x-rays.  To do them, the radiologic technologist put film behind the patient's back and radiologic technologist put film behind the patient's back and then positioned the portable x-ray machine to the correct height, then positioned the portable x-ray machine to the correct height, and then the x-ray was taken.and then the x-ray was taken.

On the second day, I was able to see a whole lot.  First I got to see On the second day, I was able to see a whole lot.  First I got to see another chest x-ray, this time it was taken inside the radiology another chest x-ray, this time it was taken inside the radiology department.  During this chest x-ray, there were two angles that department.  During this chest x-ray, there were two angles that the x-ray was taken from, one being from the front the other the x-ray was taken from, one being from the front the other being from the side.  The technologist was looking at the lungs being from the side.  The technologist was looking at the lungs when they took the chest x-ray.  Lungs are suppose to show up when they took the chest x-ray.  Lungs are suppose to show up black, because on an x-ray air shows up black.  But in the x-rays I black, because on an x-ray air shows up black.  But in the x-rays I saw, the lungs had white in them, which meant that something saw, the lungs had white in them, which meant that something was wrong with the patients breathing.  I also got to see a hand x-was wrong with the patients breathing.  I also got to see a hand x-ray, which was also pretty cool!  The patient had to fan out their ray, which was also pretty cool!  The patient had to fan out their fingers when the technologist took the lateral x-ray of the fingers when the technologist took the lateral x-ray of the patient's hand.  I also viewed a knee and back x-ray.  It patient's hand.  I also viewed a knee and back x-ray.  It was pretty neat!  Lastly I viewed barium being was pretty neat!  Lastly I viewed barium being swallowed.  They were watching a patient swallow barium and swallowed.  They were watching a patient swallow barium and then watched it go down the esophagus.  All in all I really then watched it go down the esophagus.  All in all I really enjoyed the rotation!enjoyed the rotation!

Lab BlogLab Blog This week I went to the Lab for my rotation. On the first day I was able to shadow in the This week I went to the Lab for my rotation. On the first day I was able to shadow in the

Pathology Pathology section of the lab. It was so cool. They took me into the room that they section of the lab. It was so cool. They took me into the room that they call the gross room. The gross room is where they do all of their dissecting. The call the gross room. The gross room is where they do all of their dissecting. The pathology section is given all of the organs and different body parts that are pathology section is given all of the organs and different body parts that are removed from people while in surgery. After they receive the body part, they removed from people while in surgery. After they receive the body part, they dissect it and make assessments about it, like the color of it and size of it and they dissect it and make assessments about it, like the color of it and size of it and they say if there is anything wrong with it, like if it has a lymph node. I was able to see say if there is anything wrong with it, like if it has a lymph node. I was able to see the dissecting of a gall bladder. It was pretty neat. The gall bladder had gall the dissecting of a gall bladder. It was pretty neat. The gall bladder had gall stones in it. The pathology assistant first made assessments over the gall stones, stones in it. The pathology assistant first made assessments over the gall stones, which were a yellow/green color and very soft. The pathologist assistant then cut which were a yellow/green color and very soft. The pathologist assistant then cut the gall bladder down the center in order to get an accurate measurement of it. the gall bladder down the center in order to get an accurate measurement of it. She then cut little pieces of the gallbladder, in order to make slides. Although I did She then cut little pieces of the gallbladder, in order to make slides. Although I did not get to see any slides made, I was told about the process. The pathologist takes not get to see any slides made, I was told about the process. The pathologist takes the body specimen and takes all of the liquids out and then puts wax all around it. the body specimen and takes all of the liquids out and then puts wax all around it. The wax hardens and then the waxed specimen is shaved in a machine. The shaved The wax hardens and then the waxed specimen is shaved in a machine. The shaved pieces are placed in warm water and the pathologist takes the sample that they like pieces are placed in warm water and the pathologist takes the sample that they like best and then they microwave the piece in order to get as much of the wax off as best and then they microwave the piece in order to get as much of the wax off as possible. The body part is then ready to put under a microscope. possible. The body part is then ready to put under a microscope. 

On the second day, I was able to see the rest of the lab. First I went to On the second day, I was able to see the rest of the lab. First I went to microbiology, where I saw how to make blood slides. I was also allowed to look microbiology, where I saw how to make blood slides. I was also allowed to look through a microscope at a slide and was shown the different types of cells. The through a microscope at a slide and was shown the different types of cells. The little blue specks that are in the blood are platelets. Next I was shown little blue specks that are in the blood are platelets. Next I was shown around the chemistry section of the lab. I was shown all of the around the chemistry section of the lab. I was shown all of the equipment that was used, and someone explained how each piece of equipment that was used, and someone explained how each piece of equipment was run and what tests they do on each piece of equipment. Then I was equipment was run and what tests they do on each piece of equipment. Then I was shown around the blood bank. It was really neat. I was shown the shown around the blood bank. It was really neat. I was shown the packets that they kept the blood in. They told me that they try to use packets that they kept the blood in. They told me that they try to use all of the same blood for babies so they put the name of the baby on the all of the same blood for babies so they put the name of the baby on the package of blood and save it for the baby until the baby leaves the package of blood and save it for the baby until the baby leaves the hospital. I was also shown what blood looked like if it was type A, B, hospital. I was also shown what blood looked like if it was type A, B, AB, and O. Lastly, I hung around with a phlebotomist as she checked AB, and O. Lastly, I hung around with a phlebotomist as she checked in blood and other substances that came into the lab.in blood and other substances that came into the lab.

Alisa Sooter October 22, 2010 Denise Clarke-Hang, Project Director Via Christi St. Francis Hospital 929 N. Saint Francis St. Wichita, KS 67214 Subject: Radiologic Technologist Dear Mrs. Clarke-Hang: I am pursuing a career as a radiologic technologist and I have heard that you have openings in the radiology department at St. Francis Hospital. I am very interested in applying for this position, and I believe that I am well qualified. Currently I am a senior at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, where I am taking a rigorous honors curriculum and have a 4.1 GPA. I have earned A’s in both chemistry honors and biology. I have taken many college courses from both Friends and Newman University, including calculus and medical terminology. I am currently in the St. Gianna Health Academy, which has allowed me to become familiar with all the different medical fields, because each week I am allowed to shadow in a department at the hospital. I have a little bit of experience in radiology. In my Health Academy class I was able to go on a rotation in the radiology department. On my rotation I was introduced to all of the equipment that is used in radiology and I was also shown the tasks that radiologic technologists perform. Another experience that I had was over the summer when I volunteered at the Family Practice. While I was volunteering, I was allowed to watch the technologist position the patient, explain to the procedure to the patient, and take the x-rays. I have learned a great deal about the radiology department and about the tasks of the technologists, and although I have no previous experience as a radiologic technologist, I am a quick learner and I welcome the opportunity to prove myself. I am very interested in receiving a job at Via Christi. I would appreciate being able to have an interview with you at your earliest convenience. I can be contacted by email or by telephone any time after four o’clock pm. If I am unavailable please leave a message and I will get back with you as soon as possible. Thank you very much. I hope you feel that I would make a great addition to your radiology team. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Alisa Sooter

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Resume

REFERENCESREFERENCESAvailable upon request.Available upon request.

Evaluation Sheets

After a rotation in the hospital, I had the person showing me around fill out an evaluation sheet. They critiqued

me how I acted and presented myself during the rotation.

Evaluation Sheet

Evaluation Sheet

Evaluation Sheet

Evaluation Sheet

Evaluation Sheet

Throughout the semester, professionals from different departments came and spoke to my St. Gianna Health

Academy class. They would explain to us what they did and what type of classes and degrees a person would

need to take to enter into a certain profession.

Reflections

Nursing Reflection

PsychologyReflection

RespiratoryTherapy

Reflection

Radiologist

Reflection

Veterinarian Reflection

Career List

At the beginning of the semester, I did research on a few careers that I was interested in pursuing. I explained why I was interested in the career and what education would be needed in order for me to enter into the career.

Radiologist I am very interested in becoming a Radiologist, because ever

since biology my sophomore year of high school, I have enjoyed looking at bones and the different parts of the body. As a radiologist I will be looking at bones, the stomach, intestines, and other things that are inside of the body. To get ready to go into Radiology in college, I can take English, biology, chemistry, physics, Latin, and Calculus in high school. In college in order to become a Radiologist, I will first need to go to a four year college and get my bachelors degree. Getting a degree in biology or chemistry would be helpful since I am going into Radiology. I will need to take two years of biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus. In my junior year of college I will need to take the Medical College Admission Test and get somewhere between a 24 and 36. Once I take the test I will be able to start applying for medical schools. For most medical schools I will need a 3.0 GPA, but I will need at least a 3.7 for the competitive medical schools. Also by volunteering at hospitals throughout college will look very good on medical school applications. The first couple years in medical school, I will be listening to health science lectures. The next couple years I will be doing hands-on clinical studies. After I graduate, I will need to take five years of residency, specific to radiology. Then I will be able to begin applying for jobs.

How To Become A Radiologist. Mahalo. 2007-2010. 22 Sept. 2010 <http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-become-a-radiologist>.

Physical Therapy Another profession that I am interested in is Physical

Therapy. I like this career because I would be able to work with people of all ages. It would also be a very rewarding job, helping people regain the use of limbs after a major injury. In order to become a physical therapist, I would need to take the undergraduate courses anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, social science, mathematics, and statistics. I would also need to volunteer in a physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic. Then I will be able to apply at the physical therapist education program. In the program I will need to take many science courses. Also I will get supervised clinical experience. Once I graduate from the program, I will be required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. Before I can practice physical therapy, the State requires that I take jurisprudence exams. I will be able to get a job then, but I will need to continue to take classes in order to keep my physical therapy license.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. 2009. 22 Sept. 2010

<http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm >

Podiatrist I am also interested in becoming a podiatrist, a foot doctor. I

have had arch support problems, so I know that there is a great need for foot doctors. Also my uncle is a podiatrist and he really enjoys what he does, so I think that this would be an awesome field to go into. To become a podiatrist, I will need ninety hours of undergraduate study, where I will need to take eight hours of biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics and also six hours of English. Then I will need to take a four year podiatric program in college. To get into this program, I will need a decent grade point average and a good score on the Medical College Admission Test. In the podiatric program, the first two years I will study science, and the last two years I will be a resident. After I graduate from the podiatric program, I must take the national and State examinations, and pass them. Then I will get the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. After graduation, it would be helpful to take another two to four years of residency at a hospital. After I finish the residency I will be ready to begin a career in podiatry.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. 2009. 22 Sept. 2010 <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos075.htm>

Dental Assistant Another career that I am looking into is Dental Assistant. I am

interested in this because I have two aunts and a sister who have a career in the Dental industry and they really enjoy what their work. I also think that working with patients and teeth sounds very interesting. In order to become a Dental Assistant, I should take biology, chemistry, and health courses in high school. Then I can either do on the job training or, as many dental assistants are now doing, get trained in dental-assisting programs. Dental-assisting programs are offered at community or junior colleges, trade schools, and technical institutes. It takes one year to finish the program and get a certificate or diploma. By taking the program for two years, I can get an associate degree. In order to get accepted into these programs I will first need to obtain a high school diploma. After I finish school and get hired I will still need some on the job training, so that I can learn how the dentists does things and where everything is in the office.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. 2009. 22 Sept. 2010 <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm>

X-Ray Technician I am also looking into becoming an x-ray technician. I

think that this career is interesting because a person is able to take pictures of the bones and internal organs, which are things that I find to be peculiarly interesting. I also like the option of an x-ray technician because I will not need to go to school for a long time, but only for about 2 years. In order to become an x-ray technician, I will need to get two years of training at a college in a radiology program. I will need to take classes in Pathology, Radiation protection, ethics, bedside manner, and anatomy. After I graduate I will need to get certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. I will need to pass an exam to get certified. After I become certified, I can begin looking for a job.

How To Become An X-Ray Technician. 2007-2010. 22 Sept. 2010

<http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-become-an-x-ray-

technician >

Laboratory Technician Lastly, I am interested in becoming a laboratory

technician. I am interested in this field of medicine because my mother works in the Lab. I gone to see her at work many times over the summer and find the different things done in a lab to be very interesting. If I become a lab technician I can work in the lab without having to go to school for a long time. I will need one to two years of training in order to become a lab technician. After the two years I will receive a certificate saying that I had the training. Another option is to get an associate degree from a community college. I could also just have on the job training. After I finish the training to become a lab technician and have the degree or certificate, I will be able to start my career.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. 2009. 22 Sept. 2010

<http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos096.htm >

Career Research PaperRadiologic Technologist

Radiologic technologists operate x-ray instruments to create black-and-white pictures of internal body parts, including bones, tissues, and organs (“Allied Health Profession”). They also view digestive, circulatory, and urinary systems with the x-ray. Technologists run the machines and maintain patients’ files (Swanson 218). The technologist tells the patient what will happen, positions the patients for the x-ray, covers up parts of the patient’s body that will not be viewed with a lead apron, and makes sure that the patient does not have anything on that will obscure the rays. The technologist positions the x-ray at the correct altitude and slant, and puts the film holder in the right location beneath the patient. He or she then sets the dials of the instrument to the correct perimeters (“Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition”). The technologist obtains the x-ray and examines the image to see if it is a good picture (McCutcheon 73). The technologist does not diagnose the images that they take, but just looks at them to see if they are of good quality so that the radiologist can see them and make a diagnosis (Knuppel). If it is needed, he or she also makes the barium solution that the patient will drink. The barium allows the tissues in the body to become visible. The technologist also makes sure the patient takes the right measure of barium (Wischnitzer 278). It is also the technologist’s responsibility to perform the maintenance on all of the equipment (McCutcheon 73). Technologists must listen to the radiologist or the doctors at all times, and do exactly as they request (Knuppel).

St. Gianna Health AcademySt. Gianna Health Academy

The class as a whole was very helpful in allowing me The class as a whole was very helpful in allowing me to figure out what career I wished to pursue in college.to figure out what career I wished to pursue in college.– I am fairly confident that I will be going into Radiology I am fairly confident that I will be going into Radiology

Technology.Technology.

The rotations to the different departments in the The rotations to the different departments in the hospital definitely showed me the areas that sparked hospital definitely showed me the areas that sparked my interest and the areas that I would not be able to do.my interest and the areas that I would not be able to do.– I had not known much about many of the departments before I had not known much about many of the departments before

my Health Academy class, so the class was very helpful.my Health Academy class, so the class was very helpful.

I really enjoyed the class, and I am very glad that I took I really enjoyed the class, and I am very glad that I took it.it.