'The best part of my job is meeting patients, staff and people from all walks of life'
As part of the #OurWXpeople spotlight series, this week we are highlighting the great work carried out by the imaging team. We caught up with Jacquie, scheduler and receptionist, to give us all the details on the department:
Hi Jacquie, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Jacquie and I’ve been working at Whipps Cross Hospital since 2003. I started out as a switchboard operator and I was in the role for eight years. I wanted to grow and develop so I moved to outpatients as a booking clerk and receptionist. I’ve worked in clinics in outpatients, pediatrics and dermatology, to name a few, over the last five years. I now work in imaging and I absolutely love it! I have been named employee of the month in my department and have been nominated for a Barts Health Heroes Award. I am also an inclusion ambassador and an imaging ambassador.
What does a typical day look like for you working in the imaging department?
My day starts at 8am where I book appointments for fluoroscopy. I will phone the patients to arrange this and send a letter in the post. I also send out reports which are completed by our consultants, after patients have had their scans. I usually work on the hot desk from 9am to 5.30pm answering phone calls. Clinicians ring through from wards and departments and ask for imaging requests to be approved and I work with the consultants to obtain this. An example is that a request will come in for a CT scan for a patient on an inpatient ward and I will send this to the consultant who may be working remotely or in the office to approve. Once it is approved a doctor will arrange the patient’s scan.
I schedule appointments for fluoroscopy X-rays. For example barium swallows (an examination used to view the throat/oesophagus and stomach. The patient drinks liquid barium and x-rays are taken as the liquid goes down the throat.) We complete hsyterosalpingograms (a scan to examine fallopian tubes for blockages) and we also complete micturating cystogram on babies under one year old to find out if there is any reflux from the bladder.
We see dental patients in the department too and complete inpatient x-rays requested from the wards. I also work as a receptionist, complete ad hoc tasks and I am a personal assistant to the general manager.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the face to face contact and being on the frontline. The best part of my job is meeting patients, staff and people from all walks of life. I train imaging assistants and student radiographers as well as new administrative employees. I am fondly known as the ‘networker’ or the ‘oracle’ – people often come to me if they have a query because they know I will do my best to find an answer or point them in the right direction.
Has the pandemic affected the way you and the team work ?
We continued to provide services throughout the pandemic in all of our eight modalities: X-Ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Interventional Radiology, Fluoroscopy, Nuclear Medicine and Breast Services.
The consultants I work with wanted me to remain working at the hospital, and coming in to work actually helped my mental health as I was able to interact with people who were all going through the same thing.
People used to stop me in the supermarket or petrol station when I was wearing my NHS lanyard and say what a great job we were doing. I’m so proud to work for the NHS. There were times where it was daunting but I was glad to be here so I could help patients with their scans.
How have you supported each other through this time?
We supported each other by talking about the pandemic and learning from each other’s experiences and narratives. We would comfort each other, laugh, tell jokes and tell stories to help improve our mindsets. I supported my team by buying treats as well.
How would you entice a prospective employee to come and work in the imaging team at WCH?
My motto is that ‘We’re the A team, we don’t do Bs or Cs.’ We have high standards but we are a wonderful, supportive team to work with. I always tell people to put themselves in others shoes. This is one of best places to work, there is a family vibe to the team and we look after each other.
Read our previous spotlight features: