April 2005 | Vol. 23, No. 4

SVU Member Profile

Shelly Burns, RVT LPN

Manager and Technical Director
Summa Health System
Akron, Ohio

What degrees and credentials do you have?

I received a LPN degree in 1983, and received my RVT credential from ARDMS in 1992.

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

I have been in the vascular technology profession since 1990.

What made you decide to enter vascular technology as a career?

I was an LPN who was looking for a new job opportunity/challenge. There was an opening in the vascular lab for a trainee sonographer. I applied and got the job. I had a year of training within the vascular lab at Summa Health System. I had a second year of experience and obtained my RVT credential in 1992. In 1995, the vascular lab manager relocated and I took on that position.

What do you like best about your current position?

I enjoy coordinating the daily lab activities to keep patient and staff flows efficient. I also enjoy the administrative duties involved which allow me to work with hospital staff to improve services. I also like mentoring new sonographers and students, as we are a clinical site. I also enjoy performing patient testing, which continues to be a challenge no matter how long you have been in this field.

When did you join SVU?

I joined SVU, then SVT, in 2001.

Have you served on an SVU Committee, if so, which one(s) and when?

I have served the SVU Chapters Committee in the following positions: Chapters Regional Advisor 2001-2004, Chapters Co-Chair 2002-2004, and Chapters Chair 2004-present.

Are you a member of an SVU Affiliated Chapter?

Yes, I have been a member of the Northern Ohio Vascular Association (NOVA) since 1993.

What positions have you served at that chapter and when?

I have served as NOVA Secretary in 1993, President-Elect in 2000, President in 2001 and am currently a NOVA Board member.

How do you think SVU and its Chapters can work better together in the future?

SVU has made huge strides in developing its communication network with the Chapters. The new Chapters listserv will allow chapters throughout the country to discuss issues and offer recommendations on processes that have worked for them. My hope is that the SVU Affiliated Chapters will begin to function in a similar manner to provide vascular technologists with a consistent and strong support system across the country.

What do you feel are the biggest issues facing vascular technologists today?

Some of the key issues facing the field today are the aging technologists and work-related injuries due to poor ergonomics. The equipment companies have improved over the past five years by making their machines more functional, but many technologists have been in the field for over 20 years dealing with the big, bulky ultrasound units of the past that were not ergonomically correct. Another issue is the work load. Many labs expect staff to perform >10-12 studies per day. At this pace, the output may be good, but we have to question the quality of the tests.

How can SVU better serve its members in the future?

SVU has done a wonderful job in addressing the needs of its membership. I believe if the SVU leadership keeps an open mind and listens to the suggestions of the many experts in this field, they will never lack for direction.

Any other comments you would like to add about your membership in SVU?

I am proud to be a member of SVU. Every month I am able to obtain an educational update via the e-Spectrum online member newsletter in many different areas such as legislature, mentoring or Chapter news. I also have discovered a wonderful network of people to discuss problems with and receive advice concerning many aspects of running a lab from QA to portable ultrasound units to digitalizing a lab. I also look forward to the SVU Annual Conference every year to be able to speak with well known technologists, such as Marsha Neumyer and Steven Talbot.

What do you do for fun and relaxation when not working?

I belong to a health club. I enjoy biking, gardening and reading, especially spiritual works. I will be a lifelong student and continue to go to college even now. I believe life is there for us and we all just need to find our fit.