The favourite part of the work I do is the patient interaction. Being a small part of a patient’s day and having a positive impact on that small part is really rewarding.
Alexandra Barlow, Central Queensland Radiology Tweet
Having been with IDX since her graduation from QUT five years ago, Alex started her career at IDX as a Radiographer before this year being promoted to CT Modality Lead at Central Queensland Radiology.
Alex was recently awarded a CEO Award for championing several changes within CQR including the installation of a new CT and introducing syringeless injectors. These changes have been instrumental in decreasing patient doses, decreasing scan times, reducing cost, and reducing waste.
Alex demonstrates her commitment to delivering the best possible health outcomes for her patients through her care, innovation, and passion.
Meet Alex!
Alex: My name is Alexandra, however, most people call me Alex. I am 27 years old and have been a Radiographer for 5.5 years. I studied at QUT and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Medical Imaging with Distinction.
I was born in Rockhampton and grew up in Yeppoon before adventuring to the big smoke for university, but after 4 years away I found my way home and that is how I have ended up working for Central Queensland Radiology.
I started with CQR in January 2018 as a new grad where I worked my way up to CT Modality Lead for CQR which I started in February 2022. As part of my role, I oversee all of the day-to-day workings of CT and also facilitate any training in CT and CTCAs.
Alex: For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to work in healthcare however throughout my high school years I realised I didn’t cope well with blood and vomit so being a nurse was out of the question and being a doctor felt a little too far out of reach for me. So when it came to deciding what university degree I wanted to do Radiography felt like the most appropriate pathway for me and I haven’t looked back
Alex:
1. Being instrumental in the training of multiple staff members and upskilling in CT and CTCA. Seeing those who I have trained become amazing radiographers is definitely a highlight of mine
2. Becoming CT Modality Lead is also a career highlight. I have always been passionate about CT and being able to use that passion and excel at my role because of this is a highlight.
3. Being awarded the CEO Award this year
Alex: The world is forever evolving and technology is constantly advancing so it makes me very proud to be able to service our patients with some of the latest technologies. The impact of these advances goes beyond just giving the patients high-quality imaging, but it is also helping our environmental footprint and also saving money on consumables.
Over the short time we have had the new CT machine at QTV, we have been able to do an extra 2 CTCA patients each Tuesday as well as run successful Cardiac lists on a Saturday where we successfully imaged 18 patients. We have also seen a massive decrease in doses, and we have been able to decrease most of our examination times.
The introduction of the syringeless injector has seen a massive reduction in consumable waste and cost, and I was excited to introduce this product to our hospital site this July.
Alex: The favourite part of the work I do is the patient interaction. Being a small part of a patient’s day and having a positive impact on that small part is really rewarding.
It is surprising how something so simple like offering a patient a blanket or reassuring them that they are going to be okay will be the thing that makes their day, and that is the favourite part of the work I do.
Alex: Patients first. Putting the patient above everything is something I do for every patient. Whether that be fitting in a patient if they have just walked in. Or making sure a patient is comfortable; recognising that a patient is feeling vulnerable and upset and being the reassurance that they need to get through the examination.