Megan groenendijk

Radiological Technologist, Island Health

After graduating from Duncan Christian School in 2012, I was uncertain of what my future career was going to be. I did know that I wanted to keep playing volleyball at a higher level and start a Bachelors of Science. Thankfully, I was given a presidential athletic and academic scholarship at Vancouver Island University (VIU) and a spot on their varsity women’s volleyball team.

After three years at VIU I had decided to pursue a Bachelors degree in Medical Radiation Sciences (B.S. MRS) and earned enough prerequisites to be accepted at the University of Toronto (UofT). This was a joint program with the Michener’s Institute of Education at UHN that allowed me to get my undergraduate degree alongside my Radiological Technology Advanced Diploma. Upon completion of this program I took and passed the national certification exam allowing me to be a certified Radiological Technologist in Canada. After some travelling, I began my career as a casual employee at the Cowichan District Hospital (CDH).

However, finishing up the program at UofT/Michener I still was not ready to fully start my career. I decided to continue my academic and athletic pursuits and return to VIU to take a Post Baccalaureate Program, Bachelors of Education and play volleyball again. After completing my Education degree I began Teaching on Call (TTOC) in the Cowichan Valley School District.
Throughout this time I was able to continue working casually as a Radiological Technologist.

Currently, I am working at the Cowichan District hospital in a 0.8FTE permanent line and only when time allows, I casually pick up work as a TTOC. Within my time in Island Health I have been trained at additional sites; Lady Minto Hospital (Salt spring), Chemainus Health Centre, Ladysmith Urgent Care, and the Mill Bay Clinic. As well as, in the Computed Tomography (CT) department at CDH. There are many different opportunities for growth and development within the role of a Radiological Technologist.

I am grateful for the opportunities being a Radiological Technologist allows for my lifestyle. I like helping people and am thankful to be a component in the inter-professional collaboration team that provides care to patients.  I am looking forward to the new hospital and what a future within Island Health looks like for me.

https://www.camrt.ca/ - Regulatory Body across Canada

https://camosun.ca/programs-courses/find-program/medical-radiography-diploma - Camosun Program details

https://www.camrt.ca/radiological-technology/ - list of programs across Canada

Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiation Sciences | Radiation Oncology – University of Toronto MRS degree