A radiologic technologist, who can also be known as a radiographer, is a health care professional who generally makes use of X-rays and other radiographic equipment in order to take medical images of the body and analyzing these images for doctors in order to help them diagnose and treat patients of their afflictions or injuries. If you decide that you want to make a career in this medical field, you must first get formal education and training. You can get it from schools, universities, radiology tech schools and even some hospitals.
The term radiography technologist is a substantially broad term and can refer to a wide range of specializations that one can take. An individual, among many others, can be a radiographer, sonographer or therapist by specializing in a certain field. They usually take control of advanced equipment that is capable of capturing high quality images of the different parts of the body.
A radiologic technologist can specialize in different fields, like Diagnostic Radiography for example, which deals with taking images of the bones, cavities and other foreign objects inside the body. Sonography is another example, and makes use of ultrasound technology to render images of the body, while Radiotherapy uses radiation in eradicating or reducing the number of cancerous cells in the body. One can also take on Fluoroscopy, CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Nuclear Medicine and Mammography.
A radiologic technologist's primary responsibility is to prepare patients for the scanning procedure that they will undergo and explaining to them everything they need to know in order to successfully capture images. Since X-rays are the common equipment used, they must make sure that patients are not wearing any interfering objects like jewelries and ensure that they get utmost protection from too much radiation thru the use of lead shields.
Radiographers also ensure that the radiography equipment is properly positioned at the right height and angle of the patient's body to be scanned in order to ensure optimal image capturing. They also make use of an object similar to a measuring tape to assess the correct range of area to be scanned and manipulate the equipment to produce images of optimum detail, contrast and density. They then place an X-ray film beneath the body part to be photographed and after development it is then analyzed.
It is important that the radiologic technologist accurately complies with the doctor's orders and follow the standards involving the proper use of radiography equipment, as well as protecting themselves, patients and co-workers from unnecessary exposure to radiation. Besides preparation of patients and equipment operation, they can also keep track of patient records, maintain radiography equipment, prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment acquisitions, and even management of a radiology department.
Since a radiologic technologist belongs in the medical profession, being physically fit and healthy is a primary requirement. Expect to work on your feet most of the time, and perform some physically challenging tasks like lifting patients or medical equipment. Work can also either be full-time or part-time, have graveyard shifts or late schedules, including weekends or holidays should your workplace demand so.
Despite the hazards involved in this medical profession, particularly from radiation, these are greatly minimized with the help of specialized protective gear like lead aprons, gloves and other devices that deflects radiation. Adherence to safety procedures set by your workplace can also help as well. Radiologic technologists wear special badges which monitor their exposure radiation and the level of radiation in a specific area.
In acquiring formal education and training for a radiologic technologist, you can choose from three paths, namely a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. All of them can land you a decent job in this medical field, but statistically it is the two-year associate degree that is a common choice because of its shorter duration and the great number of entry-level jobs available upon program completion. Also, make sure you think well about how certain you are in taking this degree and choose well from the many radiology tech schools available to you.
The term radiography technologist is a substantially broad term and can refer to a wide range of specializations that one can take. An individual, among many others, can be a radiographer, sonographer or therapist by specializing in a certain field. They usually take control of advanced equipment that is capable of capturing high quality images of the different parts of the body.
A radiologic technologist can specialize in different fields, like Diagnostic Radiography for example, which deals with taking images of the bones, cavities and other foreign objects inside the body. Sonography is another example, and makes use of ultrasound technology to render images of the body, while Radiotherapy uses radiation in eradicating or reducing the number of cancerous cells in the body. One can also take on Fluoroscopy, CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Nuclear Medicine and Mammography.
A radiologic technologist's primary responsibility is to prepare patients for the scanning procedure that they will undergo and explaining to them everything they need to know in order to successfully capture images. Since X-rays are the common equipment used, they must make sure that patients are not wearing any interfering objects like jewelries and ensure that they get utmost protection from too much radiation thru the use of lead shields.
Radiographers also ensure that the radiography equipment is properly positioned at the right height and angle of the patient's body to be scanned in order to ensure optimal image capturing. They also make use of an object similar to a measuring tape to assess the correct range of area to be scanned and manipulate the equipment to produce images of optimum detail, contrast and density. They then place an X-ray film beneath the body part to be photographed and after development it is then analyzed.
It is important that the radiologic technologist accurately complies with the doctor's orders and follow the standards involving the proper use of radiography equipment, as well as protecting themselves, patients and co-workers from unnecessary exposure to radiation. Besides preparation of patients and equipment operation, they can also keep track of patient records, maintain radiography equipment, prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment acquisitions, and even management of a radiology department.
Since a radiologic technologist belongs in the medical profession, being physically fit and healthy is a primary requirement. Expect to work on your feet most of the time, and perform some physically challenging tasks like lifting patients or medical equipment. Work can also either be full-time or part-time, have graveyard shifts or late schedules, including weekends or holidays should your workplace demand so.
Despite the hazards involved in this medical profession, particularly from radiation, these are greatly minimized with the help of specialized protective gear like lead aprons, gloves and other devices that deflects radiation. Adherence to safety procedures set by your workplace can also help as well. Radiologic technologists wear special badges which monitor their exposure radiation and the level of radiation in a specific area.
In acquiring formal education and training for a radiologic technologist, you can choose from three paths, namely a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. All of them can land you a decent job in this medical field, but statistically it is the two-year associate degree that is a common choice because of its shorter duration and the great number of entry-level jobs available upon program completion. Also, make sure you think well about how certain you are in taking this degree and choose well from the many radiology tech schools available to you.
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