The career I have chosen to pursue is radiologic technology. I have been interested in x-ray for quite some time. At first, a simple picture of a broken wrist sparked my interest. It was beautiful. The advanced technology that allows us to see the inside of the human body without exploratory surgery for a diagnosis amazed me. As I looked further into this career, I found out just how fascinating this field is. Not only are the pictures helpful in finding loose fragments and setting a bone back in place, x-ray pictures can show pneumonia, cancer, and even heart failure. According to the career assessment test for interests and skills, my high scores are the following: arts, audio-video technology, communications, and human services. According to a test in work values, what is most important to me is having a variety and a sense of achievement in my chosen field of work. To rely on these results alone, I would be an excellent radiologic technologist.
The nature of work for radiologic technologists involves many tasks. Often referred to as radiographers, they take x-rays of the human body for a diagnosis. The techs remove jewelry and explain procedures, as well as position the patient to be appropriately radiographed. Lead shields are worn to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation, but techs are also required to follow strict regulations for the use of radiation to protect their patients and coworkers. In addition, radiologic technologists maintain equipment and patient records (Bureau of Labor Statistics). There are certain skills one should possess to be an effective technologist and these include active listening, talking to others to convey information effectively, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and c...
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Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians. 27 Dec. 2010. 2 Apr. 2011 .
O*Net Online, Summary Report for: 29-2034.02 - Radiologic Technicians. 2010. 2 Apr. 2011 .
Marshall, G. W and S. Keene. “Radiation Safety in the Modern Radiology Department: A Growing Concern.” The Internet Journal of Radiology 5.2 2007: N. pag. 24 Apr. 2011 .
Wilson, Shelley RT(R) CNMT. Online interview. Tiffany Collins. 7 Apr. 2011
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the effective doses from diagnostic CT procedures are typically estimated to be in the range of 1 to 10 mSv. This range is not much less than the lowest doses of 5 to 20 mSv estimated to have been received by some of the Japanese survivors of the atomic bombs. These survivors, who are estimated to have experienced doses slightly larger than those encountered in CT, have demonstrated a small but increased radiation-related excess relative risk for
The conversation around the rising costs of health care continues to be a high priority topic of discussion from consumer all the way up to the government. There are many products and services that contribute to the rising costs, as well as some responsibility left to practicing providers who choose to use high dollar radiology services for patient care. Ionizing radiation has been used for more than a century, however, this evolution or radiology services into widespread diagnostic and therapeutic uses has resulted in a significant increase in the population’s overall exposure to radiation with the potential to increase the risk of cancer (Amis & Butler, 2010). Examples of high dollar radiology services are services like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computer Tomography (CT) scans, and Echocardiograms. These services allow physicians t...
The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
Hearing the beeping and creaking noise of the machine, as the patient slowly rolls inside, is an everyday routine. As the patient sits inside, quietly panicking from claustrophobia, the patient’s body is scanned, hears reassuring words about how they are doing great and to stay still over the microphone. A twelve-year-old boy named Chase, had just recently fallen out of a tree and broke a few bones in his arm and collarbone. The Radiologist of the facility, Dr. Anderson M.D, instructs to scan the entire body just to make sure nothing else was sprained or broken as the boy’s body was covered in a few scrapes and bruises. As his body was being scanned, the MRI Tech and Chase start to ask each other questions to calm down his nerves and distract him from
They spend much of the typical day on their feet and with constant walking. Techs also commonly have to lift or move the imaging equipment themselves or with other people.Ultrasound technicians spend a lot of time on their feet and on the move.After being trained in diagnostic medical sonography , sonographers typically receive specialized training in gynecological sonography while on the job. However, most schools offer obstetrics/gynecological classes in their diagnostic medical sonography programs.2-year and 4-year programs consist of classroom coursework and clinical training. Associate degree program graduates are eligible for entry-level work in sonography while graduates with a bachelor's degree are eligible for professional registration, which may result in higher paying positions and increased job responsibilities. employers may prefer technicians who have received professional registration and
Physicians and Surgeons : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2014, January 8). Retrieved February 15, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm#tab-2
Radiation is something that the naked eye cannot see, yet has the potential to save lives one treatment at a time or even one image at a time. Since the discovery of x-rays in 1895, it has branched out into numerous modalities each independently specializing in their own ways. X rays are used to aid in the diagnosis and treatments of patients on a case by case scenario. Sometimes doctors can make a diagnosis on the same day or conclude that a patient will require radiation therapy within weeks to follow. Whatever it may be, the importance of x rays and radiation itself is a crucial part of the medical field when it comes to saving lives. Initially it all started with the discovery of x rays but then three years later radiation therapy was introduced to aid with
Attending Florida Southwestern State College to become an x-ray tech is a huge accomplish for me. Because I have a learning disability unfortunately I have to take remedial courses like intermediate algebra, Brush up English, and a reading course the first semester. The good thing about studying Radiology is you can switch to any type of jobs in this field. For an example, you can switch to working with MRI’s or Cat Scans if you want to try another department in the Radiology field. This specific field is for you to work with x-rays. It’s important to know the bone structure .You can work with ultrasounds to, Cat Scans, to MRI’s (Magnetic resonance imaging).
My personal experiences however, do set me apart. I did not always seek a career in radiology. My first semester in college I was actually striving to be a paralegal and quickly realized that although I have a talent for paying attention to small details and great communication skills, that particular career was not the way I wanted to utilize those natural talents. This forced me to really look deep within myself and figure out what career would give me a true sense of fulfillment, success and happiness; this led me to the Nursing field. Shortly after starting towards this career path I needed to take a break to focus on becoming a
The job requires a person to be active, flexible, and able to handle the work environment, outgoing, and helpful (Santa Fe College). If being a former athlete came easy to an individual, this career would also, because they require the same needs. Radiologic Technologists mainly work midnight shift working seven p.m. to seven a.m. on Friday through Sunday, and to make up forty hours they sometimes work a six hour shift on Thursday (Farmer, Belinda). Students that look forward to the thought of a family with kids, this would be perfect because they could attend school activities, sports, and any other extra-curricular activities. Radiologic Technologist us high-tech, expensive equipment and are an important part of a large medical team (The Society of Radiographers). Technology is interesting when it comes to helping someone, and helping someone makes it even better. Radiologic Technologists place and process x-ray film and position shields to protect patients from radiation (All Allied Health Schools). The slow, step-by-step processes is to assure safety of the image. The new Novel Imaging technique that blends aspects of magnetic resonance imaging with gamma ray imaging is supposed to be easier to obtain
When taking a radiograph there are some precautions that can be taken to reduce some of the radiation that can be exposed to a patient, what would be used on all patients is call a lead apron and thyroid collar, these aprons are used to protect the patients that may be a bit more radiosensitive and also may give the patient a little of reassurance that they will be protected. “Radiosensitivity is the relative susceptibility of cells, tissues, organs, organisms, or other substances to the injurious action of radiation.”
However, Radiographer A raised her concerns regarding patient’s safety to her colleagues. She also emphasized the necessity of lead shields for X-rays. Through this incident, the role of an implementer was observed in Radiographer A. By addressing concerns constructively, it aids to maintain the dynamics and structure of the team and promote teamwork (Risser et al., 1999). In view with the AHPC code of conduct, professionals ought to abide by all laws and regulations by the council (AHPC, 2013). This conduct should be sustained dutifully despite varying unforeseen circumstances such as time
...why does the technologist step behind a shield to prevent exposure to themself?" The radiation dose for each exam is relatively small, but over time, the dose can add up. There are many state and federal regulations limiting the total radiation dose that may be received by people working with radiation. To comply with those regulations, the technologist must follow strict precautions to keep their cumulative exposure to a minimum.
For me the TMCC radiologic technologist program has been tremendously rewarding. It is a challenging academic curriculum that allows much more hands-on experience working with scientific equipment than most medical support degree programs. At the same time, I know that completing the program will enable me to work in a wide range of different clinical specialties in an area of medicine that will always be in very high demand in the job market after graduation.
Radiology technology is a science of using radiation to produce images. There are many jobs you can perform in diagnostic imaging usually a radiologic technologist will oft...