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Santa Susana High School

Job Shadowing Research Paper

Karl Garcia
Mr. White
English 12 CP
10-28-2015

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Job Shadowing Research Paper

My Senior Project Intro

For my senior project I decided to Job Shadow someone in their profession. I will be job
shadowing a radiographer. Out of all the different people and different professions I could have
job shadowed for, I choose to job shadow a radiographer in order to gain some experience of
what it is like to be working in the medical field and to gain information about what it is like to
be a radiographer. Another important reason why I decided to job shadow a radiographer is
because I have decided to pursue a career in the medical field and job shadowing someone with a
profession in the medical field is a great way to gain experience on what it is like to work in a
hospital. Job shadowing is when you follow someone while they work and observe the different
things they do in their profession. You observe the work environment and what that person
basically does while he or she is working. Of course there are also many problems I may face
while I job shadow. To successfully job shadow a radiographer I need to learn some of the basic
things that go on in a hospital. I need to learn about nurses and their roles. I will also need to
learn about some of the types of tool that nurses use for their patients. I will also need to know
about radiographers and radiologists and what their roles are in the hospital. Next I will also need
to learn information about the CT scans and the machines that takes the CT scan. In order to
successfully job shadow a radiologist I will need to know these information in order to gain some

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knowledge of what I should expect while I job shadow and the things I might face while I job
shadow.
Job Shadowing
Job shadowing is when someone observes what a person does in their profession to see
what it is like to have a job in that specific profession (Saculles). To start job shadowing, first,
decide who to job shadow, what profession to shadow at, and where it will take place. Once
decided who to job shadow, contact that person and ask them if it will be ok with them to be job
shadowed (Sonza). Job Shadowing is a great opportunity for everybody to gain experience from
a certain profession in which they might be interested in later on in the future (Job Shadow
Experience). There are benefits to job shadowing. While job shadow a person gets to see first
hand what it is like to be in that profession (Sonza). By job shadowing in a particular profession,
there are advantages gained for future interviews because the person who job shadowed will be
able to provide knowledge not known by competitors (Job Shadow Experience).
There are a few tips that should be known for those planning to job shadow. Question
that might be asked should be prepared ahead of time (job shadowing program). When people
are working, most often they are busy, so they may end up forgetting to tell some information,
which is why it is up to the person who is job shadowing to ask the question that they want
answered (Saculles). Especially in a hospital, something might have happened while that nurse
or doctor was working and they forget to talk about that experience, what they did, and what they
learned, because they were too busy to mention it (Sonza). Another tip that is important is, before
the first day of a job shadowing experience, prepare and plan what things to discuss with the job
shadowing mentor (Job Shadow Experience). A person preparing to job shadow should not only
create questions they want to ask but also in general the person should list things that they want

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to talk about and learn from their mentor (Sonza). Lastly, another tip to know is, When deciding
what to wear, dress in the same way like those who are in that workplace (job shadowing
program). If a person was going to job shadow an engineer they wouldnt wear scrubs like nurses
(Sonza). If the person who was going to job shadow doesnt have an idea of how people in that
profession dress, they should contact their mentor in and ask them personally on what to wear
during the job shadow session (Saculles).
Problems That Occur
No matter how well someone prepares when they job shadow the chances of facing
problems during the job shadowing session are still there. A few problems may occur before,
during, or after a job shadowing session (Saculles). The person job shadowing should realize and
understand that their mentors might be stressed out at work which can cause them to be cranky
and be easily irritated (Sonza). Another problem that may occur is that an emergency might
happen. This problem only applies to certain profession such as working in the hospital
(Saculles). In the future, when a person has a career in nursing already they may realize that they
career they choose isnt the one right for them. Sometimes new nurses report discontent
relationships with their coworkers, managers, colleagues, and complain about the insufficient
time with their patients (Twibell). Another problem that may occur is, Nursing is known to be a
stress filled profession. Nurses experience stress because of the amount of work they have to do,
the decisions they have to make, and dealing with many different types of patients (Jennings).
People job shadow in order to avoid problems like these (Sonza). Job shadowing is highly
recommended for new nurses before they start working so they can experience a particular field
and gain knowledge of the workload, role expectations, and environment (Twibell). Also Job
shadowing is one of the best ways to gain knowledge and experience in the profession (Saculles).

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Nurses
Nurses play an important role in a hospital (Saculles). First of all, if a person is interested
to be a nurse and is pursuing to have it as a career, they should job shadow a nurse (Sonza).
When a person job shadows a nurse, the person gains exposure to the different work
environments that a nurse goes through (ABSN). To gain knowledge about the different work
environments that a nurse goes through, the person job shadowing the nurse should have some
knowledge about nurses roles in the hospital (Saculles). When a patient is in a hospital doctors
spend around an hour with a patient ,but nurses are expected to have a constant presence at the
bedside of the patient (Nursing and Patient Safety). In a hospital there are more nurses than
doctors. It is the nurses role to check up on the patient every few minutes while they are still
recovering (Saculles). Nurses are expected to be expert on knowing the patients past health
history and health practices. The family and the patient themselves should have some knowledge
of the disease and treatment, nurses are expected to be aware of this (Rieger). Nurses have a
huge role when working in the hospital because sometimes the doctors are just way too busy to
read everything about the patients health condition, which is why it is up to the nurse to read it
and explain it to the doctor (Saculles).
Nurses use a variety of tools in a hospital. Two of the most commonly used tools are the
stethoscope and the sphygmomanometer (Ramos). The stethoscope is used to hear the patients
heartbeat. Stethoscopes are used in the medical field to assess sounds within the body which
includes lungs, veins, arteries, and the heart (Stethoscopes for the ADN students). The
sphygmomanometer is also one of the commonly used tools (Saculles). The sphygmomanometer

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is an instrument used to measure arterial blood pressure (Joerger). The Sphygmomanometer has
a variety of parts: the cuff, valve, inflation bulb, aneroid manometer gauge, and artery position
indicator level (Sonza).
Sphygmomanometer
Parts

Description

Cuff

Placed around the upper arm.

Valve

Used to release the air in the cuff.

Inflation Bulb

When squeezed this adds air inside the cuff which causes the cuff to
tighten.

Aneroid Manometer
Gauge

Used to indicate the blood pressure.

Artery Position
Indicator Level

Located in the Cuff, used to indicate how to properly place the cuff
around the upper arm so that the artery position indicator is above an
artery.

(Ramos).
How To Properly Use a Stethoscope and Sphygmomanometer To Take Blood Pressure
Steps

Instructions

Wrap the cuff around the patient in a way that the artery position indicator is near and
top of an artery and place the stethoscope next to the artery position indicator.

Place 1 or 2 fingers on the artery on the wrist and keep squeezing the inflation bulb
till there is no pulse.

Look at the aneroid manometer gauge and raise it by another 10 by squeezing the
inflation bulb.

Turn the valve to release the air inside the cuff and listen for the first beep and the
last beep while looking at the aneroid manometer gauge.

The number in which the first beep and last beep was heard, is what the blood
pressure is.

(Sonza).

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Radiographers and Radiologists
Radiographers and Radiologists are also jobs in the medical field. Radiographers are
people who work with medical radiation equipment and various techniques to provide
radiographic images of the body (diagnostic radiographers). Images created through X-rays,
MRI, PET and CT scans are examined by radiologists (What is a Radiologists?). The
Radiographer is in charge of taking the X-rays, CT, MRI, and PET scans. After the x-rays and
scans have been done, the radiologists takes those images and uses it to diagnosis and treat
diseases and injuries (Saculles).
CT Scans
There are a lot of information someone should know in advance about CT scans if they
plan on job shadowing a radiographer that specializes in CT scans (Saculles). CT Scans uses Xrays to obtain images and pictures in very fine slices through the part of the body, so that the
doctor can examine them (Mckenzie). A patient about to receive a CT scan are given a few
specific instructions on what to do before, during, and after getting a CT scan (Saculles). One of
instructions given to patient is about fasting, which is generally not required unless a contrast dye
will be used. A patient should ask their doctor for specific instructions (Computed Tomography
(CT or CAT) Scan of the Spine). A patient will be asked to remove any jewelry, watches, and any
other items that they are wearing that contains metal (CT Scan of the Abdomen). A patient
receives a CT scan for different reason and also in different areas of the body (Sonza). CT scans
are taken so that the doctor, radiologist, can examine the inside part of the body and diagnose any
problems that a patient is unaware of (Saculles).

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Why get a CT scan and How long does it Take?
When a patient gets injured and has a broken leg or a broken arm, they get X-rays to see
the fracture in the bones (Saculles). A person gets a CT scan on their Abdomen when they have
the following symptoms: pain, bowel changes, abdominal injury, unexplained fever, and blood in
urine or stool (CT scans of the abdomen). People would have a CT scan of their spine to assess
the spine for tumors and other lesions, herniated disk, extent of injuries, structural anomalies
(Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan of the Spine). The duration of the CT scan differs
based on who is receiving a CT scan and what area of the body is being scanned. Having a CT
scan on the chest usually takes about 30 minutes, this includes the preparation time (What to
expect during a Chest CT Scan). Pets receiving a CT scan take longer. A CT scan for a pet can
take 30-60 minutes (Advanced Veterinary Imaging Direct). A CT scan on the abdomen or pelvis
can take up 90 minutes. The scan itself only takes a few minutes, but patients will be given a
drink called contrast to highlight the stomach and intestines which takes up to 60 minutes to
arrive at the proper location (CT Scans).
Risks To CT Scans
There are a couple of risk when taking a CT scan (Saculles). It is recommended to know
and keep a record of past history involving radiation exposures (Computed Tomography (CT or
CAT) Scan of the Spine). Risk of radiation exposures exist when taking a CT Scan. Patients
should be aware of radiation exposures (Saculles). To minimize risks from radiations, special
technicians regularly maintain and calibrate the Machines used for CT scans (Mckenzie). If a
patient is not feeling well after a CT scan of the Abdomen and the patient had contrast dye and
experiences weakness, difficulty of breathing, nausea, and swollen itchy eyes, the patient should
contact their doctor right away for further instructions (CT Scan of the Abdomen). Some patients

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dont notice the side effects until they left the hospital after the CT scan. Other patients dont
notice the side effect until they arrive in their homes (Saculles). If a patient arrives at home and
starts to experience pain and redness at the IV site, the patient should contact their physicians
right away (Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan of the Spine). Although the side effects
are minor ones, a patient should be aware of it ahead of time and should know the instructions
ahead of time (Saculles).
Conclusion
After I have job shadowed the radiographer, who is also my mentor, I should say Thank
you in person and send a thank you card to the person that allowed me to job shadow them in
their profession (Student Job Shadowing Information). A thank you card is necessary just to
show my appreciation for my mentor that he took the time to allow me to job shadow even
though he may already be busy enough with his work and have a lot of other responsibilities. By
using this research, I will be able to avoid problems while job shadowing because I will be
prepared. I learned information such as what to wear and what to do. I also learned about some
of the equipments I will see and what those equipments do. Now I know about the roles of nurses
and radiographers. I will use what I have researched so that my job shadowing sessions will go
smoothly. I will hold onto the knowledge and experience I have acquired during the job
shadowing session so that when I pursue a career in the medical field in the future, I will already
have some experience of what it is like to be working in the medical field.

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Work Cited
ABSN, Roseman. "5 Reasons to Job Shadow a Nurse | Roseman University." 5 Reasons to Job
Shadow a Nurse Comments. 2 Jan. 2014. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.
Apker, Julie. Front-Line Nurse Manager Roles, Job Stressors, and Coping Strategies in a
Managed Care Hospital 50.2 (2002). Print.
Career and Professional Development Wake Forest University. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan of the Spine University of Rochester Medical
Center. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
Computed Tomography (CT Scans). University of Minnesota. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
CT Scan. Markham Stouffville Hospital. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
CT Scan of the Abdomen. Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
"Diagnostic Radiographers." Ministry of Health Singapore. 10 July 2014. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
Frankel, Jeffrey. "NBER International Seminar on Macroeconomics 2005." Ed. Christopher
Pissarides. Shadow Sorting 3.0-262-06265-8 (2007): 40. Print.
Hakansson, Ola. "Shadowing and Other Techniques for Doing Fieldwork in Modern Societies."
A Call for a Symmetric Ethnology, or Why a Traditional Ethnography Is Not Enough Anymore
(2007): 7-25. Print.
Jennings, Bonnie. Work Stress and Burnout Among Nurses: Role of the Work Environment and
Working Conditions. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses.
Web. 29 Oct. 2015

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J. Man, Pauline. "Developing Nurse Leaders: A Program Enhancing Staff Nurse Leadership
Skills and Professionalism." 35.4 (2011): 306-12. Print.
Job Shadow Experience. University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Web 15 Sept. 2015.
Job Shadowing.The American University in Cario. Web. 15 Sept. 2015.
"Job Shadowing - What Is It and How Does It Work?" State College of Florida. Web. 15 Sept.
2015.
Joerger, Tornsten. Sphygmomanometer. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
McKenzie, Jason. "Computed Tomography (CT)." Inside Radiology. 1 May 2009. Web. 29 Oct.
2015
Nursing and Patient Safety. Patient Safety Network. March 2015. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
Ramos, Nash. Should I go to Med School and be a Doctor? Personal interview. 11 Oct. 2015.
Rieger, Paula. Role of the Oncology Nurse Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine. Web. 29 Oct. 2015
Saculles, Brian. "Radiographers." Personal interview. 25 Oct. 2015.
Sonza, Kevin. "Why Should I Attend Med School?" Personal interview. 10 Oct. 2015.
"Stethoscopes for ADN Students." Health Sciences. Shasta College, 8 Oct. 2008. Web. 17 Sept.
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Twibell, Renee, Jeanne St. Pierre, and Doreen Johnson. "Tripping over the Welcome Mat: Why
New Nurses Dont Stay and What the Evidence Says We Can Do about It." 7.6 (2012): 1. Print.
What is a Radiologist? American College of Radiology. Web. 29 Oct. 2015

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What to Expect During a Chest CT Scan. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 29
February 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2015