It can be said, “Time Flies” and in some circles it is considered a mere “blink” in the eye of the Lord. This year of 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and beginning November 30th through December 4th, the 100th Annual Scientific Assembly and Meeting will take place in Chicago, Illinois.
The theme of this year’s annual RSNA event, “A Century of Transforming Medicine” truly speaks to a timeline of historical advances, a mere “blink of the eye” if you will, in both medical devices and the science which created these “windows of viewing” into the human body. The discovery of this phenomena in 1895 by William Roentgen and the imaged hand of his wife Anna Bertha with this new invention dubbed “X –rays” set in motion a transformation of technology never before seen by the human race.
The production devices of x-rays and the receptors of those images have tremendously evolved these past 120 years and though with these advances one constant still remains – these medical imaging devices require service and maintenance. The role of the HTM service professional in medical imaging has been one of specialization and for the most part an original equipment manufacturer dominated work force. This area of HTM specialization is clearly a career ladder opportunity for the service professional either working in biomedical or completing their formal education for entrance into the field. As we look at the current and future work force needs of the HTM profession, the supply of skilled talent needed in the areas of imaging device service will not meet the demand. Simple supply and demand market methodology tells us HTM professionals with imaging service skills will be highly compensated, as compared to other service disciplines within the industry.
I leave you Mr. and Ms. HTM service professional with a few thoughts of recommendation. If you want to move yourself up the compensation ladder, one pathway is to become knowledgeable, skilled and have a committed work ethic in the service area of imaging. Push the envelope of your career and look outside of your bench area. Only you can decide your career goals and destiny – don’t wait for the golden egg to land in your lap – that only happens in fairy tales.
