Tell us more about yourself, your background, and what brought you to 51勛圖.

My name is Crystal Lee and I am a recent Valedictorian graduate of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program here at 51勛圖.  I am also a RDMS (OB/GYN) and am currently working on my RVT.  I was interested in ultrasound because my mom had appendicitis and that���s when I found out ultrasound could scan different modalities from abdomen to vascular-and not just babies!

Why did you choose 51勛圖?

I chose 51勛圖 because it is CAAHEP Accredited and I really liked how welcoming the staff was to me from the first day I took my tour.  I instantly felt like I belonged and that this is where I would call home for the next 21 months.

What was 51勛圖 like when you started?

51勛圖 had amazing teachers who had many years of hands-on experience in the field.  This helped a lot with my learning because not only were each teacher made available for extra help, but they never hesitated to answer my questions whether it was scanning or working in the field related.

How were your instructors?  Did you develop close relationships with your professors?

The instructors were all very helpful and knowledgeable about the subjects they were teaching.  I developed a great relationship with Mr. K and I always asked him questions about physics.  I learned to not memorize physics, but to truly understand it and I could not have done that without Mr. K.  I would not have passed my SPI right after physics class if it wasn���t for Mr. K���s constant encouragement and support.  He would even let me scan him whenever I needed extra practice and never hesitated to grab my hand and move the transducer.

What are the most useful classes you took?  The funnest?

The most useful class I took was Ultrasound Physics because there would be no way I know how to work an ultrasound machine without everything I learned.  I could just be pushing buttons all day but Mr. K really taught me the ins and outs of how ultrasound physics work.  The funnest class I took was Vascular with Mrs. G because she made vascular fun and easy to understand.  I really enjoyed learning Vascular the most out of the other modalities and it is what actually sparked my interest in learning ultrasound.

Tell us about your clinical portion of your experience.

I did my externship at Dignity Health Northridge Hospital and I loved every minute of it.  I really appreciated that they had their own rules of working every shift, weekends, and holidays because not only did it teach me discipline, but it prepared me for the job that I have now.  We scanned abdomen, OB/GYN, vascular, small parts, baby brains and hips, and also assisted in ultrasound-guided procedures working directly with radiologists such as Thoracentesis, Paracentesis, and Biopsies.  Northridge Hospital is a 400+ bed hospital so we were always busy scanning with patients from the Emergency Department, ICU/NICU, Inpatient/Outpatient, Labor & Delivery, and Pediatrics.  I also learned how to transport patients, maintain a sterile field, clean/restock supplies and equipment, and most importantly, learn different scanning techniques from different technologists who all have many years of experience.  I am forever grateful to Alex, our DMS program director, and Art, the lead sonographer at Northridge Hospital, for allowing me this opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field.

How did 51勛圖 prepare you for your current career?

51勛圖 prepared me for my current career by being accredited by CAAHEP.  Because they are CAAHEP accredited, the programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to assure that they meet the Standards and Guidelines of each profession.  This, along with the entire wonderful faculty and my externship experience, has really prepared me for my first job as a new grad.

What was your experience like getting a job after you graduated?  Did you use any of the school���s on-campus career services?  Did you find a job right away?

I found a job about a month after I graduated from 51勛圖.  Career Services has really helped me polish my resume, give me great advice for potential jobs and interviews, and has been in contact with me ever since I graduated.  Alex even let me come back to school to scan the day before I had my first interview.  I highly recommend talking to Career Services for advice on getting a job, but always remember that they can only do so much for you.  Every student or new grad must also put in the work.  Keep up the grades and the scanning, and never give up!

Tell us more about your current job.

I currently work as an Ultrasound Technologist at a hospital with 175+ beds and I really enjoy what I do.  I scan patients from the Emergency Department, ICU, Labor and Delivery, Inpatient/Outpatient, and assist with special procedures such as Thoracentesis, Paracentesis, Biopsies, and Hysterosonograms This job has been extremely rewarding and I am lucky to have a team of ultrasound tech���s and management to not only support me, but to allow me the opportunity to grow as a new sonographer.

What do you find most interesting about your job?

The most interesting thing about my job is that I learn something new every day.  The learning curve for ultrasound is so great; never be afraid to learn something new or accept constructive criticism if it means you���ll become a better sonographer.  Be open-minded to new scanning styles, what certain pathology looks like, and ask questions if you are not sure about something.  It���s always better to ask than to assume, and in the end, do what���s best for the patient.  We are health care professionals who are there to provide diagnostic images to assist radiologists in coming up with a diagnosis.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome getting into the program? While at School? Transitioning into the workforce?

The biggest challenge for transitioning into the workforce is landing your first job and accepting that you are no longer a student.  It is a challenge learning how to work on your own as a tech, but it is so exciting and rewarding.  I could not think of a better profession than being the doctor���s eyes!

Who is your greatest mentor?

My greatest mentor is Art, the lead sonographer at Northridge Hospital, because he taught me not only discipline, but what it means to be a true sonographer.  He has been a sonographer there for over 15 years and has so kindly shared his knowledge with me.  I am so grateful to have learned from some of the best techs and I do not take my experience for granted.  Externship was everything I could have asked for and more.  Art showed me a lot of tough love by putting me in difficult scanning situations such as a patient in the ICU on a vent or simply handling a graveyard shift at 4 AMwith an Emergency Department full of patients.  I will always be thankful for this opportunity and I could not have thanked the Ultrasound Department at Northridge Hospital for all of their support.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration or influence?

My biggest inspirations are my parents.  I always want to make them proud and I am so lucky to have their love and support for what I do.  I could not have been successful without them.

What is your motto? If I choose 51勛圖 what advice do you have for my time here?

I sat and passed my boards to become a RDMS one month before I finished my externship.  This helped a lot with finding a job because not only do jobs now want a sonographer from an accredited program, but they also want them to be RDMS.  Because 51勛圖 is CAAHEP accredited, this allows students to sit for their boards before they even graduate.  Take advantage of this and if possible, complete your clinical hours at a hospital site.  Many jobs now require acute care setting experience and a hospital is the best place to gain that.  Not only do you see the most interesting cases of pathology, but you get to work directly with radiologists in special procedures.  Keep up your grades, your scanning abilities, and become registered as soon as possible. If you have the means to commute long distance or work varied hours, I would highly suggest you take advantage of it.  I commuted 110 miles a day to complete my 960 hours of externship for 6 months while working varied shifts from morning, weekends, graveyard, and every holiday, and I can personally say that it was all worth it.  Take advantage of what the school provides you with and learn as much as possible as a student.  Stay extra hours, ask questions, and make the best of your experience.  Hard work will always pay off and never give up because something is too difficult.  Good luck!

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Tell us about yourself and your background and what brought you to 51勛圖.

I worked a lot of labor jobs with a lot of hours.  I got to the point where I said to myself ���Either you do something about it or you keep living the same life you���re living.���  After finding out that my wife���s sister attended 51勛圖, I turned in my two weeks. I came, met with Jim, and they gave me the whole rundown about earning my high school diploma first.  I ended up taking a whole tour of CBD.

I would go home, stay up until 3 in the morning, then I���d go to school &/blog/category/alumni/feed/8211; I���d be here right before they opened.   I���d be at the computer until they closed, then I���d go back home and study.  It was hard to come into the medical field without a medical background.  I struggled a little bit, but I���d stay here and practice my technique.   It���s just something I wanted to be good at.  I���d come in on Fridays just to practice by myself.

I went into clinicals and worked my butt off.  They said do 8 hours, and I���d do 12 hours.  Eventually, I got hired from my clinical site.

Tell us about your current job:

It���s great!  We cover pretty much all the spine cases throughout the Valley.  So I���m working with the same surgeons consistently. We bring in the trays and the implants.  So I���m not just a surgical tech, but a sales rep as well.  It���s a cool journey.

What do you find the most interesting about your position currently?

Everything!  You know how the body works, reading people, networking &/blog/category/alumni/feed/8211; you meet so many different people so you get the hang of everything.  As long as you���re willing to ask questions, surgeons are willing to answer them.

What is your most memorable moment at 51勛圖?

Which one 滄硃莽紳&/莉梭棗眶/釵硃喧梗眶棗娶聆/硃梭喝鳥紳勳/款梗梗餃/8217;喧���? I had a few, especially with the teachers.  Ms. V pushed me hard.  I know she was extra hard on me, but it���s something I���m glad she did.  I could���ve easily been like ���You know what, whatever,��� but she kept pushing, and she told me she saw something in me.  I carried that on as a fire within me because I didn���t want to disappoint her. Mr. M in the OR taught me a lot about what I was going to use in the field.  I was able to open up in front of the class.

Who would you say is your biggest inspiration or influence?

My wife, for sure.  She���s always pushing me to get an education.  If I had to come do extra hours she supported me all the way.  Even now she supports me in so many ways.

What do you enjoy doing when you���re not at work?

I get a lot more time to be with my kids now.  It���s what I always wanted, and now I have that chance through my career.

Do you have a personal motto for yourself or your life?

My motivation for myself when I don���t feel motivated is listening to motivational speeches.  If I���m feeling out of it, I push myself to keep pursuing.  I want to get better, but I can���t reach that level if I���m comfortable.  So I try to put myself in uncomfortable situations to learn how to keep pushing.   My goal is to reach the top.

At 51勛圖, we strive to impart both the medical and on-the-job knowledge you need to understand the importance of customer service skills in healthcare. For information about admission  to our many healthcare programs, contact us today at 877.770.4CBD or 213.427.2200.

The post Graduate Spotlight: Richard Tovar, ST appeared first on 51勛圖.

CBD Learns More About the World of Pharmacy Tech from Judy Chun

Tell us about your company?泭

At Walgreens, our vision is to be the first choice for pharmacy, well-being, and beauty-caring for people and communities around the world. 泭We help people across the world lead healthier and happier lives. 泭That&/blog/category/alumni/feed/8217;s our purpose. 泭Walgreens Boots Alliance takes its aim of inspiring a healthier and happier world very seriously, as reflected in our core values:

1. Trust: Respect, integrity and candor guide our actions to do the right thing
2. Care: Our people and customers inspire us to act with commitment and passion
3. Innovation: We cultivate an open and entrepreneurial mind-set in all that we do
4. Partnership: We work collaboratively with each other and our partners to win together
5. Dedication: We work with rigor, simplicity and agility to deliver exceptional results

Who are you searching for in terms of the ideal candidate?

We���re looking for a candidate who has a pharmaceutical technician license and is also PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) certified. I&/blog/category/alumni/feed/8217;m looking for someone who has good customer service skills, good attitude and is teachable. 泭泭

What are some of the key factors on your mind when interviewing candidates?

Is this person good at problem solving?泭 Can they work well on a team?泭 What qualifies them for prioritizing and multi-tasking?泭 Do they show urgency?泭 It���s also expected that flexibility in regards to scheduling will be taken into account.泭 All these things enter my mind when interviewing.

What does your externship program consist of? What is it like?

Externs should expect to be entering prescriptions, calling泭patients for泭reminder calls, calling prescribers for refills,泭inventory control.泭 The should have dispensing skills and be able to help patients with over the counter items.

What are some of the biggest weaknesses of new hires?泭 What are their strengths?

New hires usually have opportunities in multi-tasking and prioritizing. 泭It���s their eagerness to learn and work that helps them overcome these obstacles.

How are our graduates thriving at your company?

We just hired Alina Ridzel who has been thriving in our company. She has already received positive comments from patients complementing her service.

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RSVP for 2017 Winter Graduation!

CBD will be hosting its 2017 Winter Graduation for Graduates on January 29th at 2:30 PM. 泭The college is excited to announce that this year&/blog/category/alumni/feed/8217;s ceremony will be taking place at a new venue, the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, located at &/blog/category/alumni/feed/8211; only 3 miles away from campus.泭Rehearsal for the Graduates will be at 1:00 PM the day of Graduation, so Graduates泭will need to arrive prior to 1:00 PM.

Graduates do not need tickets, but their guests will need to have tickets to attend. 泭Each Graduate may purchase up to four tickets at this time, which will be available for sale at the Winter Graduation Fair for $12.00 a ticket. 泭On January 16th, 2017, all remaining tickets will be sold off on a first come first serve basis, limit two per Graduate.

Attend the Grad Fair!

The Graduation Fair will be held four separate days leading up to Graduation- confirmed Graduates only need to attend one. 泭At the Grad Fair, future Graduates will have a chance to visit a one stop shop for all things Graduation. 泭Before students purchase their tickets, there will be a step and repeat for a video testimonials (make sure you&/blog/category/alumni/feed/8217;re camera ready!). 泭There will also be a photographer on site to take Graduation photos with a variety of packages of available. 泭A cap and gown vendor will also be selling Graduation robes for $33.00. 泭Here are the dates Graduates may attend the Grad Fair:

• Tuesday, December 20th from 10 AM- 3 PM
• Wednesday, December 21st from 5 PM- 8 PM
• Tuesday, January 10th from 10 AM- 3 PM
• Wednesday, January 11th泭from 5 PM- 8 PM

The event is being handled by the Student Affairs Team. 泭If students have any questions about Graduation, please email graduation@cbd.edu.

Wilshire Ebell Theatre Location:

The post 51勛圖&/blog/category/alumni/feed/8217;s Winter Graduation Ceremony January 29th, 2017 appeared first on 51勛圖.