04:04:00
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.
When a patient is set to undergo a scan like an X-ray, the radiologic technologist prepares him for the process he is about to undergo and explains everything that he needs to know regarding the procedure. The radiographer also checks the patient for objects that might interfere with the scanning equipment and makes sure that the patient gets enough protection from the radiation coming from radiography equipment.
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 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.
When a patient is set to undergo a scan like an X-ray, the radiologic technologist prepares him for the process he is about to undergo and explains everything that he needs to know regarding the procedure. The radiographer also checks the patient for objects that might interfere with the scanning equipment and makes sure that the patient gets enough protection from the radiation coming from radiography equipment.
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.
About the Author:
Interested in becoming a radiology technician? Visit us to find out how to choose radiology tech schools at www.radiologycert.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment