At UPMC, we’re an interdisciplinary team made up of many unique roles. From doctors to nurses to imaging technologists and more, everyone works together to provide Life Changing Medicine.
Often, providing world-class health care involves taking a look at not just the external wellbeing of patients, but their internal health as well. This is made possible by UPMC’s team of Medical Imaging professionals, who utilize technology and processes to give care teams insightful visual images of patients’ bodies beneath the skin.
Medical Imaging includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, mammograms, nuclear medicine, invasive imaging procedures and ultrasounds. All of these scans and images provide an in-the-moment look at patients’ internal health. They can provide information necessary for a diagnosis or influence a treatment plan, and they can also be used in preventative care. From assessing broken bones or tumors to monitoring progress during pregnancy or seeing an in-depth look at ligaments and organs, UPMC Imaging Services plays a key role in making Life Changing Medicine happen.
Let’s meet some of the faces that make up UPMC Imaging Services:
Cindy C., UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, Breast Imaging Center
Cindy started her imaging career at UPMC Passavant’s Radiology Department, where she spent eight years as an X-ray technologist. After taking advantage of UPMC’s employee tuition reimbursement program, she earned her Bachelor’s degree. In January 2021, Cindy transferred to UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital Breast Imaging Center with a mammography specialty.
“Last June, the director in the Breast Imaging Center offered me a 4-hour long shadowing opportunity to observe mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast biopsies to see how I liked this specialty. I enjoy the appreciation that a lot of patients have for UPMC’s service, and it’s incredibly satisfying to be a part of this community.”
"I enjoy the appreciation that a lot of patients have for UPMC’s [imaging] service, and it’s incredibly satisfying to be a part of this community.”
Cindy C., UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, Breast Imaging Center
Rachele K., Imaging Services Project Manager, UPMC Presbyterian
Rachele has been with UPMC for nine years, after starting her career as a CT Technologist at an outpatient facility. Several years into her role, she was craving professional development, so she returned to school for her master’s degree. After graduating, she transitioned into the PACS Administrator role at UPMC Presbyterian, where she was responsible for picture archiving and communications systems. Now, she’s the Imaging Services Project Manager at UPMC Presbyterian.
“With the exceptional career ladder developed and utilized in Imaging Services, this has provided me the opportunity to grow my career within UPMC. [As PACS Administrator], I gained a great deal of knowledge regarding the intricate IT systems and applications necessary for great patient care. With the combination of clinical education and experience, IT familiarity, and professional relationships developed, this is where I transitioned into my current role.
The encouragement and support from leadership is truly amazing within Imaging Services. For anyone deciding to work in a different health system or contemplating beginning a new career altogether, UPMC Imaging Services provides staff the opportunity to advance both personally and professionally.”
"For anyone deciding to work in a different health system or contemplating beginning a new career altogether, UPMC Imaging Services provides staff the opportunity to advance both personally and professionally.”
Rachele K., Imaging Services Project Manager, UPMC Presbyterian
Michelle H., Radiologic Technologist, UPMC Northwest
Michelle kicked off her UPMC journey ten years ago with her acceptance into the UPMC Northwest Radiologic Technology Program. While completing her two-year clinical program, Michelle became a CNA in the hospital’s Transitional Care Unit. Once she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Medical Imaging Science, she began her current role as a Radiologic Technologist with UPMC Northwest, where she’s certified in four modalities: X-ray, computed tomography (CT), bone density, and mammography.
“UPMC gave me the opportunity for on-the-job training, allowing me to achieve credentials in each of these modalities. My normal work week may seem chaotic to others, bouncing from one department to the other, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
My passion is helping others – making them feel comfortable, giving them a sense of ease, and simply doing my best to help them understand their tests and diseases and what they can expect next. UPMC has granted me that by training me in these multiple modalities.”
"My passion is helping others – making them feel comfortable, giving them a sense of ease, and simply doing my best to help them understand their tests and diseases and what they can expect next."
Michelle H., Radiologic Technologist, UPMC Northwest
Martin L., Advanced Diagnostic Technologist, UPMC McKeesport
What started as curiosity about X-rays turned into a career for Martin L., Advanced Diagnostic Technologist at UPMC McKeesport. Martin got his first glimpse of UPMC during a two-year clinical program while he was pursuing his associate degree in Science Radiologic Technology. After securing a full-time position after graduating, Martin took advantage of UPMC’s employee tuition assistance program to earn his bachelor’s degree in Medical Imaging. Now, he has his eyes on another degree, with hopes to become a Radiologist Assistant.
“My role is to take quality radiologic images of the internal structure of the human anatomy. I have to assure that all images taken are precise and accurate so doctors can make a proper diagnosis. Being that I am an Advanced Tech, my role differs from normal techs; it includes running a monthly repeat analysis on the X-ray equipment to ensure the machines are at optimal performance and inspecting the lead aprons in the facility to make sure they are up-to-date and properly protecting patients and employees from unwanted X-ray beams…
Most people don’t know that being an X-ray tech is more than just operating radiologic equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes; it is also our role to have compassion and respect for our patients and to keep the patients calm and aware of what is being done by explaining procedures and answering questions…UPMC has given me the chance to do what I love, but also explore the wonderful world of X-ray.”
"It is also our role to have compassion and respect for our patients and to keep the patients calm and aware of what is being done by explaining procedures and answering questions."
Martin L., Advanced Diagnostic Technologist, UPMC McKeesport
Laura M., Lead MRI Technologist, UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital
After earning a degree in biology and kicking off her career as a lab professional, Laura was eager for a more patient-facing role. Looking to bring her love of photography to the medical field, she decided to pursue a career in medical imaging. While she began her career with UPMC in Nuclear Medicine, Laura was cross-trained to help the Imaging Services department with MRIs once a week. Before long, Laura transferred to a full-time role in the department as the Lead MRI Technologist at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, where she has been working for the past year and a half.
“The most rewarding part of my job is helping our patients – they are so thankful, and it feels great to know I’m helping them through their cancer treatments or pregnancy complications, etc. It’s very rewarding helping our patients through breast biopsies, as it can be an extremely uncomfortable, long, and difficult process. I also really love scanning the NICU babies and fetal MRIs to help address health problems that arise at a young age.”
Considering a career with UPMC Imaging Services? Many of our positions are eligible for sign-on bonuses! Browse available opportunities and apply today!
