Michelle Pooler
Interventional Radiology
Vassalboro,ME
Summary
I would like the opportunity to be promoted and assume the responsibilities as a full-time advanced diagnostic interventional radiology technologist for the U.S. Dept of Veteran’s Affairs- VA Maine Healthcare system.
I have worked in radiology for 23 years. My most recent experience includes ten years in Interventional Radiology at Togus. My background includes diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, CT scan, MRI. and Interventional radiology at a neighboring hospital. I have supervisory experience as acting lead diagnostic technologist from 2012-2013. During this time I participated and graduated from the LEAD program. I have performed all the functions of an interventional radiology technologist and beyond for the last ten years that I have worked in IR. This includes but is not limited to being responsible for the ordering and maintenance of hundreds if not thousands of supplies. I initiate the arduous task of entering new supplies into the CPRC for approval. I coordinate preventative maintenance for the equipment in IR. I have been tasked with orienting and training all other IR techs who have worked at Togus. Before stepping into the dynamic world of radiology I held several care giving jobs from a Matron at St. Mark’s Home for Women and an aid at an Alzheimer’s Care Center, to respite work for children with behavioral challenges and as a preschool TA for Gardiner Recreation now known as the Boys and Girls Club Of Greater Gardiner. My first job upon graduating from high school was as a substitute teacher (MSAD 11). I have experience speaking before groups and have worked with all walks of people. I am reliable, motivated and strive for continuous improvement in my work atmosphere. I am well liked among my peers and have always received exceptional evaluations for my hard work. I have a good rapport with the Radiologists and other clinical and administrative staff in the facility. I have worked the last ten years at a GS 9.
Organized Radiology Technologist versed in operating imaging equipment to process diagnostic tests. Adheres to safety regulations to protect personnel and patients from radiation. Compassionate practitioner with exceptional communication and rapport-building skills.
Productive professional with several years of progressive expertise in clinical settings. Highly knowledgeable in multimodality imaging. Skilled in providing patients with educational information and instruction to ease anxiety and produce high-quality, high-resolution images.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interventional Radiology Technologist
VA Healthcare of Maine-Togus Augusta
Augusta, Maine
10.2014 - Current
- IR opened December of 2014
- I accepted the position of IR tech in Oct of 2014 and began the process of building the department
- At that time, I was the only employee in the modality
- There was a machine in the procedure room, a sink, and cabinets
- That is all
- I began ordering supply carts and all the supplies needed to get started
- We had no IR modality before this, so each piece had to be built
- I personally took part in each building block as soon as I was assigned to the role of IR tech
- It has evolved into something I take great pride in
- I hold a full-time position as an Interventional Radiologic technologist on a compressed 0630-1700 M-TH tour
- During business hours I perform all duties necessary to help keep the IR department going
- I make schedules, enter orders, follow ups, and work on consults
- I maintain inventory for the IR suite by entering 2237 orders, doing inventory, checking expirations and working with logistics to keep our shelves stocked
- During procedures, I assist the interventional radiologist, cardiologists, and anesthesia providers in all IR procedures of the head, neck, chest, and body
- In order to assist the interventional radiologist, I possess familiarity of the vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
- Together we perform peripheral and visceral angiography of abdominal systems and extremities
- This includes renal, hepatic, mesenteric, aortic, and femoral and peripheral vessels to achieve diagnostic and therapeutic studies of the vascular systems
- I perform not just most exams, but all exams using sterile technique
- We have great team dynamics among all members including the interventional radiologist, surgical staff members, our nurses and technologists
- Maintaining strong knowledge of contrast media that is utilized in IR procedures is essential to patient safety and is at the forefront of my daily practice
- The IR room environment and all equipment is kept immaculate to ensure patient safety and satisfaction
- I clean the procedure table, pillows and back tables after every patient
- My coworker and I rotate procedures so we can keep our technical skills sharp
- I maintain professional and synergistic behavior as part of my daily practice
- This is with patients, coworkers, family members, and visitors alike
- I operate independently often times without direct supervision as a technologist that is responsible for the assistance with and coordination of all interventional radiology exams done in interventional radiology
- As an IR tech I am knowledgeable and proficient in computerized Radiography and Picture Archiving and Communications Systems also known as PACS
- I became certified as a PACS associate in 2011
- I assist in getting exams scheduled into the IR suite by entering orders for follow ups and prompting the RNs to ask about follow up while the veterans are still in the room
- This ensures the veterans have an appointment before leaving our area
- There is not a lot of downtime as we are in high demand
- We often add emergency cases
- Our department works as a team to be as flexible as possible to get the work done efficiently and with excellent patient care
- I work closely with other technologists and my one radiologist, nurses, and other clinical and clerical staff to assure optimum quality control, efficient coordination of activities, high quality diagnostic/therapeutic exam results, and ultimately patient satisfaction
- When the occasion arises, I perform additional work by doing portable x-rays for our procedural patients
- If IR is closed but I am working, I help the Radiology department by doing C-arms cases or helping in CT
- Some of the procedures require diagnostic studies of the entire spinal canal including the spine, head, and neck studies
- I assist the Interventional radiologist and Anesthesia providers with these studies
- After business hours I take part in the call pool.
Diagnostic /CT Technologist
VA Healthcare of Maine-Togus Augusta
Augusta, Maine
10.2008 - 10.2014
- Previously I performed diagnostic, surgical, fluoroscopic, portable, and bone density tests
- I also provided support by taking part in the CT call pool
- I had collateral PACS duties
- I performed s QA testing and assisted in building a QA program for the department.
CT /Diagnostic Technologist
Midcoast Hospital
Brunswick, Maine
03.2008 - 10.2008
- On a per diem basis, I filled in and covered for the CT dept
- Using a Siemens 64 slice
- I also did diagnostic x-ray with Siemens equipment and Fuji CR readers
- I covered third shifts and some dayshifts
- This job required a lot of independent work and learning many different protocols for the scanner
- We used Phillips PACs at this facility and checked each image to ensure it populated the database without errors.
Radiologic Technologist III
Maine General Medical Center-Augusta
Augusta, Maine
01.2000 - 10.2008
- I performed a variety of exams from all routine CT scans to biopsies and CT angiography
- I independently performed diagnostic radiology examinations, with and without administration of contrast media
- I scheduled add on exams
- I performed peripheral and visceral angiography of abdominal systems and extremities
- I assisted with biopsies, abscess drainages, PICC insertion, lap band patency procedures
- I assisted with routine angiography, IVC stent placements, embolizations, and percutaneous nephrostomies
- I operated and set up various imaging equipment Siemens and Philips for a broad spectrum of Interventional procedures and other exams
- I assisted the radiologist with procedures using fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and CT guidance
- I scrubbed in and assisted others with sterile procedures
- I worked every aspect of these procedures from ordering the supplies to setting up the sterile tray to scrubbing in and helping the radiologist to scrub in, to running the machine, both contrast administration and angiography runs and charging for supplies afterward
- I took care of the patient pre during and post procedure
- I took call for Interventional Procedures and CT
- In diagnostic procedures I did all routine x-ray exams as well as fluoroscopy and C-arm work in the O.R
- We used Phillips PACs and fixed our own database errors (exemptions).
Per Diem MRI Technologist
Maine Mobile MRI
03.2004 - 06.2004
- While working full time on third shift I cross-trained in MRI
- I worked per diem for the company and learned the protocols for a Philips MRI
- The exams performed included head, neck, spine, MRA’s, upper and lower extremities
- I became skilled at starting IV’s while working this job and learned there how to effectively screen and ask the correct right questions to get a thorough history.
CT /Diagnostic Technologist
Maine General Med Center- Thayer
Thayer, Maine
08.2003 - 06.2004
- I worked mainly third shift independently doing x-rays and CT scans
- I quickly learned how to prioritize my work for efficiency, and to keep my patients happy
- This was my first job out of x-ray school
- While working at this campus, I trained in MRI before moving on to Special Procedures
- I ordered pharmaceuticals for the Nuclear-Medicine department on this shift and did some report verifying and other quality control assignments upon request
- I also had the task of hosting tours for kindergarteners and teaching this population about x-ray.
Education
PACS ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATION-PARCA -
Yellow Belt Certified -
Graduated from Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Development Program (LEAD) Upward Mobility -
Continuing Education Credits - Vascular
International Symposium On Endovascular Therapy
Miami, FLORIDA01-2024
Associates in Applied Science and Certificate of Completion -
Clark F. Miller School of Radiologic Technology at CMMC/ CMTC
Lewiston/Auburn, ME08.2003
Skills
Advanced diagnostic interventional radiology
Diagnostic x-ray
Fluoroscopy
CT scan
MRI
Interventional radiology
Supervisory experience
LEAD program graduate
Ordering and maintenance of supplies
CPRC approval process
Preventative maintenance coordination
Orienting and training other IR techs
Caregiving experience
Speaking before groups
Excellent evaluations
Good rapport with Radiologists and staff
GS 9 level experience
ARRT CT registered
PACS associate certified
Yellow Belt certified
Knowledgeable and proficient in computerized Radiography and PACS
Familiarity with vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
Peripheral and visceral angiography
Knowledge of contrast media used in IR procedures
Sterile technique
Immaculate IR room environment and equipment maintenance
Team dynamics and collaboration
Patient care and satisfaction
Portable x-rays
Call pool participation
Diagnostic/CT technologist experience
QA testing and program building
Variety of exams including biopsies, drainages, and angiography
Fluoroscopy and C-arm work
Independent work and learning
MRI technologist experience
IV starting skills
Radiation protection safety knowledge
Utilization of advanced imaging software
Knowledge of basic physics in relation to imaging equipment
Positioning patients for complex imaging studies
Direct Patient Care
Patient Positioning
Patient Safety
Venipuncture
Quality Control
Certification
Certified Reiki Practitioner
Usui Shiki Ryoho-1st degree of Usui System of Natural Healing-Oct 24, 2017
Hobbies
Yoga, travel, reading
Professional references
- Kim Metcalf phone# 207-615-2876
- Erica Morris phone# 207-215-4465
- Anne Marie Dutil phone# 207-861-2115
- Jeff Beaudoin phone # 207-485-4307
Timeline
Interventional Radiology Technologist
VA Healthcare of Maine-Togus Augusta
10.2014 - Current
Diagnostic /CT Technologist
VA Healthcare of Maine-Togus Augusta
10.2008 - 10.2014
CT /Diagnostic Technologist
Midcoast Hospital
03.2008 - 10.2008
Per Diem MRI Technologist
Maine Mobile MRI
03.2004 - 06.2004
CT /Diagnostic Technologist
Maine General Med Center- Thayer
08.2003 - 06.2004
Radiologic Technologist III
Maine General Medical Center-Augusta
01.2000 - 10.2008
PACS ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATION-PARCA -
Yellow Belt Certified -
Graduated from Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Development Program (LEAD) Upward Mobility -
Continuing Education Credits - Vascular
International Symposium On Endovascular Therapy
Associates in Applied Science and Certificate of Completion -
Clark F. Miller School of Radiologic Technology at CMMC/ CMTC