Meet Your Fellow Members
This series celebrates the people behind the profession and offers an opportunity to learn from and connect with MRTs working in a wide range of settings from coast to coast! Every Monday, we’ll introduce you to a different medical radiation technologist from somewhere across Canada. For April, we interviewed some of our volunteers for Volunteer Month! Read a sneak peek at a feature article that can be found in this upcoming edition of CAMRT’s Newsletter 44.1.
| Know someone we should highlight? Let us know at maiello@camrt.ca |
This week’s member spotlight is Jodie Piercey RTNM.
I am currently working as an instructor in the NMED program at SAIT and at EFW Radiology as a casual NM technologist.
Volunteering history with CAMRT (years may be approximate as I am relying on memory)
- NM EVC 2001-2004
- NM Item Writing 2017-2023
- NM EVC current member
- CAMRT AB Advisory Co-Chair 2023-2026
- CAMRT AB Ascent conference program planning for 2024 and 2026
- NM Education Program Planning Chair for 2025 Jasper Conference
- NM Education Program Planning committee member for 2026 Victoria Conference
What initially motivated you to volunteer with CAMRT and join the committee?
Volunteering with CAMRT was something that was strongly modelled for me during my education. My instructors emphasized not only the importance of professional involvement, but also how enjoyable and rewarding it could be. When I first graduated and was working in Calgary, I regularly attended Calgary branch meetings of the AAMRT (Alberta branch of CAMRT at the time). These meetings were well attended and provided an excellent opportunity to stay informed about current issues in the profession while also connecting with friends and colleagues, and this was my first exposure to the strong culture of service within the MRT community.
My first time volunteering with CAMRT came about when I had just begun working at SAIT in 2001, and there was a vacancy on the Nuclear Medicine EVC committee. With encouragement from colleagues, I applied for the position, seeing it as a natural extension of my interest in education and contribution to the profession. I enjoyed the years that I spent on that committee and the people I met.
Looking back, what accomplishments or initiatives are you most proud of contributing to?
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is my involvement in item writing for the certification exam for over seven years. This work involved writing and reviewing examination questions to meet very rigorous and exacting standards. It was challenging and occasionally tedious work, but also incredibly meaningful, as it directly contributed to ensuring the quality and integrity of the national certification process.
I was also proud to support the Jasper conference in my home province! I served as Chair of the education program planning committee for the nuclear medicine stream, as well as presented with a colleague. In addition, I had the pleasure of co-emceeing the conference, which was both a professional highlight and a valuable learning experience.
What skills or competencies have you developed or strengthened through your volunteer role?Volunteering with CAMRT has provided valuable opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from Alberta and across the country, broadening my professional network and exposing me to diverse perspectives within the MRT profession. My volunteer work with certification exams has had a direct impact on my work as an instructor, as my question-writing abilities improved significantly!
Beyond technical skills, volunteering helped me develop many durable and transferable skills, including participating in and chairing meetings, working collaboratively within committees, and contributing to consensus-building and decision-making processes.
What advice would you give to MRTs who are considering volunteering with CAMRT?
Do it! You are qualified, and your perspective truly matters. Many people hesitate because they feel they may not have the necessary skills or knowledge, but that is simply not true. Your skills will be increased through participation, and support is always available. Volunteering is a rewarding experience, and most people who try it find that they enjoy it and choose to continue their involvement. A good way to “dip your toe in” is to participate in conference program planning or item writing, as these are one-time commitments, not multi-year terms.
What has been your favourite experience or memory of volunteering with CAMRT?
The Jasper CAMRT national conference stands out as a favourite experience. It was a sold-out event in an incredible setting, and the overall energy was very positive. While co-emceeing was a bit stressful at times, the audience was fun and supportive, and the sessions were excellent. It was extremely rewarding to see the success of an event that so many people had worked hard to plan.