Radiographer

A radiologic technologist, also known as medical radiation technologist and as radiographer, performs imaging of the human body for diagnosis or treating medical problems. Radiologic technologists work in hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories and private practice. High occupational risks of cancer and infectious diseases are very common in this profession.

Radiation Hazard Symbol

Nature of the work

Radiologic technologists use their expertise and knowledge of patient handling, physics, anatomy, physiology, pathology and radiology to assess patients, develop optimal radiologic techniques or plans and evaluate resulting radio graphic images.

The allied medical professions include many branches such as, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, surgical technologist, nursing and others. The branch of the allied health field known as radiologic technology also has its own sub-specialties. The term radiologic technologist is a general term relating to various sub-specialties within this field. Titles used to describe the nature of the work vary, such as nuclear medicine technologist, radiographer, sonographer, radiation therapist, etc.

Radiologic technology modalities (or specialties):

• Diagnostic radiography – deals with examination of internal organs, bones, cavities and foreign objects; includes cardiovascular imaging and interventional radiography.
• Sonography – uses high frequency sound and is used in: obstetrics (including fetal monitoring throughout pregnancy), necology, abdominal, pediatrics, cardiac, vascular and musculo-skeletal region imaging.
• Fluoroscopy – live motion radiography (constant radiation) usually used to visualize the digestive system; monitor the administration of contrast agents to highlight vessels and organs or to help position devices within the body (such as pacemakers, guidewires, stents etc.)
• CT (computed tomography) – which provides cross-sectional views (slices) of the body; can also reconstruct additional images from those taken to provide more information in either 2 or 3D.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – builds a 2-D or 3-D map of different tissue types within the body.
• Nuclear medicine – uses radioactive tracers which can be administered to examine how the body and organs function, for example the kidneys or heart. Certain radioisotopes can also be administered to treat certain cancers such as thyroid cancer.
• Radiotherapy - uses radiation to shrink, and sometimes eradicate, cancerous cells/growths in and on the body.
• Mammography - use low dose x-ray systems to produce images of the human mammary glands.

As with all other occupations in the medical field, radiologic technologists have rotating shifts that include night duties.

Education

Education slightly vary worldwide mainly because of fairly common references. A high school diploma, passing the entrance requirements and criminal record clearance are mandatory for entry in the radiologic technology program. Formal training programs in radiography range in length that leads to a certificate, an associate or a bachelor's degree.

The educational curriculum substantially conforms worldwide. Usually, during their formal education, they must learn human anatomy and physiology, general and nuclear physics, mathematics, radiation physics, radiopharmacology, pathology, biology, research, nursing procedures, medical imaging science and diagnosis, radiologic instrumentation, emergency medical procedures, medical imaging techniques, computer programming, patient care and management, medical ethics and general chemistry to name a few.

Risks

• Leukemia, skin cancer and various cancers are very common to radiologic technologists as reported by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

• Ionizing radiation can break up the atoms and molecules and can harm your body or organs. During an x-ray, the radiologic technologist may lay a lead shield over the patient to block the radiation from hitting the areas of the body that is not being x-rayed and this is the most common way for the x-ray technologist to lessen the radiation when getting an x-ray done. Even lead, which radiologic technologists use to block some radiation or as markers, is highly toxic and poisonous.

Phase	Symptom	Exposure (Sv)
		1–2Sv (100-200 rem)	2–6Sv (200-600 rem)	6–8Sv (600-800 rem)	8–30Sv (800-3000 rem)	>30Sv (>3000 rem)
Immediate	Nausea and vomiting	5–50%	50–100%	75–100%	90–100%	100%
	Time of onset	2–6h	1–2h	10–60m	<10m	immediate
	Duration	<24h	24–48h	>48h	>48h	48h–death
	Diarrhea	None	Slight (10%)	Heavy (10%)	Heavy (90%)	Heavy (100%)
	Time of onset	—	3–8h	1–2h	<1h	<30m
	Headache	Slight	Mild (50%)	Moderate (80%)	Severe (80–90%)	Severe (100%)
	Time of onset	—	4–24h	3–4h	1–2h	<1h
	Fever	Slight–None	Moderate (50%)	High (100%)	Severe (100%)	Severe (100%)
	Time of onset	—	1–3h	<1h	<1h	<30m
	CNS function	No impairment	Cognitive impairment 6–20 h	Cognitive impairment >20 h	Rapid incapacitation	Seizures, Tremor, Ataxia
Latent Period		28–31 days	7–28 days	<7 days	none	none
Overt illness		Mild Leukopenia; Fatigue; Weakness	Leukopenia; Purpura; Hemorrhage; Infections; Epilation	Severe leukopenia; High fever; Diarrhea; Vomiting; Dizziness and disorientation Hypotension; Electrolyte disturbance	Nausea; Vomiting; Severe diarrhea; High fever; Electrolyte disturbance; Shock	Death
	Mortality without medical care	0–5%	5–100%	95–100%	100%	100%
	Mortality with medical care	0–5%	5–50%	50–100%	100%	100%

• Radiation of sufficiently high energy causes ionization in the medium through which it passes. This includes the Oxygen within the X-Ray department that technologists inhale. Radiation can cause extensive damage to the molecular structure of Oxygen either as a result of the direct transfer of energy to its atoms or molecules or as a result of the secondary electrons released by ionization.

• Radiologic Technologists are constantly exposed to various chemical hazards such as sulfur dioxide, glutaraldehyde, and acetic acid. These agents cause asthma.

• The effect of MRI after 15 minutes of cell exposure, changes cell morphology, develops branched dendrites featuring synaptic button. Some modifications in the physiological functions of cells were also reported.

• Ultrasound deforms biological cells in the acoustic field.

• Deadly Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Herpes and other infectious diseases are commonly encountered in this profession and the risk of infection is enormous.

• Spinal cord injuries from lifting heavy patients are very common.

Stress and Challenges

The health care industry is one of the most stressful places to work on the face of the Earth. It's one of the few places where life and death literally hang in the balance every day. Like many other health care professionals, radiologic technologists in particular endure massive job-related stress.

Medical imaging has always had its share of challenges. The profession has become especially stressful recently due to the lingering recession, which has brought on record-high unemployment among technologists, hospital closures, the threat of being laid off, and short staffing due to departmental budget cuts.

It is highly recommended to anyone thinking of entering this profession to interview a number of radiologic technologists face to face before getting carried away by promotional videos or juicy presentations which contradicts the overall reality of the situation by those employed in this profession.

In addition, the pressure of keeping up with the demands of registry bodies for mandatory continuing education plus expensive dues, really adds up to the burden of staying in this career.

References

1. Resources related to ultrasound technician career and training programs

1. Exploring Heatlth Care Careers Third Edition Volume 2. New York: Infobase. 2006. pp. 796–797. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

• American Society of Radiologic Technologists is the USA national professional organization.
• ISRRT is the international society for Radiologic Technology professionals around the world

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