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.
As a radiologic technologist, you can specialize in different areas, examples of which are Diagnostic Radiography for examining bones, cavities and foreign object in the body, Sonography which employs high-frequency ultrasound to take images of the body, and Radiotherapy which uses radiation to reduce or eliminate cancerous cells. Other examples are Fluoroscopy, CT or Computed Tomography, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Mammography.
Before a radiologic technologist can take images of a patient's body for diagnosis, he first makes sure that patients are prepared for the examination by briefing them on the imaging procedure that they are about to undergo. X-rays are very commonly used, and these professionals make sure jewelries and other interfering objects are removed from the patient. They also help minimize exposure of patients to radiation by providing them with protective apparatus like 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 needs to properly comply with instructions given to him by the doctor or physician, follow the procedures on how to properly operate radiography equipment, and to protect themselves, patients and co-workers at all times, specially from excessive exposure to radiation. Their tasks can also include recording and keeping of patient's records, maintenance of radiography equipment, work schedule preparation, evaluation of equipment purchases and managerial responsibilities as well.
Like most medical practitioners, being a radiologic technologist means one must be in excellent physical health, and able to deal with everyday stress, as the work can involve a lot of physically challenging tasks like lifting patients and heavy equipment. They may also work either full-time or part-time, have late night shifts, and even work on weekends or holidays if their workplace needs them to.
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.
Formal educational programs for a radiography technologist can vary from 1 to 4 years and can grant them a certificate, an associate or a bachelor's degree. It is commonly the two-year associate degree programs that students take because of its short length and the wide array of entry-level jobs available after completing it. Before you decide to venture in this medical profession, it is important that you first review your qualifications and your desire to pursue this course, as well as visiting different radiology tech schools in order to determine which will best suit you.
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.
As a radiologic technologist, you can specialize in different areas, examples of which are Diagnostic Radiography for examining bones, cavities and foreign object in the body, Sonography which employs high-frequency ultrasound to take images of the body, and Radiotherapy which uses radiation to reduce or eliminate cancerous cells. Other examples are Fluoroscopy, CT or Computed Tomography, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Mammography.
Before a radiologic technologist can take images of a patient's body for diagnosis, he first makes sure that patients are prepared for the examination by briefing them on the imaging procedure that they are about to undergo. X-rays are very commonly used, and these professionals make sure jewelries and other interfering objects are removed from the patient. They also help minimize exposure of patients to radiation by providing them with protective apparatus like 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 needs to properly comply with instructions given to him by the doctor or physician, follow the procedures on how to properly operate radiography equipment, and to protect themselves, patients and co-workers at all times, specially from excessive exposure to radiation. Their tasks can also include recording and keeping of patient's records, maintenance of radiography equipment, work schedule preparation, evaluation of equipment purchases and managerial responsibilities as well.
Like most medical practitioners, being a radiologic technologist means one must be in excellent physical health, and able to deal with everyday stress, as the work can involve a lot of physically challenging tasks like lifting patients and heavy equipment. They may also work either full-time or part-time, have late night shifts, and even work on weekends or holidays if their workplace needs them to.
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.
Formal educational programs for a radiography technologist can vary from 1 to 4 years and can grant them a certificate, an associate or a bachelor's degree. It is commonly the two-year associate degree programs that students take because of its short length and the wide array of entry-level jobs available after completing it. Before you decide to venture in this medical profession, it is important that you first review your qualifications and your desire to pursue this course, as well as visiting different radiology tech schools in order to determine which will best suit you.
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