Learning Radiology: Basic Information about the Field for Future Technologists

Do you have a passion for serving people? Are you intrigued and excited by medical technology? Pursuing a career as a radiologic technologist might be the right path for you.

Radiography is currently at the heart of modern medicine, helping medical professionals diagnose all sorts of diseases and conditions. As a radiologic technologist, you could have the opportunity to work with innovative technologies in the medical field. It is also a truly rewarding profession where you get an opportunity to directly serve patients and be part of a highly skilled team of healthcare professionals affecting lives every day.

If you are looking to become a radiologic technologist, this is the right time. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for this career will grow by 21 percent through 2022, much higher than the national average on all professions.

With increased job opportunities and tremendous advancement in technology, this is truly an exciting time for the profession, particularly for future technologists. But what should you know as you prepare to pursue this career path? Let us explore what it means to be a radiologic technologist and what you need to become one.

What is Radiology?

Long gone are the days when we would slap mustard seed on every ailment. Technological advancements and capabilities have made it possible for practitioners to accurately diagnose and treat medical conditions. Radiology is at the core of these capabilities. Radiology is a medical specialty that uses medical imaging equipment to diagnose and treat diseases within the human body.

This equipment ranges from X-ray machines, computer tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The word "radiologic" in this case refers to energy, both light and X-ray energy that spreads outwards – in other words, radiates. The specialty applies highly advanced medical imaging equipment to diagnose and treat ailments. It, therefore, follows that radiologic technologists operate and maintain the medical imaging equipment.

A radiologic technologist is a certified healthcare professional who performs diagnostic imaging procedures under the guidance of a physician known as a radiologist. Let us look at the specific roles that radiologic technologists perform in their job.

Interacting with Patients

One of the most rewarding aspects of this career is that you get to work directly with patients. In fact, a 2005 survey of radiologic technologists by The American Society of Radiologic Technologists reports that most people join this career because it is interesting and gives them an opportunity to help people.

As such, a technologist offers help and assistance to the patients before and after the imaging procedure. They help patients prepare physically by removing all jewelry and positioning properly as well as mentally by calming their nerves and answering to their concerns about the procedure. For a person who loves helping people, this could be gratifying.

Taking Images

After the patient is ready, the radiologic technologist moves forward to operate the imaging equipment and produce the required images. To attain the right image, the technologist must ensure that both the equipment and the patient are ready and in the right position relative to each other. They must also ensure that the image is of the highest quality possible without causing distress to the patient.

Observing Relevant Safety Procedures

Radiologic technologists often work with x-rays and other sensitive equipment. Extended exposure to x-rays can be dangerous. For this reason, the radiologic technologist is expected to carry out all necessary precautions to ensure that they shield the patient from the rays as much as possible. Additionally, they have a duty to ensure that they carry out their activities safely without endangering patients, co-workers, or themselves.

Maintaining the Imaging Equipment

It is the responsibility of the radiologic technologist to ensure that their workplace is clean, safe and operational at all times. This requires them to routinely clean the imaging equipment, clear the tables, replace disposable parts, adjust settings, and ensure that every part of the equipment is performing properly.

Interacting with other Medical Professionals

Radiologic technologists act at the guidance of a radiologist. They do not decide which tests a patient needs. Their role is to interpret the physician’s orders and produce the best quality images as required. The technologists must be in constant communication with the radiologist and by extension, the attending physician.

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

• Attention to detail. Rad techs need to follow instructions to the letter so that they attain the right image as required.
• Be an excellent communicator. Rad techs need excellent written and spoken communication skills to accurately document patient history and collaborate with co-workers.
• Ability to think out of the box. Once in a while, rad techs will be required to perform non-routine imaging procedures that will require them to think on their feet so as to attain the best quality image without causing distress to the patient.
• Interpersonal skills. Working with patients, nurses, physicians and radiologists, rad techs need to possess the right skills to understand and interact with different people. They especially need to be empathetic to patients.
• Math and science. As a science-based career, rad techs need an understanding of math skills and scientific principles to achieve the nest images.
• Technical skills. Rad techs work with complex machinery and computers and need to have a thorough understanding of how to operate and maintain them.
• Stamina. Rad techs spend most of their days on their feet and therefore need to be fit and have stamina.

Being a radiologic technologist could be an exciting career path. However, it is important to note that it requires full-time commitment. The career will pose many demands on your time and require you to be professional, accurate, and accommodating. If you have a person to serve others, this could be the career for you.

If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Radiography, ECPI University offers this course at an accelerated pace. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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