Career Spotlight- Heart Catheterization Technologist /PFS Regional Leader
PORSCHE RIDEAU LAZARD HEART CATH TECH & PFS REGIONAL LEADER
When we think of the medical field we initially think of doctors and nurses. They are the faces we often see and have grown to love. And while we unconsciously label everyone walking around the hospital in scrubs as a doctor or nurse, we know there are many other careers health care personnel provide. What we don't know are the job titles they hold or the tasks the positions consists of. Today we have the special treat of learning about Porsche Rideau Lazard and her career as a Heart Catheterization Technologist and Primerica Financial Services (PFS) Business Owner. Porsche is from Opelousas, Louisiana where she lives with her husband and business partner Eugene and their daughter Taylor. Read more about Porsche and her careers below!
Heart Catheterization Technologist
Where did you attend school?
Northwestern State University, clinical in Shreveport, La
What was your major and why did you chose it? My major was Radiologic Science. I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field but didn’t really want to be in school for long time to become a physician. I began my undergraduate education as a Pre-Pharmacy major but realized it wasn't for me. My best friend was a Radiologic Sciences major and told me about the program. After learning what it consisted of and when I could complete my studies, I changed my major.
How long was your program?
The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) program is a total of 4 ½ years. I spent two years in Natchitoches for class, then once I was accepted into clinical, I spent 2 ½ years completing clinical coursework in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Were there any professional exam requirements post graduation to work in your field?
Yes, the Radiographer Registry must be taken and passed to work in this field.
Heart Cath Tech is a unique career, how did you get to this career from your schooling as in Radiologic Sciences? I didn’t really choose heart Cath Technologist, it choose me. We had the option of choosing the specialty area we wanted to do our rotation in last semester; I choose CT. In April, I started applying for CT jobs, and got a call back from Regional Medical Center of Acadiana. The Cath Lab manager, Chris Hebert had run across my resume and wanted to interview me. I interviewed and was hired on the spot. It’s very rare that someone is hired straight out school in the Cath Lab, so I thank God and Chris Hebert for that opportunity. Usually, you must have years of experience in x-ray (CT, ultrasound, radiology, etc) to work in the Cath Lab.
How long did it take you to find a job after completion of school/ professional exams? I was hired 1 month prior to graduation. I got hired in April and graduated in May then went straight out of school into Cath lab. I received a full year of on the job training in this specialty area.
What is your current job title?
I am a Heart Cath Technologist at Opelousas General Hospital.
How long have you been working in your current position?
7 years
How does this position relate to your schooling?
We Studied Radiographer in school, job is directly related to what I went to school for in that I had to know not only anatomy but also physiology associated with anatomy. We also have to know physics of x-rays and also how to achieve images that can be viewed in determining diagnosis.
How would you describe what you do in layman's terms? There are two jobs that we preform as a Heart Cath Technologist in the lab. One is what we call the panner, their job is to operate the table with the patient on it, while also rotating the tube in different angles to visualize coronary arteries that are injected by second cath lab technologist whom is scrubbed along side the cardiac physician. The technologist that is scrubbed in with the cardiologist handles the wires, the coronary catheter and contrast injection. Catheters are medical devices that can be inserted in the body to treat coronary disease. I actually prefer being scrubbed in on procedures.
What would you say it takes to be successful in this profession?
As a Heart Cath Technologist you should constantly learn new medicine and be open to learning new technologies in medicine.
What are some things that you do to set yourself apart in this profession?Work Hard, and always stay hungry for knowledge. No matter how much money you make, STAY HUNGRY!!!! That goes for both professions.
What are the common misconceptions about this profession? In Cath lab, people think that we do open heart surgery, but we don’t crack the chest open for this procedure. Cardiac catheterization is a test to check your heart. This test uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter that is inserted into the heart through blood vessels. This test can include a coronary angiogram, which checks the coronary arteries.
What advice would you give someone wanting to go into this profession? Don’t give up when it gets too hard!
What would you say to encourage someone to go into this profession? If you enjoy saving lives, this could be the profession for you! Saving a life is very rewarding. My heart smiles when a patient & their families thank me and the staff for saving their life after a heart attack.
What cautions would you share with someone about this profession? Because we use radiation to visualize coronary arteries in the cath lab, I would advise someone seeking to go into this field to be careful of their x-ray exposure, especially women during pregnancy. Those first three months of pregnancy are crucial so you are not allowed X-ray exposure which means you can not do procedures and are limited to handling office business. After the first trimester, you wear a special pregnancy lead that provides extra protection but its heavier. Everyone is provided with a dosimeter that reads X-ray exposure. If pregnant, you wear a fetal badge that monitors dose to you and your unborn child to make sure you are within dose limits.
How is the work/life balance in this profession? In the cath lab we usually work 40 hrs a week, it depends on case load. We may work 8 hrs one day, then 12 hours the next Monday through Friday. I am required to take call usually twice a week, and every third weekend. We don't work weekends, emergency only, that means the people on call have to come out for emergent cases. I work with two incredible and knowledgeable physicians. I can still enjoy time with my family whenever I'm on call, I just have to be within 30 mins of hospital in case of emergency. We always set time aside to do family things, date night with us two and we also spend time with our friends.
Taylor
Primerica Financial Services (PFS) Regional Leader
What lead to your decision to work with PFS? The opportunity for Primerica was presented to us seven years ago but we had a lot going on at the time and passed on it. Then in May of 2015, we were shopping around for cheaper life insurance and also an investment opportunity and were networked with Collis & Britney Temple through Eugene’s Uncle James Rollins. In the process of getting insurance and investments in place we were presented with opportunity to work for the company.
Are there any educational requirements to work with PFS? In order to sell life insurance you must take a pre-licensing course. With PFS there are two options you choose from for the pre-licensing course. There’s an online course which requires 4 hours of study, or a two day pre-licensing class which the company pays for, it’s usually a Saturday & Sunday, 20 hrs. Some people prefer to have an actual teacher explain the material and some feel disciplined enough to go over material online and study on their own. I chose to take the online course due to my unavailability to sit for the 20 hour class.
If you choose to sell other offerings like certain investment opportunities offered by PFS you must also take the series 6 and 26.
Were there any professional exam requirements to work in your field? Once you complete the pre-licensing course requirement you must take and pass the State of Louisiana life license exam; which the company also pays for. You cannot legally get commission for insurance sales if you're not licensed.
Prior to passing the life exam, you can go on training appointments with a licensed rep. We recommend going on 6 training sales prior to testing.
How long was your program?
I trained for two weeks and did a two week study plan for my life course. My husband got life licensed in June, (1 month) I got licensed in July (2 months). My husband left his six figure income job for this amazing company; I came on part time as partner to help him with getting his agents licensed and also with other miscellaneous things.
What is your current job title? My husband Eugene and I are Regional Leaders- soon to be Regional Vice President in Primerica (PFS investments).
Porsche & Eugene
What are the position levels in this business? The positions from entry level to the top are: rep> district> division> regional leader> Regional Vice President > National Sells director (NSD)> Senior National Sales director (SNSD).
Each level has different contracts & guidelines. Once you get to the Regional Vice President (RVP) contract its a big deal. That contract includes bonuses, stock equity and also ownership (option to sell business).
How long have you been working in your current position?
8 months
What would you say it takes to be successful in this profession? Our Primerica business is growing tremendously every month. Anyone can be successful in this business by being a supportive partner, and knowing the business. Have a strong mindset and don't be discouraged when you hear "no". Remember that "Some will, Some won’t, So what". As my husband says “We are building champions in our business”.
What are some things that you do to set yourself apart in this profession?
Work Hard, and always stay hungry for knowledge. No matter how much money you make, STAY HUNGRY!!!! That goes for both professions.
What are the common misconceptions about this profession?
We are a financial service business, not just insurance. We provide financial planning, retirement options, investments, etc. We are like the Wal-Mart of financial services, we do it all.
What advice would you give someone wanting to go into this profession?
Stay focused and stay positive.
What would you say to encourage someone to go into this profession?
You can have freedom financially and more free time. You can educate yourself on your money and help others to make wise investment decisions to prevent having to work after retirement.
What cautions would you share with someone about this profession?
Some will, some won’t, so what!! Don’t get discouraged, the payoff is worth it. No matter what profession you choose to go in give it your best, work hard. Constantly write down your goals. Do the work necessary to earn success.
How is the work/life balance in this profession?
The great thing about Primerica is that I can work it at my full time job. I work Primerica constantly whether I’m thinking about it or actually making calls, and we’re the CEO’s of our business. It can get overwhelming with our 4 year old daughter Taylor but it’s worth it because we are focused on wealth accumulation. We always set time aside to do family things, date night with us two and also spend time with our friends.
Special thanks to Porscha for sharing with Cultured Creole her profession as a Heart Cath Tech and her new business with PFS. If you are interested in learning more about these careers, Porscha can be contacted at rideauporsche@yahoo.com. Porscha is social and can be found on Instagram @Pearlluxury1908.
Thank you for reading another edition of Career Highlights with Cultured Creole! Don't forget to share us with your friends and family and catch up with us on social media!
