Download Radiologic Technologist on the Medical Imaging Team

The Health Care Science
Project: Radiographer
By: Khady Diack
Andrea Enriquez
Career Overview
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Use x-rays to show
organs
Done for diagnostic
problems
Prepare patients for xrays
Explain the
examination
Prepare patients for
procedure
Career opportunities
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High demand so excellent opportunities
Work in a variety of settings, including
hospitals and clinics
More than 180,000 radiographers
nationwide
Excellent career mobility
Earning Potential
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Starting salary is
between $30,000
to $35,000
Starting salary is
$40,000 at large
hospitals
Those in specialty
areas can earn up
to $55,000
Nature of the Work
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Diagnostic Radiography – to look through tissue to examine bones,
cavities and foreign objects
Sonography – uses high frequency ultrasound and is increasingly used
due to its economy, safety, and versatility in obstetrics
Fluoroscopy – live motion X-ray (constant radiation) usually used to
image the digestive system
CT (computed tomography) – which provides cross-sectional views
(slices) of the body
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – builds a 2-D or 3-D map of
different tissue types within the body
Nuclear medicine – this uses radioactive tracers which can be
administered to examine how the body and organs function, for
example the kidneys or heart
Radiotherapy (Radiation Therapy)- uses radiation to shrink, and
sometimes eradicate, cancerous cells/growths in and on the body.
Mammography - uses x-ray to image the breast tissues.
Education in the U.S.
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Take classes that
expand
communication skills
Possess critical
thinking skills
Must be in a two or
four year program
In addition, they
should be patient and
compassionate
Advancement
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Staff technologists may become
specialists
Technologists may advance to become a
radiologist assistant
Experienced technologists also may be
promoted to supervisor, chief radiologic
technologist, and, ultimately, department
administrator or director
Technologists may progress by becoming
directors in radio technology programs
Related Occupations
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cardiovascular
technologists and
technicians,
clinical laboratory
technologists and
technicians,
diagnostic medical
sonographers,
nuclear medicine
technologists,
radiation therapists,
Skills You Must Possess
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Professional competence
Honesty with patients
Patient confidentiality
Maintenance of appropriate relations with patients
Sensitivity to patients of diverse backgrounds
Improvement of quality of care
Improvement of access to care
Just distribution of finite resources
Scientific knowledge
Maintenance of trust by managing conflicts of
interest
Maintenance of appropriate relations with other
physicians and healthcare professionals
Radiologic Technologist on the
Medical Imaging Team
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Accurately position
patients
ensuring that a
quality diagnostic
image is produced
Work closely with
radiologists
often specialize in
a particular
diagnostic imaging
area
Eric O.Montague: Famous
Radiographer
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5+ years experience
Listed in Texas as a
radiography trainer
Worked overseas
Worked in PetroChem,
Powerplants, Pipelines
and Refinery
shutdown Turnaround
enviroments
Holds a Texas Red
Card for Gamma
Cites
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Clinic, Mayo (2003). Radiography Career
Overview. Retrieved February 27, 2009, from
Mayo School of Health Sciences Web site:
http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/rad-career.html
Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia (2009).
Radiologic Technologist. Retrieved February 27,
2009, from Wikepedia Web site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiologic_technologi
st
United States Department of Labor, Brueau of
Labor Statistics (2007). Radiologic Technologists
and Technicians. Retrieved February 27, 2009,
from Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos105.htm