Industrial Health Council Employee Spotlight: Isaac Landa

Industrial Health Council Employee Spotlight:   Isaac Landa

Field Technician Isaac Landa

1.       What made you decide on a career in the health care field?

When I was going to join the military, I wanted to do more than just be another soldier and I figured if I became a medic, I could be the guy to fix people instead of causing them harm. That is not to say that I won’t defend my country in battle, but my main objective is to heal. Also, my sister had a heart transplant when she was 4 and I’ve always wanted to be able to do something or have some sort of knowledge of what was going on with her if the time ever came that I might have to take primary care of her situation.  Another thing is that in the medical field you can learn or become so many different things.  Medicine is a profession that will be here for quite some time seeing how people still become sick.

2.       What is your experience or educational background?  (Certifications, degree, etc…)

Well, let’s see, I am a medic in the National Guard as we speak. That training involves going through 20 weeks of training. (9 weeks of becoming NREMT certified as an EMT-B and 9 weeks of combat medic training) I have also worked and ran a First Aid Station/Ambulance Transport at Fort McClellan in Anniston, AL for about 1 year off and on. I am also First Aid/CPR/AED certified and a certified instructor for First Aid/CPR/AED through the American Red Cross, CAOHC Certified (Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation) to perform hearing tests, Respirator Fit Testing Certified, and have completed a NIOSH approved course in Spirometry in order to perform pulmonary function tests. I also shoot and process Chest X-rays in digital and analog.  I have some college under my belt , but nothing worth mentioning.

3.       Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Spokane, Washington but I now call Alabama home.

4.       What do you do in your free time?  (hobbies, etc.)

In my free time I like to run and workout.  Also, cooking is a big hobby of mine. I’m currently re-watching the TV series Breaking Bad.

5.       What do you like most about your profession?

What I like most about my profession honestly are the people that I get to meet and quite possibly help.

6.       If you could give any advice to people who are deciding on a career in health care, what would it be?

My advice would be this; the medical profession is something that is going to be around and gives people the rare opportunity to be a positive influence in a total stranger’s life. You can make a difference.

7.       What do you consider your biggest challenge in your profession and how do you overcome it?

I would say the biggest challenge is people. Not everyone is the same.  Sure physically we are all made anatomically alike, but attitudes and ways of life are completely different. If you’re open minded and willing to accept people for whom they are, then it should be nothing more than a learning experience.