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 make sure that the radiographic equipment to be used is well aligned at the proper angle and height over the patient's body which is about to be scanned. Using a tool which resembles a measuring tape, the technologist is able to measure accurately just how much area in the body needs to be scanned and control the equipment in order to get images that have the best detail, contrast and density. With X-rays, a film is set below the body part to be scanned and after developing the film, it is then sent for analysis by the radiographers and doctors.
A radiologic technologist must be able to follow the directions given to him by the doctor, as well as the safety standards set by his workplace in operation of radiography equipment, and ensure his safety, including patients and co-workers as well. They can also be tasked with keeping patient records, maintain medical equipment, organize work schedules, review equipment purchases, and also manage 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.
This medical profession does involve some hazards, particularly the exposure to radiation and some other chemicals. But the risks can always be minimized with proper care and compliance to company standards and safety measures. Examples are wearing of proper clothing like lead aprons and gloves, which neutralizes or minimizes the effects of radiation. Radiologic technologists also wear a special badge for monitoring their exposure to radiation as well as the determining the level of radiation in the place they are working in.
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 make sure that the radiographic equipment to be used is well aligned at the proper angle and height over the patient's body which is about to be scanned. Using a tool which resembles a measuring tape, the technologist is able to measure accurately just how much area in the body needs to be scanned and control the equipment in order to get images that have the best detail, contrast and density. With X-rays, a film is set below the body part to be scanned and after developing the film, it is then sent for analysis by the radiographers and doctors.
A radiologic technologist must be able to follow the directions given to him by the doctor, as well as the safety standards set by his workplace in operation of radiography equipment, and ensure his safety, including patients and co-workers as well. They can also be tasked with keeping patient records, maintain medical equipment, organize work schedules, review equipment purchases, and also manage 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.
This medical profession does involve some hazards, particularly the exposure to radiation and some other chemicals. But the risks can always be minimized with proper care and compliance to company standards and safety measures. Examples are wearing of proper clothing like lead aprons and gloves, which neutralizes or minimizes the effects of radiation. Radiologic technologists also wear a special badge for monitoring their exposure to radiation as well as the determining the level of radiation in the place they are working in.
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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