Aug 12

Radiology Technician Job Description

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The radiology technician, also known as radiographers, take X-rays, conduct scans like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans and other imaging tests that help diagnose numerous diseases and ailments. The qualification and preparation for becoming a radiology technician is offered by many universities, colleges and hospitals. The main employers for the radiology technician are hospitals and diagnostic centers. The qualification requirements, along with the radiology technician job description are given below.

Radiology Technician Job Description – Qualification Requirement
There are certificate, associate degree and degree courses that proffer formal training to become a radiology technician. The duration of these courses vary from 1 to 4 years. Many students opt for the associate degree program. The radiographers or nurses with some experience in the radiology field, usually, prefer the 1 year certificate course in order to improve their skill set in a particular field. The bachelor’s degree is chosen by students who want to become teachers, administrators and supervisors. The formal radiology technician training programs include the courses in radio-biology, radio physics, medical ethics, medical terminologies, patient care procedure, human anatomy and physiology and basic principles of training.

Radiology Technician Job Description – Career Information
The radiology technician explains the basic procedure of taking an X-ray. The radiology technician must maintain a good relation with the patient. The radiology must tell the patients to remove any metallic object on their body because this object may create an obstruction for the X-rays to pass to the intended body part. The parts of the patient’s body that are not to be exposed to the X-rays, are covered with lead shields. Then, the radiology technician has to place the instrument properly so as to correctly focus it to the specified body part. The radiology technicians who are experienced in the radiology field can handle complex radiology instrument. In order to examine the soft tissues in the body, the patient is given a solution to drink. The contrast solution, along with the fluoroscope, highlights the tissues in the body. In this way, the radiology technician can easily examine the specified tissues. Besides conducting the imaging test and getting patients ready for the test, the radiology technician creates and maintains work schedules and keeps an account of purchase of new equipment.

The radiology technician must have the ability to interpret the radiology test that he has performed on the patient and give a detailed report along with the test results. The radiology technician must be able to distinguish between the normalcies and the abnormalities in the patient. The radiology scans and test determine fractures in bones, cysts and tumors in the body parts. Abnormal growth of some organs are also identified by performing the tests and scans. The total work hours for a radiology technician, are around 40 hours per week. However, there are emergency calls, even at night, for the radiology technician. Some radiology technicians go to patient’s home with the radiology equipment for diagnosis in case of emergency.

The radiographers must wear the protective gloves, shields and aprons to prevent the harmful radiations from affecting them. The radiology technicians must have a good stamina because they have to stand and perform various tests for the whole day. The salary of the radiology technician is decided on various factors. The qualification of the radiology, along with his experience in the radiology field, are taken into consideration. The location of this job plays an important role in deciding the salary of the radiology technician.

Experienced radiology technicians can work as an administrator in diagnostic centers or teachers at the training centers. This is also included in the radiology technician job description in addition to conducting tests and examinations.

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Mar 07

Why Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Radiology?

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While the most common route to becoming a Radiologic Technologist is an associates degree, a bachelor’s degree can be a smart option for those who are looking for specific types of positions within the context of medical imaging. Specifically, if you want to be a competitive job candidate for a supervisory position or to become a trainer, a bachelors degree will be a more appropriate option. In addition, if you have been working in the field as a Radiologic Technologist and have decided you want to pursue a job as a Radiologist Assistant, a bachelors degree is the next step in your education.

A bachelors degree in radiology is a significantly more robust education than an associates degree and there are different types of programs available depending on your career goals. Some programs focus on managerial skills, while others focus on advanced imaging modalities or interventional radiology procedures. The following are samples of courses you might expect to take during a radiology bachelors degree program:

- Principles of Quality Management in Medical Imaging
- Advanced Patient Care Issues
- Issues & Trends In Healthcare
- Medical Imaging in the Digital Environment
- Case Studies in Medical Imaging
- Radiology Management Series
- Physics & Instrumentation in Computed Tomography
- Principles of Mammography & Case Studies
- Clinical Aspects of Magnetic Resonance
- Advanced Imaging Modalities (Choose your area of specialization)

Those who have completed a bachelors degree will be more competitive job applicants for positions such as Diagnostic Imaging Director, Lead Radiologic Technologist, or Radiology Training Specialist. Some vocational schools and colleges may also find a bachelors degree in conjunction with proven work experience to be a sufficient level of education for these instructional positions.

A relatively new career path in the radiology community is the Radiologist Assistant (R.A.). This is the most senior level position one can pursue short of being an actual Radiologist M.D. The position requires completion of a masters degree and also has its own certification standards through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Many of the bachelors and masters programs offer hybrid programs in which most of the course work can be completed online, with the clinical requirements being carried out at a local facility under the supervision of an appointed radiology professional. A bachelors degree is a necessary step on the path to becoming an R.A.

If you are thinking of taking your education to the next level, a bachelors degree is a smart option. Whether you want to become a supervisor or simply make yourself stand above the rest, a radiology bachelors degree could be a smart option.

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Dec 12

Radiology Technician (Tech) Training

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<img src="http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/287809-402319-24.jpg" width="350" height="233" alt="Radiology Technician (Tech) Training" class="ImgBorder"

If you are looking for a job in the medical sector and also need to earn a respectable salary, then a career as a radiology technician may be most suited for you. You would need to go through formal training procedures and take up a few courses that would teach you to manage your responsibilities as a radiology expert.

Who is a Radiology Technician?

Radiology technicians, sometimes known as radiographers, are authorized personnel from the health care field who are responsible for carrying out diagnostic image analysis through X-rays. They are professionals who are well trained in anatomy, assisting the patients for scans and X-rays, diagnostic techniques and methods, medical image equipment protocols, radiation safety and technology, and basic patient care. They may also particularize in imaging procedures like MRI scans, echography, computerized axial tomography, etc.

They have to work together with physicians and nurses regarding the patient’s X-Ray or scan reports, and prepare an elaborated report on the imaging results. However, before being responsible for all these obligations, they are required to successfully complete the radiology tech training. Before carrying out an X-ray or any scan, a radiology technician has to inform the patient about the process, ask him to remove all jewelry or any metal materials from his body, and position him in a proper way to get the expected scan or X-ray results.

Radiology Technician Training

Radiology tech training duration may vary from a year to around four years, depending upon the individual’s previous work experience. There are several colleges, major hospitals, and vocational educational institutions that provide such training courses. One may even opt for trainings that are being provided by few branches of the military. These trainings meliorate the skills which are needed to effectively handle and operate different equipment of imaging scans or X-rays.

For being eligible to register for a formal training program, one would need to at least possess a high school diploma or any equivalent qualification. These courses and trainings include classroom teaching procedures that cover up wide range of related subjects like patient care; radiation technology, methods, safety, etc.; and physiological and anatomical subjects. Trainees are also taught about the rules and regulations of imaging technology, medical nomenclatures, pathology studies, and radiobiology.

Such training courses will earn you a certificate, such as an AS degree or a BS degree related to the radiology field. A majority of people who want to become radiology technicians normally prefer the AS degree which is a two-year course. Professionals who are already working as radiology technicians or nurses may opt for a one-year certificate program to change jobs or look forward to advanced levels of diagnostic imaging careers. There are some professionals, who in order to better the chances of more income enroll in the two-year AS degree after completing the certificate course.

If one still wants to excel ahead, he may choose the MS degree in the same field. In the USA, the ‘American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ is empowered to certify individuals who have successfully completed radiology technical training or the related degree. After completing education, one may apply for being licensed from his respective state.

The job prospects of radiology technicians are certainly on the rise, and the average starting salary may be in the range of $40,000 – $50,000 annually. So if you are really interested in a medical job and want to become a radiology technician, the first step you need to take is to complete a radiology technician training course from a reputed institution or college.

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