Setting your bar higher

“It’s kind of wild to look back at my life eight years ago — I was barely making it. I could have lost my two children because of the choices I was making.”?

Alishea Waite’s life looks very different now. Her path included parenting two kids alone, doubting her abilities, getting help from public assistance, and battling addiction. It also includes recovery, marriage, support from friends, recognition from leaders, and what she calls a “life-changing” chance to be part of the St. Vincent Regional Hospital community and Intermountain Health.?

Whether in her recovery, her career, or her education, Alishea’s mindset is to always set the bar higher for herself. After recovering from active addiction eight years ago, she became a volunteer firefighter and eventually leveraged her emergency medical training into an entry-level role at St. Vincent as a surgical team assistant (STA).?

“I took steps to become a team lead. Eventually, I don’t know if outgrow is the right word, but I felt like I met the match in the STA role,” said Alishea. A leader who saw Alishea’s effort and growth suggested she look into one of Intermountain’s surgical technologist training programs.?

These programs pay for caregivers’ education through local schools and clinical training. At the end of the program, caregivers can sit for their surgical technologist certification and qualify to work as a surgical technologist.?

Alishea said the experience of having someone she admired see her as a person who can succeed was the most meaningful recognition she could get.?

“I’ve always been a self-doubter,” Alishea said. “Going through the surgical technologist program has given me self-confidence, whether it’s at work or outside of work. I know that if I give it my best, I can't question that I've done my job.” ?

When the job feels particularly stressful or difficult, Alishea remembers the words of one of her mentors, Ruth Gonzalez, “You’ve got to take the ugly wins as wins.”?

The surgical technologist program helped Alishea qualify for a new role. However, it’s the ongoing experience of investing in her own development that continues to pay off.?

By pushing herself to grow, Alishea said she learned how to use her voice in difficult situations and ask questions without fear of judgment. She feels more gratitude for the people in her life and has strengthened her network of friends and colleagues who continue to support her. ?

“I’ve been building relationships even before I was a technologist,” Alishea said. “I believe that was a factor in the support I got from everyone. I know if I have a question I can go to these people and ask for advice.”?

Alishea is celebrating her third anniversary with Intermountain and her promotion to surgical technologist. She says she isn’t planning to stop there — after she gets her feet under her as a surgical technologist, she wants to get more training so she can work on heart surgery teams.?

“When I was in active addiction, I was depressed all the time,” Alishea said.?“I thought there was nothing I could do that would better my family.”?

Last year, Alishea and her wife bought their first home in Billings, Montana, where they live with their two children. Alishea is still a volunteer firefighter.?

When you’re part of Intermountain, you can grow, no matter where you start or where you want to go. Intermountain is here to help you achieve a fulfilling career you can be proud of. You can get help paying for school, advice on how to plan out your career steps, encouragement and advice from mentors, and options for learning the skills you need. Caregivers are the heart of our mission, and we want you to love your work.?