Page 120 - Port Douglas Magazine 35

10

QUESTIONS

with
JIMMY HILTON

We have a chat with “When I’m not on call
Sonographer and for the hospital and the
Radiographer at weather is good, I like
Mossman Hospital,
Jimmy Hilton to sneak out for an early

morning fish/dive on the
reef with some mates.

We are so fortunate
to have the reef at our
backdoor”

7. What attracted you to Douglas Shire above other
destinations?
I love the rural lifestyle here. There is a real community feel – I
know that if I’m ever in need, my neighbours won’t hesitate to
help. When I’m home on my property I feel a hundred miles
away but I’m actually just a quick drive into town, which is
The Hilton Family, Kylie, Nova, Jimmy, Cody and Mietta necessary when I’m on call for the hospital. The Douglas Shire is
surrounded by reef, rainforest, waterfalls and mountains. There
is always something to do outdoors. I wanted that adventurous
1. What inspired you to become a Radiographer ultrasound services available. Personally, I find and exploring a new destination. Locally, I like lifestyle and wide-open spaces for my kids to grow up in.
/ Sonographer? this very challenging not being able to help searching out the many great mountains and
somebody or find a diagnosis for a patient’s water falls throughout north Queensland and
I grew up in a remote area in southern NSW, symptoms. On the other hand, this is what spending weekends up at Lake Tinaroo with our 8. Who inspires you and what excites you about future
working the farm throughout my schooling attracts me to this hospital and provides great ski boat. developments in your field?
life. My parents had always emphasised how job satisfaction diagnosing pathologies with
important it was to gain a career, travel and limited resources available. The technology in medical imaging continues to advance and
experience life while I was young. I could I enjoy learning alongside it. Images are clearer and it’s much
always come back to farming later when I had 5. Any advice to those thinking of pursuing a faster to get results than it has been in the past. Professionally,
career in Healthcare?
some more life skills. My mum was a nurse and 3. What does your perfect Sunday look like? I have worked with some amazing colleagues throughout
encouraged me to pursue a career in health In health there are so many professions to Australia and internationally. It helps to have people at work
care. Medical Imaging sounded appealing and I’m an early bird, so I’m always up at dawn choose from and then within a lot of disciplines who push you to do your best. I am inspired daily by the
that inspired me to work hard at school gaining either training or getting some jobs done on my there are more specialties. If you’re passionate people I work with at Mossman Hospital. We have a great
good academic results to get into university. property. When I’m not on call for the hospital about helping people, there will be a career for team of doctors, nurses, admin, operational and allied health
After working in radiography and travelling and the weather is good, I like to sneak out you. I think a big challenge in healthcare is that professionals.
Europe for a few years I decided to put my for an early morning fish/dive on the reef with as much as we empathize about our patients, we
head down and further my studies to become a some mates. We are so fortunate to have the must always stay objective. Otherwise, when
sonographer. reef at our backdoor. After these adventures, I you get home, the brain can’t leave work behind 9. Any cases that have presented an interesting challenge or a
like to spend some quality family time with my and that is exhausting. funny story you can share?
amazing wife and three wonderful children.
2. What is one of the biggest challenges Being one of the few male sonographers in the area, I was asked
working in your field? 6. Personally, what attributes have helped you by my colleagues in Cairns to do a presentation on ultrasound
4. What is one of your favourite holiday succeed in your role? of fractured penises. It was educational, but I made sure it was
As with most working environments there are also entertaining. Word got out, and I was asked to present
always limitations within the scope of practice. destinations - past or future? I would describe myself as a people person who down in Brisbane then a few more times at the national
Mossman being a small rural hospital does I can’t possibly nail that down to one likes to help others. I am hard working and conference and even got to present it overseas in Canada.
not have access to advanced equipment such destination! My favourite holidays in recent can’t sit still. I like to push my limits physically
as CT, MRI, angiography and fluoroscopy, years have been sailing the Whitsundays and as well as mentally, so I’m always eager to 10.Coffee or Wine?
and therefore it often becomes a challenge snowboarding in Japan. I can’t just laze around further my knowledge and skills through I love a good coffee in the morning, but prefer a beer over a
to provide a diagnosis using the x-ray and on the beach or by a pool. I love being active continual professional education. wine in the evening.
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