Radiologic Technologist: Revealing The Body’s Secrets
May0
A radiologic technologist, also known as a radiographer, is a professional in the medical field who is responsible for taking medical images of the body, usually with an X-ray machine, and interpreting them in order to help doctors to diagnose and treat ailments and injuries. If one is interested in this medical field, education and training is needed and can be acquired from hospitals, universities, colleges and radiology tech schools. The term radiologic technologist is actually a general term which may refer to several specialties within this medical field. A professional in this field may also be called a radiographer, sonographer and therapist, all of them having different specializations. They also make use of sophisticated medical equipment in order to produce high quality images of the body. Being a radiologic technologist can bring you to different fields of specialization, and these can include Diagnostic Radiography for scanning the bones, cavities and foreign objects lodged in the body, Sonography for ultrasound scans, and Radiotherapy which harnesses the power of radiation to get rid or minimize cancerous cells in the body. Other fields include Fluoroscopy, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CT or Computed Tomography, Mammography and Nuclear Medicine. 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 radiographic 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. It is important that the radiologic technologist accurately complies with the doctor’s orders and follow the standards involving the proper use of radiographic equipment, as well as protecting themselves, patients and co-workers from unnecessary exposure to radiation. Besides preparation of patients and equipment operation, they can also keep track of patient records, maintain radiographic equipment, prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment acquisitions, and even management of a radiology department. Since a radiologic technologist belongs in the medical profession, being physically fit and healthy is a primary requirement. Expect to work on your feet most of the time, and perform some physically challenging tasks like lifting patients or medical equipment. Work can also either be full-time or part-time, have graveyard shifts or late schedules, including weekends or holidays should your workplace demand so.