Radiology
Imaging Technician
Nuclear
Medicine Technologist
Radiation
Therapist
Radiologic
Technologist
Medical Dosimetrists
 Technological advances in instrumentation have helped to
improve the quality of medical care. The development of new machines and
techniques has led to earlier diagnosis of disease, more effective treatment,
and easier maintenance of body functions.
Technologists and technicians operate and monitor
life-saving and life-sustaining equipment. These specialists use such
techniques as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, positron
emission tomography (PET), computerized axial tomography (CAT), ultrasound,
and radiography (X-ray) to show the presence of disease or injury by
obtaining visual information about internal structures. They also use
radioactivity lasers, or linear accelerators in the diagnosis or treatment of
disease.
Training in the field of diagnostic and technical
instrumentation varies, depending upon the degree of sophistication of the
instrumentation being used. Some careers require one or two years of
education after high school, while many require a college degree plus
additional training. New developments in equipment technologies should
provide more jobs and career advancements for men and women trained in
diagnostic assessment
Imaging Technician
Imaging Technologists
operate equipment that measures and records heart action by monitoring and
graphically tracing the electrical activity occurring during a heartbeat.
Physicians use the graphs (electrocardiograms) in diagnosing heart ailments,
monitoring heart functions, and recording a patient’s progress.
Work Activities
* Obtaining information for
EKG records, including patient identification, history, and medication use
* Connecting electrodes to
leads from the electrocardiograph machine with small clamps or screw attachments
* Moving the chest electrode
across specific chest areas to record the pulse from electrodes
* Directing patients to
perform physical exercise as specified by the physician
* Recognizing emergencies
and assisting the physician in responding to them
* Identifying abnormal heart
rhythms
* Pasting and labeling
tracings on mounting cards and sending them to the physician for interpretation
Imaging Technologists
who work in a physician’s office may perform office duties, such as scheduling
appointments, maintaining patients’ files, and sending bills.
Career Specialties
With additional on-the-job
training and experience, Imaging Technicians may operate one or more types of
cardiodiagnostic equipment and may be designated accordingly. The following are
examples of some specialists:
Cardiac Catheterization
Technologists insert a tube into a
blood vessel, then ease the tube forward into the heart so that the condition of
the vessels and the heart can be examined with the aid of a television monitor.
Cardiopulmonary
Technologists use invasive and
non-invasive procedures to test the lungs and heart.
Cardiovascular
Technologists measure and analyze
heart functions using invasive and non-invasive procedures. The test data is
used to determine the presence and extent of heart disease.
Echocardiograph
Technicians use ultrasound diagnostic
equipment to produce two-dimensional, ultrasonic patterns and positive pictures
of the heart chambers and valves to detect problems, such as
congenital defects.
Holter Monitoring
Technicians monitor special
electrocardiograms that are recorded on cassettes attached to patients for a 12-
to 24-hour period in order to record irregular heart action.
Stress-Testing
Technicians use cardiodiagnostic
equipment to record heart activity during physical exercise.
Work Settings
Imaging Technicians often
work under the direction of a cardiologist and may supervise the training of
less experienced Imaging Technicians. Frequently, the work is done somewhat
independently in patient care areas. Conscientious and accurate work is
required. Imaging Technicians work in hospital laboratories, clinics, or
doctors’ offices. Because imaging equipment is movable, they may work at a
patient’s bedside if the individual’s condition warrants it.
Special Requirements
The minimum educational
requirement for Imaging Technicians is high school graduation or its equivalent.
Often, three to six months of on-the-job training under the supervision of an
experienced Imaging Technician or a cardiologist is required. Cardiovascular
technologists require specialized instruction and must complete two to four
years of study at an accredited community or junior college.
Educational Institutions
None in Arkansas
For more information,
contact:
Alliance of
Cardiovascular Professionals
Thalia Landing Offices, Bldg. 2
4356 Bonney Road, #103
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1200
(757) 497-1225
www.acp-online.org
American Society of Echocardiography
1500 Sunday Drive, Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 861-5574
www.asecho.org
Nuclear Medicine
Technologist
Nuclear Medicine
Technologists prepare, measure, and
administer radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive materials) that are used to
detect and treat disease.
Work Activities
* Reviewing physicians’
orders and patients’ records to determine when a procedure is required
* Preparing various
radiopharmaceuticals,
calculating the correct dosage, and administering the appropriate material to
the patient
* Evaluating the patient’s
condition and explaining the procedure to the patient
* Positioning and
adjusting the equipment over the body area to be studied; operating the
imaging
systems to perform the procedure
* Using radioactive
substances to perform laboratory tests on specimens from the body
* Using quality control
techniques to assure the quality of radiopharmaceuticals and to ensure the
efficient and effective operation of equipment
Some Nuclear Medicine
Technologists may have laboratory, research, and/or administrative duties.
Work Settings
Nuclear Medicine
Technologists report to a supervisor or a nuclear medicine physician.
Technologists usually work alone when operating equipment and conducting
laboratory tests. Work usually is performed in a specialized laboratory or
other hospital or clinical setting. A potential hazard of exposure to
radiation exists while preparing doses and handling body products that contain
radioactive isotopes. However, using protective lead shielding and constantly
monitoring the laboratory with radiation detectors help to safeguard the work
surroundings. Specially designed film badges are worn by all nuclear medicine
personnel to measure radiation exposure. All workers wear disposable gloves
and use special equipment when preparing radiopharmaceutical doses. Rigid
adherence to established laboratory techniques and standards of the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission minimize hazards.
Special Requirements
Nuclear Medicine
Technologists must be certified or be eligible for certification before
employment in Arkansas. Two associations that offer certification for the
Nuclear Medicine Technologist are the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technologists Certification Board of
the Society of Nuclear Medicine.
Educational Institutions
Nuclear Medicine
Technologist/Technician: ASUJ, BHS, UAMS, UCA (B)
For more information,
contact:
Nuclear Medicine Imaging Sciences Program
Department of
Imaging and Radiation Sciences
University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences
4301 W. Markham, slot 714
attn: Martha Pickett
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 686-6848
Society of Nuclear Medicine
1850 Samuel Morse Drive
Reston, VA 20190-5316
(703) 708-9015
www.snm.org
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Radiation
Therapist
Radiation Therapists assist radiation oncologists (physicians who use radiation to treat
cancer) in administering radiation treatment by exposing specific areas of the
patient’s body to ionizing radiation. They must exercise judgment in
protecting themselves and the patient from unwanted radiation.
Work Activities
*Assisting the oncologist
in planning treatment procedures, including tumor localization and dosimetry
(dose determination)
*Helping the patient
assume the correct position for treatment and monitoring the patient during
the treatment
*Administering radiation
therapy according to the prescription and instructions of the oncologist using
a variety of therapeutic equipment
*Attending to the
patient’s needs while under the care of the therapist and monitoring the
patient’s responses to therapy in order to note and report any unusual or
adverse reactions
*Applying principles of
radiation physics and safety to limit radiation exposure of the patient and
self
*Recording patients’
treatments accurately
Work Settings
Most Radiation Therapists
work in hospitals. Qualified professional may work in private offices, public
health and governmental facilities, or cancer treatment centers. Radiation
hazards exist, but are minimized by adhering to strict procedures and using
protective equipment
Educational Requirements
Formal training programs
are the most popular means of entrance into this field. In 1995, there were
125 accredited radiation therapy programs offered in hospitals, colleges, and
vocational-technical institutes. A training option for radiographers
interested in pursing a career in radiation therapy is the one-year
certificate program. For others not already involved in the radiologic field,
training options include a two-year hospital certificate program, a two-to
three-year associate’s degree, or a four-year bachelor’s degree from a college
or university. Licensure of radiation therapists was required by 26 states in
1995, and most employers prefer the therapist to be voluntarily certified. The
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists offers the ARRT certification
for radiation therapy technologists as well as for radiographers. A biannual
continuing education requirement must also be filled by these technologists.
Educational Institutions
ASUJ, UAMS (B)
For more information,
contact:
Association of
Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers
1875
I Street NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
888-334-4542
http://afroc.org
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Radiologic
Technologists
Radiologic Technologists,
also called Radiographers or X-Ray Technologists, assist
radiologists in the use of X-ray and fluoroscopic equipment for the diagnosis
and treatment of disease or injury. X-rays act on photographic film to produce
radiographs (X-ray pictures), which allow physicians to study internal organs
and bone. Fluoroscopes use X-rays to allow physicians to observe internal parts
of the body.
Work Activities
* Reviewing the physician’s
orders and patient’s records to determine the procedure required
* Evaluating the patient’s
condition and explaining the X-ray procedure to the patient
* Adjusting the radiographic
equipment to give the most comprehensive view of the portion of the patient’s
body to be X-rayed
* Determining the proper
voltage, current, and exposure time for each X-ray
* Preparing and
administering mixtures that are required for some procedures
* Assisting the radiologist
in performing sophisticated or invasive procedures
* Using quality control
techniques to assure efficient and effective operation of equipment
Career Specialties
Radiologic Technologists
may specialize in the use of certain pieces of equipment or in the use of
procedures that involve specific parts of the body.
Radiation Therapy
Technologists prepare cancer patients
for treatment and administer prescribed doses of ionizing radiation to specific
body parts.
Sonographers,
also known as ultrasound technologists, use non-ionizing, ultrasound equipment
to transmit high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body, then
collect reflected echoes to form an image. Sonographers explain the procedure,
record additional medical history, and then position the patient for testing.
Viewing the screen as the scan takes place, sonographers look for subtle
differences between healthy and diseased areas, check for factors such as
position obstruction, or change of shape, and judge if the images are
satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
Work Settings
Radiographers usually work
under the direction of radiologists or other physicians in hospitals, clinics,
or physicians’ offices. In hospitals, some Radiographers operate mobile X-ray
equipment at the patient’s bedside, in the emergency room, or in surgery. Others
work in medical laboratories or for private industry.
Special Requirements
To be registered, Radiologic
Technologists must complete formal training at an American Medical Association
(AMA)-approved hospital or school. High school graduation or its equivalent is
required for acceptance into a radiologic technology program. Most hospital and
college programs are at least two years in length.
Educational Institutions
Radiologic
Technologists/ Technicians:
ASUJ, ASUMH,
BHS, EACC,
NAC, NPCC, SACC, SEAC, SVI, UAMS, UAFS (All A); ASUJ, UAFS, UAMS(All B)
Sonography: ASUJ,
UAFS,
UAMS (All B)
For more information,
contact:
American Society of
Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
15000 Central Ave., SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123-3917
www.sasrt.org
Medical Dosimetrist
Medical
Dosimetrists work as part of radiation
therapy teams in hospitals and radiation therapy centers, calculating the proper
doses of radiation for their patients. Dosimetrists use computer programs and
three-dimensional images to calculate the doses.
Work
Activities
Dosimetrists work with an
oncology team and are skilled in the calculation and planning of radiation
doses. They use various tools to determine the correct dose, which is approved
by the radiation oncologist before being administered to the patient. This
career has emerged because of the need for precision in the treatment of cancer
with the use of radiation. Dosimetrists also play an important role in patient
care after treatment. They help to monitor the patient’s surroundings,
establish safe distances for visitors and staff, enlist the use of shields if
necessary, and communicate with individuals about safe practices.
Work
Settings
Dosimetrists can find work
in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and medical research laboratories. The
work week should be a standard 40-hour week, though weekend and evening shifts
may arise.
Special Requirements
Certification is available
for current radiation therapy technologists or for individuals with a bachelor’s
degree in science and a medical background. Upon completion of an accredited
program, the individual may take an exam offered by the Medical Dosimetrists
Certification Board (MDCB) to become a certified medical dosimetrist (CMD).
Continuing education hours are required in order to maintain certification.
Educational Institutions
UAMS (B) and (Adv C)
For more information,
contact:
Medical Dosimetry Program
Department of Imaging and Radiation Sciences
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 W. Markham, Slot 771
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-686-7100
http://www.uams.edu/chrp/dosimetry/
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