What is a “typical” workday? 9 to 5 (or around there)? Punch in, punch out after eight hours? While this is what most people are used to, sometimes a less conventional schedule might be more attractive. The work-from-home routine that many people followed during and after the pandemic definitely introduced the concept of alternative work arrangements. 

Cleveland Clinic has taken this idea and put it into practice with a “7 on 7 off” schedule in its Imaging Institute. This arrangement works exactly as described: the caregiver works seven days in a row, then gets the next seven days off. (Kind of like a mini-summer vacation.) Anyone looking for a non-traditional schedule would be drawn to such a timetable. 

Lacey Perrine, Registered Radiology Technologist at Cleveland Clinic Euclid Hospital, is the charter member of this group in the Imaging Institute. She notes that this position was appealing to her in part because this schedule fit her personality and lifestyle. “When I was in high school, I weighed my options as far as what I wanted to do with my life,” she says. “And to be honest, I didn’t want to be in school forever. I’m not a fan of routines as far as that goes, but I wanted something where I could make a difference.”  

Never a dull moment 

Lacey got her degree from Kent State University, Ashtabula Branch, and joined Cleveland Clinic in August 2025. In her role as a Radiology Technologist, she works alongside fellow caregivers, taking patients to and from the Emergency Room and using x-ray equipment to obtain optimal images for the radiologist for future diagnoses. These duties include preparing patients for the exam, moving and instructing the patient into the proper position, correctly operating the equipment, and obtaining a high-quality image while minimizing radiation dose to the patient. 

“It’s definitely not a monotonous job,” she says. “In this position, every patient has a different story. Everybody’s patient care tends to be a little bit different.” 

Lacey admits to a bit of trepidation going in. “Keeping a healthy lifestyle was my concern,” she says. “How would my lifestyle change? Am I going to be overly exhausted? But I think keeping a mindset of a good daily structure has kept me in the loop of what I need to do.” 

Another benefit? “You’re like, ‘yay, seven days off!’ If you’re a full-time caregiver, you’re already working five days in a row. This is just two more days. So, after you work through those two days, it’s like a five-day work week.” 

Support from above 

As the first caregiver in her department to take part in the 7 on 7 off schedule, Lacey especially appreciates working with her manager, Tom Frank. “He has been nothing but supportive in trying to figure out what works,” she says. 

“For instance, in the new year, Tom and I are going to sit down and assess this program and see if we can come up with a rotation type deal. It would be great if somebody else were on the opposite shift from me, then maybe we could just flip a day. I work one holiday, the new caregiver works the other.” 

An environment of respect 

The team’s environment is, to Lacey, one of the best things about working at Cleveland Clinic and is sure to keep her there. “I’ve encountered nothing but respect here,” she says. “Everybody I have come across through Cleveland Clinic, whether it’s Environmental Services (housekeeping), cafeteria workers, nurses, administration, supervisors, fellow caregivers – everyone has been so nice, so understanding. I’ve felt nothing but accepted from the very beginning. And I can’t stress enough the benefits. The whole 9 yards of every aspect. I don’t have a bad thing to say.” 

This environment goes a long way toward helping Lacey map out her career path, she notes. Again, a strong relationship with her manager is the key toward her job satisfaction. “I’m sure I’m only going to grow from here. I’ve talked with Tom, and he’s absolutely in favor of supporting any future moves I might make, helping me find something that would work. So, it’s been nothing but respectful and a great situation for me.”