Leading in Radiology

Radiology plays a vital role in our healthcare system, yet our technologists often felt overlooked and unappreciated as we trudged through the recent pandemic. You could argue that radiology technologists were the forgotten healthcare workers through the pandemic. This required leaders to recognize the importance of bringing humanity and love into our management practices. Our radiology teams needed, and still do need, someone to depend on for support, helping guide them through the complexities and unexpected changes while encouraging them to maintain their focus on quality patient-focused care.

Healthcare has been tried and tested over the past few years, highlighting the significance of leadership in our industry. I feel so fortunate to have found a career working in a field that I am so passionate about and to have the opportunity to provide leadership to the incredible teams that make up diagnostic imaging.

Radiology holds an integral place in the healthcare system. We are a small piece of the big picture and play a vital role in diagnosing and care plan management for our patients. Our healthcare providers rely on us to support their mission to provide the best care possible to our communities.

Radiology is a unique setting where compassionate patient care meets evolving technologies that are constantly pushing the boundaries of medicine. What a privilege it is to lead in such an innovative and exciting environment, guiding teams through complex changes and challenges while ensuring that the focus on patient-centered care remains at the heart of it all.

Collaboration

I believe that leaders can motivate individuals by focusing on their strengths and interests. Demonstrating your faith in their ability to complete tasks and make decisions while avoiding micro-managing empowers teams to grow and think outside the box. I have so much appreciation for the brilliant minds of the technologists that I work with. I value their experiential knowledge, ideas and suggestions. They are the subject matter experts when it comes to patient care in our department. My goal is to promote open communication and approachability so that the technologists in our department feel supported in sharing their ideas and concerns.  

I strive to be inclusive and invite all levels of our organization to discussions and decision-making processes. The department benefits when leaders collaborate with their teams and leverage their knowledge when planning for change and improvements. By fostering an environment that supports opportunities, initiatives, collaborative solutions, and problem-solving, we support critical thinking and the development of new skills. Although I operate with an open-door policy, one thing I work to avoid is collecting complaints.

 I encourage my staff to provide possible solutions when voicing concerns instead of dumping issues on my desk, and I often seek group consensus when determining if change is warranted. We achieve great things by slowing down, listening, and learning through the perspectives of our peers.

I aim to visit each department at least once per day. I find it beneficial for my team and me to maintain a dialogue and work consistently towards establishing a partnership with a shared vision. I read once that influential leaders inspire trust and build relationships, which resonates with me and my leadership style. I am a doer and a fixer, but I know that sometimes it is better to sit back and observe, allowing my focus to shift towards a robust and thriving team rather than reaching for perfectionism.  

Lead the way

Effective leadership is achieved with optimism, perseverance and integrity while encouraging growth and progress in others. As leaders, we must seek out potential in our teams and push them to develop and grow in their areas of expertise. Nothing is more rewarding than bringing new opportunities to my department. Whether it be the opportunity to train in another modality, improve skills, or participate in procurements projects, I appreciate each expression of interest I send out. Every chance to support staff in working towards improving and learning plays a crucial role in building and sustaining a positive culture.

Transparency is another pillar of successful leadership that I embrace in my day-to-day practice. Open communication with my team is a top priority. I did an exercise a few years ago that helped me to identify my core values. Although I questioned the effectiveness at the time, I appreciate it now. Having identified my core values, I see myself falling back on them for support, especially during challenging situations and in planning communication strategies with my team. The values I landed on were integrity, perseverance and love. Try as I might, I couldn’t shake love from my list. It’s who I am, and experience has confirmed it repeatedly as I’ve moved through my career. In difficult situations, I remind myself of my personal and organizational values and lean on them when approaching difficult situations. I try to reinforce fundamental values with my team and use them to demonstrate a constructive approach when dealing with conflicts and issues.

Conclusion

Leadership in diagnostic imaging is complex and requires a delicate balance of vision, strategy, empowerment, and ethics. The constant push for advancing technology creates opportunities and challenges. This makes our role as leaders even more vital in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care and balancing the needs of our team. Looking to the future of diagnostic imaging, there is so much potential! Effective leadership will be the guiding light, revealing the path to excellence and innovation in this critical healthcare field. I think that some people naturally lead, and others follow them. Leaders have a way of sensing what is to come and anticipating appropriate responses to the future. I want to inspire others and encourage them to be their best while pushing their boundaries and growing in their roles.