Who is Colin Chambers?

Welcome to my Portfolio!

I am a Medical Radiation Technologist specializing in Nuclear Medicine. Originally from New Brunswick, I spent the first ten years of my career working in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I left my position to accompany my partner (while she studied in Halifax, NS) and be closer to family. I used the time to investigate alternative educational and career opportunities. This led me to MHST601 through Athabasca University as an introduction to the MHST program. My goal is to gain valuable insight and skills to allow me to contribute to the health care system in a manner beyond my current level of comfort and perhaps open the door to a role in healthcare management in the future. For now, I have returned to the Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging field in Saint John, NB as a casual Technologist.

Last summer, my partner and I took advantage of our coordinated time off by driving across Canada coast to coast and exploring as much of this great country as time would allow.

In my down time I stay active by playing baseball and volleyball, coaching high school boys' volleyball, and competing in obstacle course races.

Why am I here?

This portfolio currently serves as the central hub for my work throughout the MHST601 course and will continue to evolve. It contains blogs, links and resources relevant to my career and areas of study. It will grow with me, showing evidence of my journey, and allowing me to express myself and reflect on where I have been.

Thank you for visiting; your feedback is always welcome!

Which Organizations Influence my Role in the Canadian Health Care System?

The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technolgists is the national association for the Medical Radiation Sciences professions. In addition to my Nuclear Medicine specialty, it encompasses the Radiological Technology, Radiation Therapy and Magnetic Resonance professions. Preparing and administering the national certification exams for these disciplines is the foremost objective of this organization, while professional networking, continuing education, provision of professional liability insurance and professional advocacy are also priority functions.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is the national body overseeing all nuclear energy and substances use and upholding standards on behalf of the Canadian public and international regulations and agreements. A structured framework is dictated by Canadian Parliament, but individual regulatory decisions are handled independent of any nuclear industry or government affiliation, and the details and rationales behind findings are made transparent in an effort to minimize biases and produce objective, consistent outcomes.

The New Brunswick Association of Medical Radiation Technologists is the provincial affiliate to the CAMRT and performs similar functions -advocacy, networking and educational opportunities for members. It also serves as the provincial regulatory College, thereby dictating requirements to practice the profession. These include mandates for continuing education, as well as enforcing standards of practice and a code of ethics while additionally representing the public regarding accusations of professional misconduct.

The Medical Sciences Professionals component of the New Brunswick Union of Public and Private Employees serves to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions on behalf of MRTs and ensure that employers are bound to the negotiated terms.

The Department of Health is the branch within the New Brunswick government that coordinates the budget, policies and guidelines that serve as the framework for all health care services and employees within the province. They are led by the Minister of Health (an elected official appointed by the Premier) and work to uphold the governing party's platform commitments as they relate to health care and public health initiatives.