What Do Radiologic Technologists Do?
What Is a Radiologic Technologist?
You’ve probably heard of radiographers before, and they’re exactly the same as radiotechnologists. Although they aren’t doctors, radiographers diagnose and treat broken bones, and use special equipment to diagnose a range of conditions. Radiographers perform X-Rays, ultrasounds and get to use the most advanced equipment when treating patients.
Some specialize in certain areas, but all radiographers are expected to be experts in CT scans and X-Rays. Radiologic technologists work in a range of environments, including hospitals, and GP offices. There are also options to work in nursing homes, specialist centers and outpatient clinics. So, what do you need to become a radiographer?
Skills and Qualities
We all have individual skills and weaknesses, but do yours mean you’ll make a great radiographer? As with all healthcare roles, radiographers must be compassionate, empathetic and understanding. Working in the healthcare industry is a stressful job, and many conflicts can arise. It’s important you can be patient and deal with patient complaints well.
Problem solvers enjoy working in radiography because they can use their skills to analyze and interpret results. It’s also essential that you’re able to work well in a team, as radiographers often work with doctors to implement treatment plans and patient aftercare programs. Think you’ve got what it takes?
The Duties
Radiographers have a lot of responsibilities, but the most critical aspect of their role is to shield patients from harmful radiation. This is done with the use of specialized equipment and reliable knowledge about radiation is required. Physicians rely on radiographers to perform necessary tests for diagnosing conditions. The radiographer is a central part of both diagnosing and treating a patient.
Many radiographers are also expected to maintain equipment and ensure it continues to work well. They must prepare patients for tests or X-Rays, ensure they take the right photos and scan in appropriate areas. Physicians also require radiographers to analyze and diagnose conditions by looking at the images taken from scans.
Common Misconceptions
We all have them, and radiographers face a lot of criticism about their role. Many people believe all they do is take X-Rays all day, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are also different roles within radiography. Radiologic technicians are responsible for preparing patients for tests and perform necessary duties. Radiologic technologists are experts at interpreting and analyzing images. Basically, it’s similar to the roles nurses have and the superiority of doctors.
Many radiographers start out as technicians and progress into a technologist role. These roles pay higher salaries and are more interesting in terms of job variety.
How to Become a Radio Technologist
If you want to become a radio technologist, there are plenty of options for you, but the role requires a lot of work and commitment. The first thing you’ll need to do is achieve a degree in radiography. This will qualify you to enter the field, and there are many radiologic tech programs.
Check your state college to look at the courses, and see if there are options for part-time study. It’s vital that you consider whether you’re willing to work hard to obtain your degree, especially if you have children. Balancing work with studying is difficult for anyone, but it’s even harder when children are involved.
Radio Technology is one of the most rewarding careers. Excellent pay, health benefits and daily challenges make it a popular area of study.
