Nikki Smith, ARRT (R)(CT), X-Ray Operations Manager, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital
WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital X-Ray Operations Manager Nikki Smith, ARRT (R)(CT), began her career after her education at Pennsylvania College of Technology with a focus in radiology.
ICE Magazine Editor John Wallace recently found out more about Nikki and her goals for the future.
Finding Her Way Into Imaging
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Born and raised in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, currently residing in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
Q: Where did you receive your imaging training/education? What degrees/certifications do you have?
A: I am a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology, where I completed my clinical internship at Williamsport Regional Medical Center, now part of UPMC. Directly after graduation, I was hired into the CT department and received hospital-based training in computed tomography. I currently hold board certifications in both X-ray and CT. Additionally, I have gained clinical experience working in MRI and PET, although I do not hold formal certifications in those modalities.
Q: How did you first decide to start working in imaging?
A: I wish I could say that I aspired to work in healthcare my entire life, but that would be a lie. I have always enjoyed customer service because, simply put, I enjoy being around people. I bartended for four years and loved the constant interaction, communication and opportunity to meet different people every day.
Long story short, I eventually decided to pursue ultrasound because I enjoyed working with people and, of course, babies. However, just one week before classes were scheduled to begin, the program was discontinued due to low enrollment. With my original plan suddenly off the table, I decided on a whim to give X-ray a try. And, well … here we are. What started as a last-minute change of plans turned into a career I never expected but has continued to grow ever since.
What Keeps Her in the Field
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A: I genuinely enjoy people, and I have always had a strong motherly instinct. This profession takes both of those qualities and combines them into one. I can care for people on some of their worst days, with the hope that I can make their experience a little easier and maybe even send them home with a smile.
Even a brief five- or 10-minute conversation gives me the opportunity to learn something about a patient – where they come from, what they are going through, or simply what makes them who they are. It constantly reminds me of how different and individual every person truly is. No day in healthcare is ever the same, and neither is any patient. That is one of the things I value most about this profession.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: My current position allows both my team and me to continuously evaluate and improve our daily workflows for the benefit of our staff and patients. We collaborate regularly to identify ways we can provide the best possible care for every patient who walks through our doors. In my leadership role, I can take those ideas, develop them into practical solutions, and work toward implementing meaningful changes. One of the most rewarding aspects of my position is that I not only get to focus on patient care, but I also get to care for the individuals providing that care. By supporting my team and creating a positive work environment, I believe we can ultimately create a better experience for everyone.
Q: What interests you the most about the imaging field?
A: The imaging field is constantly evolving as technology continues to advance. The amount of information that can be obtained from a single scan, sequence or image is remarkable. In just a matter of moments, medical imaging can provide answers that guide treatment, confirm a diagnosis or completely change the course of someone’s life. Being part of a profession that continues to grow and has such a significant impact on patient care is both exciting and rewarding.
Looking Ahead
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: Prior to joining WellSpan, I helped manage the daily operations of a cancer center. In addition to overseeing the imaging department, I managed several other services and departments under the same roof. Some of the greatest growth in my career happened during my time there. While developing into the leader I am today, I was also discovering the type of healthcare professional I wanted to be.
Cancer patients are some of the kindest and most resilient individuals I have ever had the privilege of caring for. They are facing something unimaginable, yet they often show such genuine interest in the people caring for them. I learned about their life stories, shared countless laughs with them and, in return, they learned about me and my family. The relationships went beyond simply completing an exam or providing a service. Personalized healthcare and individualized care happen every single day.
That experience taught me that healthcare is just as much about human connection as it is about medicine. I will forever be grateful to the patients who trusted me to be part of their journey and for an experience that helped shape both the leader and healthcare professional I am today.
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration with the goal of continuing to advance my career into a director-level position. Moving into this type of leadership role would allow me to become more involved in the bigger picture of healthcare and contribute to improvements on a much larger scale. I hope to use my clinical experience and leadership background to help improve workflows, support healthcare professionals and, ultimately, create better experiences for patients.
As I continue to advance into new leadership roles, however, I hope to never completely step away from direct patient care. My interactions with patients are what initially shaped me as a healthcare professional and continue to remind me why the decisions we make as leaders matter. No matter where my career takes me, I want to maintain that connection to the patients and staff who are directly impacted by the decisions we make.
Fun Facts
Favorite hobby: Anything outdoors, painting/drawing, and spending time with my family
Favorite show: Two small children, a full-time career and schooling don’t allow for much TV watching. I’ve seen a lot of PAW Patrol.
Favorite food: Mexican
Favorite vacation spot: The Outer Banks
One thing on your bucket list: To travel around the U.S. and see the giant, man-made troll sculptures.
Something your co-workers don’t know about you: I come from a family of race car drivers — back in my prime, I even raced with them myself.
Rising Star Nomination
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