10 "Do's" and 10 "Don'ts" When it's Slow

When staff techs and students aren't performing their primary function of taking x-rays, they sometimes struggle coming up with ideas of things to do to remain productive.  You might be at a clinical site that rarely slows down long enough for you to get in trouble, but sooner or later, you will run into one of those low-volume days.  I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't take an opportunity to relax once in a while, but sooner or later, something will need to be accomplished with all the people standing around or people will probably be sent home.

What you decide to do with this time could make a big difference when it comes time to offer a student a job, or during annual evaluations as a technologist.  Here are 10 things that you can do in these moments:

1. Clean and disinfect rooms, wipe down x-ray equipment, portables and c-arms
2. Stock linens and supplies (this will help you get used to where the supplies are located)
3. Organize equipment and supplies to look presentable
4. Check supplies and medications/contrast media for expiration dates and purge expired items
5. Check the crash carts and blanket warmers 
6. Look for depleted oxygen tanks in the department and replace
7. Clean image plates if you have CR systems (have a tech show you how if you haven't done it before)
8. Make sure each room has oxygen and suction supplies ready to use
9. Make copies of any forms that are running low and check to see if printers need paper
10. Review images for quality control and practice critique

To contrast, here are 10 things that you should try to avoid when it's slow.  Don't:

1. Sit down and kick your feet up (and expect a break in 20 minutes)
2. Make a personal phone call in the department
3. Disappear without saying anything - let someone know if you need to step out
4. Engage in gossip
5. Complain about being slow
6. Have sensitive/personal conversations in common areas
7. Play video games on your smart phone or browse social media
8. Bring food into the patient care area
9. Barge into a room with an exam underway - even if you're just trying to help
10. Put KY jelly in another tech's 7-layer burrito and expect them to laugh (true story - wasn't me)

When you're not completely busy, it doesn't necessarily mean the work is finished.  I like to think down time can be somewhat of a reward for working so hard most of the time.  It's up to you to determine where to draw the line between a good reprieve between busy moments, and taking advantage of the situation.  During these moments, try to think about how an Instructor, Manager, or Director would perceive your actions and whether or not you could justify the actions they observe.