Matthew Sweeney holds an Associate Degree in Biomedical Electronics Technology and has completed imaging trainings in CT, MR, AX, XP. He is currently an Imaging Specialist III with Crothall Healthcare.
“Matt in my mind is our best imaging engineer in Crothall. He specializes in Siemens CT, MRI, and Cath,” said Eric Massey, Regional Director National Field Service, HealthCare Technology Solutions.
ICE Magazine recently found out more about this imaging service specialist and his plans for the future.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up with five siblings in the small country town of Erin, Wisconsin. I lived in Kentucky for a few years when I started my imaging career, but eventually got back to Wisconsin, which has always been my home.
Q: Where did you receive your imaging training/education? What degrees/certifications do you have?
A: I obtained my associate’s degree in biomedical electronics technology from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Afterward, Siemens hired me, and I went through their modality trainings for Angio and X-ray in North Carolina for six months. I then worked in Kentucky for five years and I transferred to Wisconsin where I was trained in CT and MR. After 10 years, I accepted a role with Technical Prospects and am now with Crothall Healthcare.
Q: How did you first decide to start working in imaging?
A: At first, I struggled with what I wanted to do. At the time, I was a mechanic for heavy-duty construction equipment. I was bouncing around colleges and changing majors. My dad was a director of radiology at a local hospital and knew I liked to fix things. He heard about this role from others at the hospital. He told me about it, and I was sold right away. Electronics have always fascinated me, and the thought of working on high-end imaging equipment made me jump right into the biomedical program at my local college.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A: Repairing a system that is down is always fulfilling for me. Putting that final part in or running the right calibration that fixes a system is a win for everyone, especially when patient care can resume quickly. Keeping these critical systems up and running is its own reward.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: Getting to manage my own schedule and working out of my home has been a huge bonus in my career in imaging. It is excellent for work-life balance. During slower weeks, I can get administrative work done, which makes the very busy weeks and weekends easier to handle. Getting to do something new almost every day also keeps it interesting.
Q: What interests you the most about the imaging field?
A: It is fascinating to see the technological advancements over the years and how equipment is changing and upgrading. This means it’s important to keep your skills fine-tuned and learn the changes in software and hardware to stay relevant.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: Through my years of experience, I have become well-versed in multiple modalities and have become someone others turn to for support. Throughout my career I’ve always been part of a team-first environment, working together to reduce downtime, share knowledge, and keep systems running.
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next 5 years?
A: Right now, my experience is primarily with Siemens equipment, but I’m eager to grow beyond that. Each year, our team takes part in a skills assessment that helps shape our training focus, so we’re always building the right skills to support our hospitals. With access to vendor-led programs and on-the-job training, I’m excited to build experience with other systems like Philips and GE.
Fun Facts
Favorite Hobby: ATVing
Favorite Show: “Justified”
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere with mountains
1 Thing on Your Bucket List: Go to Ireland
Something your co-workers don’t know about you: I have 93 first cousins on my mom’s side.
