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Radiographer

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A radiologic technologist, also known as medical radiation technologist[1] and as radiographer[2], 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 other proffesionals in the medical field, radiologic technologists may have rotating shifts, including 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

  • 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 are not being x-rayed (reducing the patient dose).
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.[4]

References

  1. ^ http://www.camrt.ca/
  2. ^ http://www.air.asn.au/
  3. ^ http://radiology.rsna.org/content/233/2/313.full
  4. ^ http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:a3PlbRg0EF4J:www.sciencenetlinks.com/messenger/lessons/dangers/dangers-ss2.pdf+%22effects+of+ionizing+radiation%22+air&hl=en&gl=ph&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjH3Z21HonVvzzaJlgPbiPSfn-YPN8mDbeSE5cUnk3wZSYFjarEJMkD3DlHVeNWCfd4m3LWlHz2Pzeo0Oe2Cva6CKUhPHCX6E0wmVIUqL1y0qSza7abZPb5ZkPpZpAFyexLYTxG&sig=AHIEtbTo0gRQPfUovKeHgqgAjR-gi-cH6Q
  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)

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