Two qualified people have applied to work at the Queen Charlotte hospital x-ray department, and doctors say the position could be filled by Aug. 23.
The Northern Health Authority is recruiting widely and aggressively, said Dr. Tracy Morton, and it seems to be paying off. The NHA will check the applicants' credentials and hire a technician within the next two weeks.
In the meantime, however, there will be some weeks when the hospital doesn't have a regular technician, said Dr. Morton. This week, no one is available. Between July 26 and Aug. 9 a locum will visit the islands. Then from Aug. 9-23 the position is vacant again.
Tony Tyler, the technician from Masset, will travel south one day a week when no locum is available, Dr. Morton said. And before he left, the Queen Charlotte x-ray technician trained local doctors in the use of an older, portable model machine that could be used in a pinch.