introverted personality?

cdrun · Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 2

26 year old male going back to college for a career change. Radiology tech is something I've been thinking about for awhile now, but I haven't worked in healthcare before.

I'm an introvert. If anyone is familiar with the Myers Briggs personality test I'm an ISFJ, which stands for Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging. I naturally want to help people. I'm very compassionate, but I tend to be very shy and reserved in situations that are new or different.

I was looking for information on Radiology Tech schools on the internet, and on one community college program website it said shy introverted people need to reconsider their career choices.

Radiology Tech isn't something I picked from a list and said "I'll try that." I've always wanted a job in the medical field, but never pursued it because until recently I had a decent paying job in the manufacturing industry.

In your opinion what personality traits make a good fit for the job? And would you recommend I reconsider radiology tech because I'm shy.

hjhogle · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:38 pm Post subject:

The best healthcare professionals are not governed by Myers-Briggs or Keirsy.

You'll be a professional -

If you are willing to work hard, every day. If you're willing to put the patient first, every time. If you're willing to work as part of team, if "It's not my job" is not in your vocabulary, and if you're not a whiner ..

welcome to Radiologic Technology.

By the way, Mother Teresa was also ISFJ. What a loss if she'd paid any attention to personality tests.

hjh, RT

wvaio · Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Posts: 82

cdrun,

You pose a unique question. Unfortunately, I feel that I can only answer it with another question. Can you put aside you introversion for the sake of the patient? Professionalism requires the ability to put aside personality traits for the sake of your profession. You must be able to check your baggage at the door.

I have been an introvert my entire life. Almost agoraphobic at times, but the second I walk into the hospital, I turn it off. I completely change my tone of voice, my mannerisms, and my attitude. While it can be a struggle at times, it is very possible. You must realize that shyness and fear are learned behaviors and coping mechanisms. They can be over-come with confidence, persistence, and practice.

The same can be said about extroverts. People that talk too much, must be able to reign it in a bit when they enter the hospital setting. Patients do not need to hear life stories when they come to a hospital.

The only prerequisite that is required to work in the health care field is the desire to help people in their time of need.

I would like to offer you a quote by Henry Ford:
"If you think you can or you think you can't, you will ALWAYS be right."

wvaio

wvaio · Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Posts: 82

Took me a minute to find it, but I would like to add one more quote by Henry Ford that I think is pertinent:

"One of the great discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do. Most of the bars we beat against are in ourselves --- we put them there, and we can take them down." --- Henry Ford

cdrun · Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 2

I loved the quote. Thank you for the responses and insight. I'll be volunteering at a local hospital while waiting for class to start. Hopefully the experience will prove to be beneficial.