Name: Tyrone Avery Acker, B.S. R.T.(R)
Current Job Position Title: Radiologic Technologist (Radiography, hence the initials behind my name); Clinical Preceptor
Contact Information: www.facebook.com/t.a.acker, avery_acker@hotmail.com
Special skills:
taking x-rays, CPR, first aid, mentoring, writing poetry
Describe your job story:
I was at my hospital during my clinical part of the semester (very first clinical ever) and what I thought was a joke actually landed me a student position in the x-ray dept., working every other weekend. By the time I was a senior, I was working more hours and had more leeway to perform certain exams. So as I was approaching graduation, a position to work as an x-ray tech in the Operating Room opened and I was offered it and accepted it. I don’t work in the O.R. as much as I used to, but I do x-ray exams wherever needed in the hospital. I have been there for 8 years as of 1/6/11. I am also the clinical preceptor over radiography students at my hospital.
To do what I do, I had to enroll in a radiologic sciences (or radiography, x-ray – depending on how it’s listed at that school) and learn how to perform x-ray exams, learn about radiation safety, image evaluation, radiographic physics. My program was a baccalaureate degree program ( I have a B.S. degree in Radiologic Sciences), but some institutions offer a two-year degree, and some, a diploma.
What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
a basketball player, a doctor, an actor, a musician, a track & field Olympian, a writer (it was always changing LOL)
Are doing your dream job?
Not yet – I want to run a successful business, be a published author of several books, and be the guy who x-rays professional athletes at the games when they get injured.
What do you like MOST about what you do?
Meeting different people everyday, and making them feel as comfortable as I can (Kindness goes a long way!) I like challenging myself to perform an exam faster, or making a patient smile about something.
What do you like the LEAST?
Sometimes it can feel like the harder you work, the more people want to abuse your work ethic. Just because I can work hard doesn’t mean everyone else can’t or shouldn’t.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Being an educator of some sort (I’m currently working my Master’s Degree in Adult Education), writing more books, having a business ( I have ideas in mind), creating a scholarshhip foundation to help minorities in college.
Are you happy with where you are in life?
Yes I am very happy, but I feel I am still on the surface of my abilities and talents. There’s more to be done.
What more do you want to do with your life?
Make it more meaningful – not just for myself, but for others to see that my life is not all about me. I am glad that people look up to me now, but I feel like I must do more.
What drives/motivates you?
My faith in God, my “ I have to get this done no matter what” attitude, my curiosity to know more and learn more.
What else do you do?
I write poetry ( I published one book already entitled, “Love Undefined” and I have one coming soon entitled, “The Maturity Factor: Poetry & Life” ), I volunteer at church.
What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
1. Don’t ever give up- build and keep your faith and hope. If you can believe you will make it, then you will make it.
2. Make a plan – keep it realistic. think about what you want to obtain and how you are going to achieve it. Include in your plan a deadline – if you beat your deadline, then you are two steps ahead. If you don’t beat it, you will still be further ahead in your plan than when you didn’t have a deadline to begin with. Deadlines force you to push yourself to go further.
3. Keep a postive attitude
4. Find and/or other skills and talents – I didn’t like literature that much in school, but I found that writing poetry was great stress reliever for me. After awhile, I figured I had nothing to lose by using poetry as a financial outlet (even if it’s a small one). I am a health professional, but I am pursuing an educational outlet, business outlet, etc. Wear as many hats as you can. Go back to school if necessary.
5. As I say in my new upcoming book: “Make success a permanent destination in your future, for once you arrive there, you will never have to re-visit.” – T. A. Acker
Thank you for sharing your talent of writing with the world. There are so many people that need smiles put on their faces. I appreciate that being one of your goals in life:-)
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