In the medical field, imaging modalities are constantly being updated and improved with the advancing technology of today’s society. Radiology is a technology-driven field and requires for knowledgeable radiologic technologists to be able to use this technology to people’s benefits. Technologists also have to be knowledgeable in other concepts such as procedures, radiation dose, patient positioning, pathology, radiation safety, and patient care. This is an important field in the medical world that many people believe is just as simple as pushing a button, when in reality, there is a lot to it.
A radiologic technologists (radiographers) mission is to produce good-quality diagnostic images for the radiologist to read and give
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Radiologic imaging uses ionizing radiation which can cause the ionization of matter. This is when the energy of the ionizing radiation interacts with an atom and causes electrons to disconnect from the atoms orbit. This process can cause an atom to become very unstable. The resulting unstable atoms can then react with surrounding molecules and cause a break in chemical bonds in the matter. Now relating this to the human body, this “means ionizing radiation can damage our DNA and other key molecular structures within the cells of our tissues and organs.” (Venosa) These changes from receiving radiation have the potential to create malignancies, abnormalities, and can increase the risk of getting cancer. This is why it is important to protect and shield patients with a lead shield which helps to absorb the radiation. Technologists should always try to shield the reproductive organs because they are the most susceptible and absorbable parts of the body when it comes to receiving radiation. It is especially important to shield pediatrics and adolescents, as well as those who are still in reproductive age. The radiographer also can adjust the amount of x-ray the patient receives based on the body part being radiographed, the patient’s size, and the pathology. For instance, the technique used for an abdomen radiograph would not be the same technique as a hand radiograph because …show more content…
In order to understand the positioning of a part, a radiographer must be able to identify all the bones and be familiar with where the anatomy lays. The different projections (PA/AP, oblique, lateral, etc.) help to demonstrate different structures of the bones. For all the projections in radiology, there are certain positioning and centering guidelines for each one. There is angulation of a part or x-ray tube in order to see a certain structure or to project a structure above or below the part of interest. There are also certain degrees of rotation to open the joints of a bony structure or to prevent superimposition of the anatomy of interest. Positioning is important in order to correctly see the anatomy and to identify what is normal and what is not. If the positioning is not correct, it could throw the anatomy off and what could potentially be there would not be in sight (like a fracture or cyst for example), leading to the patient being undiagnosed and not getting the proper treatment. The centering also varies for all of these projections as well. The proper centering of a part results in a better-quality image with a good exposure index (how much radiation the patient received.) If a technologist were to center off of the part and penetrate through just tissue and no bone, then the image will appear
Professionalism is at the cornerstone of a radiographers practice. It ensures a patient can entrust skills and competence of the professional. The Australian Institute of Radiography list what radiographer should demonstrate in an fluoroscopic interaction. Highlighted is the need for expertise in infection control, setting parameters for screening, exposure factor comprehension, being a team member and being “mindful of… radiation protection” (Radiography, 2013). Being aware of the radiation exposed to the patient and team members is essential in practice. The governing body that regulates ionizing radiation is ARPANSA, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safty Agency. They cite the “ALARA” priciple as the phiosophy for preventing radation to the patient. That is to keep dose As Low as Reasonably Archiveable (Protection, 2011). This can be achieved practically
Imagine this: ten seconds left in your regional high school basketball game, and you go up for a layup, but when you come down you land on your ankle wrong. You’re sure it’s broke, and you need an x-ray. So what happens when you go to the hospital? Will the doctor take the x-ray or will someone else take it? When a situation like this happens, a person will go see a doctor, but a radiologist technician will be the one to take the x-ray. A radiologist technician, also known as a radiographer, performs imaging examinations such as x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans on patients. To become a radiologist technician, people will need many years of schooling, but once the schooling is completed, it will be well worth it for the benefits and pay.
If you have thought about becoming a Radiologic Technologist, someone who performs imaging examinations, but do not know if it is the right choice for you. This paper will inform the reader as to how to become a Radiologic Technologist, their job description, ranging from the work settings to the kind of patients they deal with, some of the challenges and rewards, including their salary as well. At the end of this paper you should be able to make up your mind on becoming one or not.
Radiologic technologists, or x-ray techs, are medical professionals who take radiographic pictures of bones. They are assistants to radiologists; the x-ray techs take the pictures and the radiologists examine the x-ray and diagnose what is wrong with the patient. “They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care” (American Society of Radiologic Technologists, 2017). It is crucial that x-ray techs be exact and precise or else the pictures will be incomprehensible, thus making it nearly futile for the radiologist to interpret them.
Radiology technicians play an important role in society and have the ability to make a positive impact on people’s lives. They have the ability to make a difference in a patient’s live by employing their communication and patient care skills. Working as a radiology technician would allow me to fulfill my passion for helping others and making an impact while working in a career that I know I would love. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside many radiology technicians for over 4 years and have come to realize the vital role they play in Healthcare. The fast-paced work environment and major responsibility is something that I am intrigued by. I find radiologic imaging such a fascinating technology and am extremely passionate to make a career out of it.
A radiologist is a medical specialist, who has had specific postgraduate training in performing and interpreting diagnostic imaging tests and interventional procedures or treatments that involve the use of X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging equipment. Radiologists are trained to assist other doctors and specialists to treat their patients by making a diagnosis and providing treatment using medical imaging. Radiologists have the medical knowledge to understand and explain your medical problem or symptom through the images or pictures that are taken of various parts of the inside of your body. The tree types of radiology are Diagnostic, Interventional, and Radiation oncology. The Diagnostic imaging uses plain X-ray radiology, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging techniques to obtain images that are then interpreted to aid in the diagnosis of disease.
If you have thought about becoming a Radiologic Technologist, someone who performs imaging examinations, but do not know if it is the right choice for you. This paper will inform the reader as to how to become a Radiologic Technologist, their job description, ranging from the work settings to the kind of patients they deal with, some of the challenges and rewards, including their salary as well. At the end of this paper you should be able to make up your mind on becoming one or not.
Radiology is a medical specialty that uses different imagaing technologies to diagnose and to treat many different diseases and injuries that are inside the human body. Being a professional in the health care environment today is a very important job. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) created a mandatory continuing education (CE) exam for all radiologic technologist. The ARRT defines the continuing education requirements as "planned, organized and administered to enhance the knowledge and skills underlying the professional performance that the technologist uses to provide services to patients, the public or the medical profession. To qualify as a CE activity, it must provide sufficient depth and scope of a subject area."
Radiology technicians work in the field of diagnostic medicine. X-ray Technologists have been trained to do diagnostic tests by using different medical imaging devices such as: x-rays, CT scans and MRI’S. They are trained to use doctor’s orders to get the information to do the correct diagnostic imaging best for the patient. Using the proper notes from the doctor you can get the correct angle of the bone or place of origin to get a clear imaging for the proper diagnosis. With increasing population comes a higher demand in the medical world.
Radiologic technology is a satisfying and rewarding career. It is a technical and refined science. As a radiological technologist, there are many essential duties and responsibilities that have to be fulfilled in order to be a good one. First of all, radiological technologists have to maintain a well-mannered and professional behavior when gathering information. They have to assure their patients that they are in good hands therefore; they give patients the uppermost quality of care and services. Second of all, the main responsibility of a healthcare provider is to keep all knowledge of a patient’s health record confidential or secluded. That means radiological technologists cannot talk about patients at home or with friends and classmates
I currently attend Baton Rouge General School of Radiologic Technology to pursue an Associates degree through Northwestern State University. I chose this profession because I always want to help others. I want to play a part in the healing process of patients. Being able to help people determine things going on inside their body interest me and that is why I chose Radiology. The true definition of a Radiologic Technologist is the “medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care”. This definition makes this job seem easy but it is not an easy job at all. We do so much pushing, pulling, and lifting of patients it is physically exhausting. When I first chose this profession I did not think there would be this much to taking images of someone. It is more than just placing a patient somewhere and
Patient Care is a very broad and widely talked about topic in the health care field. There are things concerning today 's medical imaging technologists, mainly the radiographic technologist that will be touched upon throughout this
The first modality is radiography which utilizes x-rays to generate images. Mammography and Computed Tomography (CT) also use x-rays. Depending on which test is used, hard or soft tissue can be visualized. Classical radiography is used to create images of hard tissue like bones, and can be used to diagnose broken bones. Radiography can provide projections of the human body that showcase the depth and position of the anatomy. Screen-film radiography and digital radiography have spatial resolutions of .08 and .17 mm respectively. Temporal resolution for radiography is typically less than half a second. Despite the fact that radiography is relatively cheap and fast compared to other modalities, there are concerns of being wrongfully or overly exposed to radiation which may lead to an increased risk of cancer in the patient. Mammography is a specialized form of radiography that is designed to image breasts to aid in diagnosing breast cancer. It can be used to showcase glandular and fatty tissues, the skin line, and any cancerous or calcified masses. Mammography is the preferred method of detecting break cancer due to its high sensitivity and benefit to risk ratio. CT is another form of radiography that can create highly detailed, 3-D
Competencies Required for the Practice of Diagnostic Imaging General is a document produced by the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. It outlines the competencies and skills that are required for a Medical Imaging Technologist to practice in New Zealand in a safe, professional, patient, and focused manner (MRTB, 2011).One of these requirements is being able to evaluate images and decide whether they are diagnostic and contain any pathologies. This is stated in skill 7.5 Process and evaluate image. Medical Imaging Technologists are the first medical professionals to review each image as they are taken. Therefore their role is very valuable and they are able to pass on important and potentially life threating pathologies about the patient that may affect the patient’s outcome and treatment plan. Currently in New Zealand Medical Imaging Technologists do not formally report images as this is not part of their working requirements. In the United Kingdom however there is a shift to some preliminary image reporting being carried out by Medical Imaging Technologists who have qualifications to do so.
One of another main reason for all the irregularities during the procedure occur mainly due to the confusion of communication between the radiographer and the surgeon because of a formal language is not being used in order to operate the fluoroscopy (Suhm et al., 2003 ).This creates a confusion and loss of crucial time which eventually leads to numerous position adjustments, while doing so the radiographer had to expose the patient several times before the desired position can be obtained which can prove to be serious threat depending upon the nature of patient as exposure to radiation differs depending upon the nature and status of a patient.