Alexandra Pölzl, BSc
Alexandra Pölzl works as a radiographer at the Paul Scherrer Institute, one of Switzerland’s largest research institutes. She loves working with patients, taking on responsibility and tackling new challenges.
Key data
Job description: Radiographer
Company: Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
I've worked here since: September 2018
What I do:
The Paul Scherrer Institute is the largest research institute for natural sciences and engineering in Switzerland and is also home to the Centre for Proton Therapy. As a radiographer, I am responsible for conducting radiotherapy treatment on patients and ensuring the quality of the radiotherapy equipment and CT scanners by carrying out periodic quality controls. My field also includes producing moulages and planning images. Working in collaboration with our physicists, I am responsible too for verifying the radiation treatment plans.
Why I love my job:
As part of my job, I love accompanying and supporting people through a very difficult period in their lives and and helping their healing with my specialist expertise. I also value the contact with people who have different cultures and languages, both among the patients and within the interdisciplinary team. The varied field of work with responsibility and new challenges each day make my job exciting.
Important skills in my job:
- Sensitivity
- Communication skills
- Team work
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexibility
- Sense of responsibility
- Conscientiousness
My biggest accomplishment so far:
I am very pleased with every positive feedback from the patients we have treated and who always felt comfortable and in safe hands with us. And I've also been able to successfully use and develop my English and Italian language skills.
How I found my current job:
I found the job by applying for an advertised position followed by an interview and short internship.
What I learned for this job during my studies:
During my studies at FH JOANNEUM, I was able to acquire plenty of hands-on specialist expertise, especially in the fields of radiotherapy planning, carrying out radiotherapy treatment and quality assurance. I was then able to apply this knowledge in my internships, and it has proven very useful in my professional life too. The lectures in pathology and tumours helped me understand the complex development of diseases. The course also taught us about perseverance, accurate working methods and teamwork.
Job prospects in my field:
I would rate the career prospects for radiographers as excellent at the moment. The wide-ranging and practical training open up a variety of fields once you have completed your studies.
I am:
I am a very reliable and fair person with a precise way of working. I maintain friendly interaction with our patients and good collaboration within the team.
About my job:
The profession of the radiographer is very diverse and is constantly developing. For me, it was already clear during my studies that the field of radiotherapy was of particular interest to me, which is why I am very pleased to have gained a foothold here. I particularly enjoy interacting with our patients and working within the interdisciplinary team along with the combination of medicine and technology.
I would like to encourage future students to stick to their own path, set long-term goals and seek to achieve them through dedication and perseverance.