Anjolique Fourie

Workplace Overview:

• Ceres Hospital is a government-owned facility and the primary hospital in the Witzenberg district.
• Areas services and patients treated include trauma, resuscitation, clinic referrals, private General Practitioner, ward, pediatric, maternity and orthopedic.
• The radiography team consists of three members: two production radiographers and one chief radiographer. On-call shifts are worked to ensure continuous service delivery.
• On-call shifts involve working every third week for a full 7-day period. Despite the on-call duties, we still maintain an 8-hour workday during these shifts.
• Conventional radiography equipment and a mobile machine is available for use.
• My current role is to serve as an independent production diagnostic radiographer.

Daily responsibilities:

• Perform diagnostic imaging procedures efficiently while adhering to ALARA principles and ensuring patient understanding. Utilize effective communication strategies, overcoming language barriers to provide clear instructions. Position patients accurately for high-quality imaging while prioritizing their comfort and safety. Maintain strict radiation safety protocols for patient and staff protection.
• Manage RIS and PACS systems, handling image uploads, retrievals, and troubleshooting. Provide immediate support in trauma and emergency cases, collaborating with medical professionals for accurate diagnoses and quality patient care. Maintain and troubleshoot imaging equipment, ensuring seamless operations.
• Ensure accurate documentation and record-keeping for all imaging procedures. Make informed decisions and exercise sound judgment while working independently. Resolve technical and procedural issues proactively while effectively prioritizing tasks in a dynamic clinical environment. Communicate clearly with patients, physicians, and healthcare teams to support efficient workflow and patient-centered care.

Other responsibilities:

• Observing quality control test.
• Serving as the department's designated registered first aid responder.
• Assisting with monthly statistics of patients and examinations in the absence of the chief radiographer.

Workplace Overview:

• I worked as a locum for a week at a private radiology practice. I was the sole radiographer in the department, responsible for independently managing all radiographic procedures and ensuring smooth operations throughout my shift.
• These locum shifts consisted of a standard 8-hour shift, during which I independently handled all radiographic procedures using a conventional X-ray machine and provided patient care.
• Specialised x-ray views in accordance with practice protocols.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct diagnostic imaging procedures efficiently while adhering to ALARA principles and ensuring patient education for clarity and comfort. Utilize effective communication strategies to overcome language barriers and accurately position patients for optimal image quality and safety.
• Maintain strict radiation safety protocols while managing RIS and PACS operations, including image handling and troubleshooting. Oversee imaging equipment maintenance and collaborate with medical professionals to support accurate diagnoses and quality patient care.
• Handle administrative documentation, make independent decisions in high-pressure environments, and address technical and procedural challenges. Demonstrate strong multitasking, adaptability, and effective communication with patients, physicians, and healthcare teams in dynamic clinical settings.

Other Responsibilities:

• Billing patients for their X-ray procedures.
• Ensure accurate documentation of all transactions.

Workplace Overview:

• I completed my Community service at Abraham Esau Hospital, a rural facility in the Northern Cape.
• The radiography team consisted of three members: one production radiographer, one community service radiographer and one chief radiographer.
• We worked on-call every second week for a consecutive 7-day period.
• On a typical day, we performed X-rays for patients from clinics, private GP, the ward, maternity, pediatrics, trauma and resuscitation.
• At the beginning of 2021, COVID-19 was a hotspot in Calvinia, which added an additional layer of complexity to our work as we followed strict safety protocols while taking x-rays of patients.
• At Abraham Esau hospital, I worked as a community service radiographer and was often unsupervised, as I was frequently the only one in the department for extended periods.
• The X-ray department only consisted of one digital x-ray machine and a very old mobile machine.

Responsibilities:

• Executed diagnostic imaging procedures with precision while adhering to ALARA principles. Provided patient education to enhance understanding and comfort, utilizing effective communication techniques to navigate language barriers. Ensured proper patient positioning to achieve high-quality imaging while maintaining rigorous radiation safety standards.
• Oversaw PACS operations, including image management and troubleshooting, while delivering prompt assistance in trauma and emergency cases. Conducted routine equipment maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure operational efficiency. Worked closely with medical professionals to facilitate accurate diagnoses and high-quality patient care.
• Managed administrative duties by maintaining detailed records of imaging procedures. Exercised independent judgment and problem-solving skills in high-pressure environments, addressing technical and procedural challenges effectively. Demonstrated strong communication, multitasking abilities, and adaptability in fast-paced clinical settings.

Other Responsibilities:

• Conducting monthly reject analysis.
• Assisting with monthly statistics of patients and examinations.
• Observing quality control tests.

Workplace Overview:

• Practical experience in diagnostic radiography was obtained through part-time training at Tygerberg Hospital over a four-year period. Standard eight-hour shifts were completed, including night and weekend rotations, ensuring comprehensive exposure to various imaging procedures.
• Clinical rotations included Orthopedics, Trauma, Mobile Radiography, General X-rays, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, X-block, Orthopedic Theatre, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Dental Radiography, Angiography, Cardiology Angiography, Mammography, as well as Gastro and Urology Theatre.
• Clinical training included exposure to various healthcare facilities to develop practical radiographic skills. Initial experience involved training at Delft Day Hospital, where foundational knowledge of film X-ray processing was acquired. Additional hands-on experience was gained through an assignment in the Abdominal Surgical Ward at Tygerberg Hospital, assisting nursing staff with patient care.
• Further clinical rotations took place at Karl Bremer Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, and Kraaifontein Day Clinic, providing experience in diverse radiographic settings. A comprehensive logbook was maintained throughout the training period to document practical competencies and skill development.

Skill Development as a students:

• Gained comprehensive hands-on experience in diagnostic radiography within a hospital setting, ensuring accurate patient positioning, image acquisition, and radiation safety. Developed the ability to adapt imaging techniques for trauma, pediatric, and geriatric patients while prioritizing patient comfort and diagnostic quality. Acquired proficiency in operating X-ray machines, mobile units, fluoroscopy, and CT scanners, adjusting exposure factors to optimize image quality.
• Trained in radiation protection principles, adhering to ALARA guidelines, and utilizing protective equipment to minimize exposure. Experienced in high-pressure environments, including emergency, trauma, surgical, and ICU settings, efficiently collaborating with healthcare teams to provide accurate and timely imaging. Gained exposure to contrast studies and special procedures, assisting in fluoroscopic examinations while ensuring patient safety and effective contrast media administration.
• Developed strong patient care and communication skills, effectively managing anxious and non-cooperative patients with empathy. Trained in infection control, manual handling, and ethical practice while maintaining accurate documentation in RIS and PACS. Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities, ensuring high-quality imaging in fast-paced clinical environments.