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 radiologic technologist is a more general name for different specializations in this field of medicine. One can be a radiographer, a sonographer or therapist, among many others, and use advanced radiographic equipment for taking high quality images of the different parts of the body.
Being a radiologic technologist can bring you to different fields of specialization, and these can include Diagnostic Radiography for scanning the bones, cavities and foreign objects lodged in the body, Sonography for ultrasound scans, and Radiotherapy which harnesses the power of radiation to get rid or minimize cancerous cells in the body. Other fields include Fluoroscopy, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CT or Computed Tomography, Mammography and Nuclear Medicine.
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 make use radiography equipment by properly positioning it at the correct angle and height over the area of the patient's body that needs to be scanned. With the help of an instrument similar to a measuring tape, they are able to determine the appropriate thickness of the area to be scanned and control the equipment to provide images of the right detail, contrast and density. They then position an X-ray film underneath the body part to be scanned and make the exposure, after which the film gets developed for analysis.
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.
As you can see, being a radiography technologist involves a lot of physically and mentally demanding tasks, which is why everyone undergoes sufficient training and formal education before being one. You can choose to get a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree, as any of them can land you a decent entry-level job. Individuals usually opt to get an associate degree as it takes less time to complete and they may also choose to continue further study to get a bachelor's degree. Try visiting different radiology tech schools and see which one can help you in pursuing this career.
The term radiologic technologist is a more general name for different specializations in this field of medicine. One can be a radiographer, a sonographer or therapist, among many others, and use advanced radiographic equipment for taking high quality images of the different parts of the body.
Being a radiologic technologist can bring you to different fields of specialization, and these can include Diagnostic Radiography for scanning the bones, cavities and foreign objects lodged in the body, Sonography for ultrasound scans, and Radiotherapy which harnesses the power of radiation to get rid or minimize cancerous cells in the body. Other fields include Fluoroscopy, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CT or Computed Tomography, Mammography and Nuclear Medicine.
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 make use radiography equipment by properly positioning it at the correct angle and height over the area of the patient's body that needs to be scanned. With the help of an instrument similar to a measuring tape, they are able to determine the appropriate thickness of the area to be scanned and control the equipment to provide images of the right detail, contrast and density. They then position an X-ray film underneath the body part to be scanned and make the exposure, after which the film gets developed for analysis.
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.
As you can see, being a radiography technologist involves a lot of physically and mentally demanding tasks, which is why everyone undergoes sufficient training and formal education before being one. You can choose to get a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree, as any of them can land you a decent entry-level job. Individuals usually opt to get an associate degree as it takes less time to complete and they may also choose to continue further study to get a bachelor's degree. Try visiting different radiology tech schools and see which one can help you in pursuing this career.
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Being a radiologic technologist requires one to have formal education and training. If you don't know where to start, try visiting our site and let us provide you with information on radiology tech schools that can get you started on your career.
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