Bryn Echevarria is the new lead technologist in Humboldt General Hospital's Radiology Department. The new position opened up after Echevarria's boss, Radiology Manager Pam Wickkiser, was recently promoted to the position of Administrative Director. In addition to Radiology, Wickkiser has now added Nuclear Medicine, Patient Access, Dietary, Nutrition Services, Housekeeping and Laundry to her administrative duties. Echevarria, for her part, will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Radiology Department-a department where she has worked for the past 25 years.
When Echevarria began working at the hospital in 1989, there was one x-ray room that did plain films and fluoroscopy. "We were a department of two people and the radiologist came from Reno two days a week," she said.
Today, the radiology department supports eight modalities including MRI, Computed Tomography (CT), X-Ray, Vascular Ultrasound, Obstetrical Ultrasound, Cardiac Ultrasound, Mammography and Bone Densitometry.
Echevarria, the one-time x-ray tech, is now certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists after meeting educational preparation standards, complying with ethics standards, and passing a comprehensive exam.
She also has achieved advanced registries in Computed Tomography (CT), ultrasound, mammography and MRI.
Echevarria was also named Humboldt General Hospital's Employee of the Year for 2011. It's that drive to excel that makes Echevarria stand out. "It has been interesting and educational learning all the different modalities over the years," she said. "I think you should enjoy what you are learning; it is much less of a struggle to learn if you do."
In her new capacity, Echevarria is charged with assisting other diagnostic radiologic techs with their duties, ensuring quality and handling difficult situations as they arise. She will also ensure that all equipment is operating effectively, as well as follow established protocols to ensure that image quality standards are met.
She will follow established safety standards to ensure a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff, and she will act as an instructor for students and residents, and perform preceptor duties as.
In short, Echevarria will help carry out the department's three-pronged promise to the community of clinical excellence, premium customer service and advanced technology.
"Bryn will do a great job in this new position," said Wickkiser. "She has been a very valuable asset to this department, this hospital and this community, and we are excited to continue to expand and increase her talents for the benefit of our patients."[[In-content Ad]]
