Mammographers produce diagnostic images of breast tissue using special x-ray equipment. Under the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act, mammographers must meet stringent educational and experience criteria in order to perform mammography procedures. Breast imaging is the latest diagnostic imaging technology to offer 3-D representations of the anatomy using the advancement called digital breast tomosynthesis DBT.
Bone Densitometry Technologists use a special type of x-ray equipment to measure bone mineral density at a specific anatomical site usually the hip, spine or forearm or to calculate total body bone mineral content. Nuclear Medicine Technologists administer trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to a patient, and use a special scanner to detect gamma rays emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals and create an image of the body part under examination.
This study obtains functional information about organs, tissues and bone. Sonographers use sound waves to obtain images of organs and tissues in the body. Specialized equipment then converts those echoes back into visual data.
Sonograms can be performed in 2-D, 3-D and 4-D. Radiologist Assistants are experienced, registered radiographers who have obtained additional education and certification that qualifies them to serve as radiologist extenders.
They work under the supervision of a radiologist to provide advanced patient care, perform imaging examinations, and communicate initial observations to the supervising radiologist. The radiation therapist and the medical dosimetrist are members of the radiologic technology profession.
Medical Dosimetrists determine how much radiation will be delivered to a tumor site. Under the supervision of a medical physicist, they calculate radiation dose distributions in accordance with the treatment plan developed by the radiation oncologist.
Medical dosimetrists use their knowledge of physics, anatomy and radiobiology to design optimal treatments that apply an effective dose to the targeted area while sparing normal tissue that surrounds it. As the radiation strikes human tissue, it produces highly energized ions that shrink and destroy the nuclei of malignant tumor cells.
Radiation therapists are highly skilled medical specialists educated in physics, radiation safety, patient anatomy and patient care. They typically see each of their patients three to five days a week throughout a four- to seven-week treatment plan. Computed tomography is commonly used in radiation therapy to simulate radiation treatments, and MRI is becoming a popular modality for treatment simulations as well.
Radiologists are physicians who earn a four-year doctoral degree to become an M. They then complete an additional four-year residency in diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology. More than 90 percent of radiologists go on to become certified by the American Board of Radiology, indicating that they have passed a standardized national examination in radiology. Diagnostic radiologists specialize in the interpretation of medical images such as radiographs, MR scans, CT scans, nuclear medicine scans, mammograms and sonograms.
They are specially trained to identify injury and disease throughout the many systems of the body. Radiologists may specialize in fields such as neuroradiology, angiography, cardiovascular-interventional radiology, pediatric radiology or nuclear medicine. Radiation oncologists are physicians who specialize in the treatment of cancer. They consult with patients and their primary care physicians to determine the best course of therapy and plan a treatment schedule. Then, they work with a medical dosimetrist to calculate how much radiation will be delivered.
The radiation therapist is the medical professional who carries out the treatment plan by delivering targeted radiation to the tumor site. Interventional radiologists perform interventional treatments for a number of vascular and nonvascular medical conditions.
Examples of these treatments include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, thrombolysis, atherectomy, thrombectomy, coil and glue embolization, stent placement, tube placement, and ablation techniques.
Interventional radiologists perform these procedures under fluoroscopic guidance. Please leave a message or check back shortly. Join ASRT. Log In. Member ID Profile. Membership Categories. A radiology technician has several job paths available that can offer a fulfilling career experience and an exciting work environment.
The most common locations where radiology technicians work include hospitals, outpatient care centers, physicians' offices, and medical centers. Radiologic technologists can also choose to specialize in a particular field, such as in bone densitometry and gynecologic ultrasonography, which will open the doors to working in more specialized medical facilities. Here's a look at the most popular places radiology technicians are employed. Radiology technicians play an integral role in hospitals and provide a variety of imaging exam services to patients.
These professionals also provide support to a patient's care team, which may include doctors, nurses, and radiologists, throughout the course of the patient's diagnosis and treatment for medical conditions. Within the hospital setting, a radiology technician may work in a specific area of the facility.
Commonly assigned areas for radiology technicians include the emergency room, the operating room, and critical care units. When a radiologic technologist is assigned to the emergency department of a hospital, they'll need to either perform diagnostic imaging via a portable machine at the bedside, or they'll have to transport patients from the ER to the exam room. This work environment is often very fast-paced, and radiologic technologists will be exposed to patients with varying levels of injuries and conditions.
Radiology technicians who work in the operating room will typically follow a predictable diagnostic imaging schedule based on the operating room's surgery schedule. These units are where the most critical patients stay, and radiology technicians working in these units must be incredibly careful and cautious when performing imaging exams here.
Common duties performed in critical care units include routine X-ray exams and line placements. Radiologic technologists may also provide their services on an as-needed basis in various hospital departments. They typically have regular and direct contact with patients throughout the course of their day in a hospital, so they need good interpersonal skills in addition to the hard skills required to be a radiologic technologist.
The work schedule for a radiologic technologist working in a hospital is typically 40 hours a week but can easily surpass this number due to the constant demand in hospital facilities. Some who work in hospitals are also required to be on call on the weekends and at night. A radiologic technologist may work in a medical or radiology laboratory and provide their services to patients who come into the lab for diagnostic imaging. Technicians working in a lab setting perform similar duties to those working in other medical environments, including operating advanced imaging and radiation therapy machinery to obtain the necessary imagery needed by radiologists to interpret and make a diagnosis.
Some medical laboratories that employ radiologic technologists are specialized, so they must be knowledgeable in the particular specialization of the lab. For example, a lab specializing in bone densitometry will need a radiology technician who is an expert in using X-rays and other imaging tools to calculate a patient's bone density. Another common location of employment for radiologic technologists is outpatient care centers.
Within this setting, radiology techs typically have a more stable workload compared to those who are employed in hospitals. There is also little to no trauma in relation to patient status in outpatient care centers, making this an ideal work environment for radiology professionals who prefer a predictable daily routine on the job. Much of a radiologic technologist's day at an outpatient center is spent reviewing patient documentation and administering the proper imaging tests based on the patient's injuries or condition.
Other common duties in an outpatient care center include prepping patients before imaging, positioning patients for imaging, completing patient paperwork after the imaging tests are performed, and transporting patients to and from the imaging department.
In smaller outpatient clinics, radiology techs may also be required to perform other basic duties such as taking patients' vital signs and helping out with charting.
They may also be in charge of monitoring inventory levels for the clinic and ordering supplies when inventory is running low. Radiology technicians can work in private health care facilities and perform many of the same duties as in other health care environments such as hospitals and outpatient centers.
Private health care centers may specialize in a particular area, so a radiology technician will need to be educated in that area in order to work at that facility. For example, a private gynecological medical facility will need radiologic technologists who specialize in gynecologic ultrasonography, vascular interventional obstetric sonography, echocardiography, Doppler sonography, and musculoskeletal sonography. These imaging exams are all required to monitor the progress of pregnancy as well as for other routine gynecological examinations.
Private diagnostic imaging centers or independent imaging centers are medical facilities that focus solely on providing diagnostic imaging services to patients. Whereas hospitals, private health care facilities, and outpatient centers all offer additional health care services, private imaging centers provide only imaging services. Many patients find these locations more convenient as they don't have to endure the long waits often associated with other medical facilities like hospitals.
Imaging centers typically offer several different kinds of imaging services, so radiologic technologists who work at these centers will need to be familiar with the machines and techniques used.
The most common types of imaging utilized in a private imaging facility include:. Radiation therapy patients are treated for cancer, and the therapist who works with the patients usually develops a special, supportive relationship with the patient and family members.
Radiation therapists must possess a high degree of sensitivity and caring in addition to excellent technical skills. State licensure may also be required. Career Opportunities: Areas of opportunities include hospitals, freestanding clinics, research, sales, and marketing. Radiology Nurse Radiology nurses work as part of the radiology team to provide specialized and routine nursing care to patients in the radiology departments.
Radiology nurses may work in special procedures, breast imaging, CT scan, general radiology, or any area in which patients need specialized nursing care. Most employers require certification in critical care, advanced cardiac life support ACLS , and conscious sedation.
Education Programs. Career Opportunities: Opportunities for radiology nurses are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing. Radiology Information Systems RIS Specialist Radiology information systems RIS specialists are responsible for implementing, maintaining, and updating radiology information computer systems.
Working with radiology staff, they oversee the computer systems that provide information about patient exams, results, and histories. Some experienced employees who exhibit competence in computers may be trained and promoted. Career Opportunities: Opportunities for RIS specialists are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing.
Working with radiology staff, they oversee the computer systems that provide images and information about patient exams, results, and histories. PACS connect to different radiographic and imaging equipment and make images produced on that equipment available to authorized users. This is not an entry-level position.
Opportunities for PACS administrators are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing. Radiologist Assistant RA Radiologist assistants RAs function as radiologic technologists who extend the capacity of the radiologist, falling between the role of radiologist and radiographer. RAs manage and assess patients, perform certain imaging procedures, evaluate images, and make image observations.
This training prepares certified radiographers for an advanced certification test to obtain RA certification, administered by the ARRT.
Career Opportunities: Opportunities for RAs are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing. RPAs perform the same procedures as radiologic technologists, as well as invasive imaging procedures. RPAs also evaluate images, prepare reports for the radiologist, and assist in managerial durties. Box , Lander, WY Phone: www. Career Opportunities: Opportunities for RPAs are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing. Radiologic technologists may also progress to different levels of opportunity in the areas of education, management, and marketing.
Positions are available as department directors and supervisors as well as education program directors. Some may choose to seek positions using their imaging experience in sales, marketing, or consulting with a medical oriented business.
Others who gain a bachelors degree and go on to pursue a masters degree in health administration may choose to seek a position as a hospital administrator, a vice president in a hospital, or a manager of a business for radiologists. Most people in management positions hire and supervise all non-physician employees. They develop strategic plans, prepare budgets, and investigate and implement future technologies.
This is also a new requirement for all radiology technology program directors. Career Opportunities: Several career levels exist depending on education and experience.
Positions are available in hospitals, private businesses, large corporations, research, and colleges. Educational Programs: 4 year baccalaureate degree program 2 year associate degree program 2 year hospital certificate program Career Opportunities: Career opportunities vary at this level. Computed Tomography CT Technologist Computed tomography CT technologists are responsible for taking detailed cross sectional images of the internal structures of the human body. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer A diagnostic medical sonographer combines creativity with advanced knowledge of human anatomy and advanced ultrasound imaging equipment to produce images of the human body.
Mammographer Mammographers use ionizing radiation to produce images of the breast for screening, diagnosis, and treatment purposes. Nuclear Medicine Technologist Nuclear medicine technologists are specialized members of the imaging healthcare team. Education Programs 4 year baccalaureate degree program 2 year associate degree program 2 year hospital-based certificate program 1 year certificate program after training in a related field Career Opportunities: Career opportunities are available in hospitals, imaging centers, educational institutions, private medical offices, clinical research labs, sales, and marketing.
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