Posts Tagged ‘sophisticated medical equipment’
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 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. As a radiologic technologist, you can specialize in different areas, examples of which are Diagnostic Radiography for examining bones, cavities and foreign object in the body, Sonography which employs high-frequency ultrasound to take images of the body, and Radiotherapy which uses radiation to reduce or eliminate cancerous cells. Other examples are Fluoroscopy, CT or Computed Tomography, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Mammography. Before a radiologic technologist can take images of a patient’s body for diagnosis, he first makes sure that patients are prepared for the examination by briefing them on the imaging procedure that they are about to undergo. X-rays are very commonly used, and these professionals make sure jewelries and other interfering objects are removed from the patient. They also help minimize exposure of patients to radiation by providing them with protective apparatus like lead shields. Radiographers also ensure that the radiographic equipment is properly positioned at the right height and angle of the patient’s body to be scanned in order to ensure optimal image capturing. They also make use of an object similar to a measuring tape to assess the correct range of area to be scanned and manipulate the equipment to produce images of optimum detail, contrast and density. They then place an X-ray film beneath the body part to be photographed and after development it is then analyzed. 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 radiographic 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 radiographic equipment, work schedule preparation, evaluation of equipment purchases and managerial responsibilities as well. As with most medical profession, being a radiologic technologist requires one to be in good physical shape and stamina, as they will most likely be working actively on their feet for long periods of time and may be needed to help lift or turn disabled patients. They may also work either full-time or part time, work on evenings or graveyard shifts, even on weekends or holidays depending on where they are working.