Exploring a Career as a Radiologic Technician

Radiography Technician as a Career

A radiography technician is a healthcare professional who produces diagnostic images using techniques like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. They work in various medical settings and require specific training available at colleges or hospitals. The field includes specializations and uses radioisotopes in nuclear medicine for both diagnosis and treatment.

Roles and Responsibilities

When considering a career as a radiography technician, it's essential to understand the role and the environments in which you could work. Technicians in this field are responsible for producing images of the body that assist in diagnosing medical conditions. These professionals may operate in various settings such as hospitals, doctors' offices, or specialized imaging centers.

The training to become a radiography technician can be obtained through programs that offer certificates, associate's degrees, or bachelor's degrees at hospitals, colleges, and universities.

Radiography technologists and technicians may specialize further in areas like computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or mammography. Day-to-day responsibilities include working directly with patients to explain procedures, preparing them for exams, and ensuring correct positioning for image capture. The resulting images or films are then analyzed by physicians or radiologists for diagnoses.

Specialization in Nuclear Medicine

The field also encompasses the use of radioisotopes in nuclear medicine, with over 10 million nuclear medicine procedures occurring annually in the U.S. Specialists in this area must understand not only the diagnostic but also the therapeutic applications of radioactivity in medicine.

Question:

Nina wants to pursue a career as a radiologic technician. What does she need to do?

Answer:

Nina will need to earn a master's degree and practice in the field.