Radiology techs produce images of patients' bones, organs, and soft tissue.
Radiologist techs are trained in operating equipment that take images of patients' bones, organs, and soft tissue. Broken bones and internal abnormalities can be found using radiology images, helping to diagnose illnesses such as irritable bowel disease, carotid artery disease, and infectious diseases. Formal training can take one to four years, with most radiologist techs earning associates degrees. One year certificate programs are available for those in the medical field who want to transfer to radiologist technology. Radiologist techs who want to become a teacher, supervisor, or administrator may earn a bachelor's or master's degree.
Equipment Operation and Care
Radiologist techs develop images quickly and accurately.
Radiologist techs set up and operate X-ray equipment and diagnostic imaging machines such as magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography. They carefully follow doctors' instructions concerning where on the body they must must accurately X-ray. They place nonradioactive matter such as dye or another contrast liquid into their patients' veins to help diagnose medical problems. They position the equipment. They perform tests safely by monitoring and adjusting the size of the beam and providing protective lead covering for areas that don't need to be X-rayed. Radiologist techs wear lead gloves, aprons, and shields to lower radiation exposure and wear a badge that measures and records their own radiation exposure. They develop film quickly and accurately, maintain the equipment, and recognize the variations in a patient's anatomy that would indicate an abnormality.
Patient Care and Management
Radiologist techs may have to lift and move disabled patients.
Radiologist techs explain X-rays, CT scans, and MRI procedures to patients and get them ready for the procedure. They often must move or lift patients and help injured, ill, or disabled patients to dress or change clothing. They have to make sure all jewelry and other metal objects are removed from the patient and to cover parts of the patient's body that are not being filmed with a lead shield for protection. They place the patient in the correct position and ease their fears by explaining what is being done during each step of the procedure, while carefully monitoring the patient. If a radiologist tech specializes in radiation therapy, they administer high doses of radiation to treat diseases such as cancer. They may also take continuing education classes and train to specialize in neuroradiology to study images of the brain, cardiovascular radiology to study images of the heart, blood vessels, veins and arteries, musculoskeletal radiology to focus on imaging bones and muscles, or pediatric radiology to determine illness in children,
Administrative Duties
Radiologist techs keep accurate patient records.
Radiologist techs take medical histories and keep accurate patient records. They may schedule appointments, prepare work schedules, and prepare reports. They may assign duties to other radiology staff members, keep track of inventory and prepare purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
Tags: Radiologist techs, accurate patient, accurate patient records, bones organs, bones organs soft
