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The exciting field of Medical Imaging…
Could this be a career for you?
January 2005
© 2005 Boston Private Industry Council
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Medical Imaging Technologists
utilize science and technology to
produce images of various parts of
the body to diagnose and
sometimes treat diseases and
injuries in humans and animals.
With specialized education and
clinical training you could learn to
perform this work in a variety of
settings.
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© 2005 Boston Private Industry Council
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What makes Medical Imaging a field that you
may want to explore?
• Steady increase of jobs available
• Good pay and benefits
• Requires a two year degree
• Opportunity for career advancement
• Combines the need for people skills and technology skills
• Provides a wide variety of work environments and
schedules
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© 2005 Boston Private Industry Council
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Job market
• Currently, there are over 30,000 vacancies nationwide.
• The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that over
75,000 Radiologic Technologists and 30,000 Specialized
Imaging Technologists will be needed by 2010!
• The American Hospital Association reports that Radiologic
Technologists have the highest average vacancy rate of
any hospital profession.
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Salary
• The average starting salary for a new Radiologic
Technologist graduate is $42,000 - $45,000 per year
in the Boston area.
• The average salary for a Radiologic Technologist is
$55,000; modality specialists may make 5%-20%
more.
• Many opportunities exist for a salary increase:
overtime, extra pay for shift work and/or seniority,
cross-training, and promotions.
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Education
• Requires a 2 or 4 year degree or certificate options
• High School diploma or GED required for entry
• Good health and current immunizations
• High school lab science and math is required or classes
taken as a prerequisite
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Education
• Some people enter Radiologic Technologist programs right
out of high school.
• Many people begin a Radiologic Technologist program
when they are in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. These “career
changers” are sometimes anxious about taking math and
science after being out of school for so long. However,
they quickly learn that it is a step-by-step process. They
take the basic courses and build upon them.
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The curriculum for a Radiologic Technologist
program requires that a student have a strong
foundation in math and laboratory science. Typical
classes once enrolled include:
– Medical Terminology
– Positioning
– Patient Care
– Radiation Protection
& Biology
– Anatomy & Physiology
– Physics
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– Imaging
– Pathology
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Career advancement opportunities for
Radiologic Technologists
• Specialize in a modality which brings a higher level of
expertise and increased salary (mammography,
nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, etc.)
• Pursue a management/supervisory track
• Teach or enter the education field
• Become a sales person for radiology-related
equipment or supplies
• Enter the specialized field of radiology-related
computer technology
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© 2005 Boston Private Industry Council
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Traits of successful Radiologic Technologists
• People skills
• Empathy
• Technical aptitude
• Flexibility/adaptability
• Desire to help others
• Ability to work in stressful situations
• Commitment to learning
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© 2005 Boston Private Industry Council
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Career settings for Radiologic Technologists
• Large Hospital Setting
• Community Hospital Setting
• Free-standing
Imaging Center
• Mobile Companies
• Physician’s Office
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Working conditions for
Radiologic Technologists
• Direct patient contact
• Varied work environment – emergency
room/Inpatient/Outpatient/Clinic
• On feet much of the time
• May require evenings/weekends/on call
• Lifting/assisting patients
• Varied pace and demands
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A changing profession
• Technological advances such as
digital imaging are changing the
face of radiology.
• Computers are replacing
darkrooms.
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A changing profession
• New applications continue to be
developed in all modalities.
• Technological advances create new
career opportunities.
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A sample of modalities within the field
• Diagnostic Radiography ionizing radiation or x-rays to
produce images of various parts of the body.
• Computed Tomography (CT) provides cross-sectional
or “3D” images of the anatomy.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses radio
frequency waves and magnetic forces to provide images
of internal organs and tissues.
• Sonography uses high frequency sound waves to create
images of tissues, organs, and vessels.
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© 2005 Boston Private Industry Council
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Diagnostic Radiography (“X-Ray”)
• Uses ionizing radiation to study anatomy and physical
structures in human or veterinary medicine.
• This is often the first step in a medical imaging career.
• Other modalities build on the foundation of diagnostic
radiography.
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Diagnostic Radiography
Look at the next two images and notice what is
different.
• The first image is a normal chest x-ray.
• The second image shows a chest x-ray of a person who
swallowed a whistle.
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Diagnostic Radiography
• A Radiologic Technologist must master the subjects of
anatomy and physiology. They are the foundations for
diagnostic radiography.
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Diagnostic Radiography
• The following image shows an x-ray of a hand with a
middle broken finger. A Radiologic Technologist must
know every bone in the body! Can you identify the broken
bone?
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Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
• CT uses a rotating x-ray machine to obtain cross-sectional
images or “slices” of the anatomy to observe a wide range
of angles within the body.
• CT can be used to image brain, neck, chest, abdomen,
pelvis and extremities.
• CT provides “3D” imaging to diagnose fractures, strokes,
cancer and other abnormalities.
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CT scan
• The next slide shows a CT of the abdomen. A CT “slice” is
a cross sectional image that provides a great deal of
information. Many slices are reviewed to make a
diagnosis.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Uses the magnetic properties of hydrogen to produce an
image.
• Uses a very powerful, super-conducting magnet.
• All planes in a body can be viewed.
• MRI is an effective diagnostic tool that demonstrates
tissue, muscle, cartilage, and fat using no ionizing
radiation.
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MRI
• The next slide is an image of a human brain taken with
magnetic resonance imaging.
• You can actually see the sections of the brain in the
image.
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Ultrasound, or Sonography
• Uses sound waves to study, treat and to reach a
body area.
• High frequency sound waves are transmitted to the
areas of interest and the returning echo is recorded.
• It is non-invasive and involves no radiation.
• Ultrasound is used in the diagnosis and treatment of
organ malfunctions.
• Sonographers work in hospital rooms, emergency
rooms, operating rooms and clinics assisting with
many complicated diagnostic procedures.
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Obstetrical Ultrasound
• Diagnoses an assessment of early pregnancies.
• Determines gestational age and fetal size.
• Determines multiple pregnancies.
• Determines sex.
• Observes a fetal image as observed in the next slide.
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Ask yourself again…could a career in Medical
Imaging be for you?
• The field of radiology is changing and expanding rapidly.
• There are many opportunities for a career in this exciting
and growing career.
• For more information on careers in medical imaging, click
on: www.radiologycareersma.org
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Acknowledgements
• Partners HealthCare System
• The Department of Labor
• The Boston Private Industry Council
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