As a radiology technician, Jake Thomas’ job is to move the equipment into place, enter the correct settings, capture the image on a film cassette, then load the cassette into a processor to be fed into a computer program.

But that’s just the details.

Thomas, 24, who works in the Diagnostic Imaging Department at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, views his duties as encompassing much more.

The patients he sees range from toddlers to seniors and represent the spectrum of the community. Often they’re nervous, frightened and not sure what to expect.

“I like helping people,” Thomas said.

And that’s what he does as he explains the procedure and puts anxieties to rest. He particularly enjoys working with children

“It’s communication, comforting them,” he said. “You don’t say ‘poke’ because they associate ‘poke’ with a needle. (I tell them), ‘it’s just like taking a picture with a camera’ and ‘hold still like a statue.’”

His philosophy is basic.

“I treat everyone the way I’d like to be treated,” he said.

Thomas, who was born at Sutter Auburn Faith, has worked there for nearly three years — but his relationship with hospitals spans much longer.

“My parents worked at Sierra Nevada (Hospital in Grass Valley), and they got me a job as a transporter in radiology in 2002,” he said.

As a “transporter,” he wheeled around patients in wheelchairs and gurneys.

When Thomas decided working in radiology suited him, he took four years of training, studying at Sierra College and Yuba College. Then he spent 2,000 hours as an intern, working at Sutter Auburn Faith, Sierra Nevada and Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville.

Thomas made a lasting impression during his six-month internship in Auburn.

“He interfaced well with staff and our physicians — not just staff in imaging, but with hospital staff, ” department operations manager Bob Brearley said. “He seemed like he’d be a natural fit with a community hospital.”

Thomas’ way with patients has since had an impact on others, including Ayden Danovaro, 8, who had to make two visits to Diagnostic Imaging at the age of 5 when he broke his collarbone twice in two months.

“I was running and then tripped over a ball at soccer, and I fell and landed on another soccer ball,” Ayden said. “It pushed my collarbone, so that’s how I got my first (trip).”

The second time, a buddy pushing him too fast in a wagon made the wagon spin, and Ayden fell out.

“(The trip to the imaging department) was pretty scary for him the first time,” said mom Mindy Danovaro, executive director of the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital Foundation.

But Thomas’ calming demeanor won Ayden over.

“Well, he did a really good job the first time,” Ayden said. “(The second time) I wanted someone I was clear and good with, and I was not nervous about — and someone I knew.”

That someone was Thomas.

The procedure can be a little overwhelming.

“The things they put on you — all the little gadgets. They had this big thing over me. They had lots of big red lights shining right at me,” Ayden explained. “But (Thomas said) ‘It’s OK, Ayden. It’s OK.’ So I was still OK with it.”

“They talked about motorcycles and Jake was able to take the fear right out of the situation,” Danovaro said in an e-mail. “Now every time (Ayden) comes to the hospital, he asks to see Jake who is his ‘hero.’”

Ayden isn’t the only fan.

“I’ve had letters written to my house from patients,” Thomas said. “(They say), there are some people who belong in the medical field, and you’re one of them.’”

The Journal’s Gloria Young can be reached at gloriay@goldcountrymedia.com or comment at Auburnjournal.com.