| Have you ever gone to a hospital or clinic | | | | body. Irregularities or other visual cues in |
| and received an X-ray? If so, the person who | | | | the pattern of sound waves will clue them in |
| helped prepare you for the procedure was a | | | | to certain diseases or unhealthy conditions |
| radiology tech. Radiology technologists | | | | that may exist. |
| obtain the images used by physicians to | | | | |
| diagnose and treat internal diseases. There | | | | Sonographers work closely with physicians in |
| are various types of radiology tech jobs | | | | diagnosing illnesses. Those already in the |
| available today for those who are trained in | | | | medical field may receive sonography training |
| this specialized field of medicine. | | | | at a hospital; students can also get a degree |
| | | | in sonography from a two or four-year |
| Radiology tech jobs can be broken down into | | | | college. |
| four major categories. Each one requires a | | | | |
| certain amount of medical training, usually | | | | Nuclear Medicine Technologists |
| including a two or four-year bachelor's or | | | | |
| associate's degree in the science of | | | | For a radiology tech job specializing in |
| radiology. If you're interested in pursuing | | | | nuclear medicine, the applicant should be |
| this career or just looking for some more | | | | prepared to work carefully under demanding |
| information about it, the following is sure | | | | conditions. Some of the materials used in |
| to help. | | | | nuclear medicine are particularly dangerous, |
| | | | and the individual must be well-trained in |
| Radiographers | | | | order to handle them correctly. |
| | | | |
| Radiographers, also referred to as radiologic | | | | In nuclear medicine, unstable atoms that emit |
| technicians, perform the procedures that | | | | radiation can be used to diagnose certain |
| obtain X-rays needed by the physician. | | | | diseases in patients. These |
| Radiographers prepare the patient for the | | | | radiopharmaceuticals are given to patients, |
| X-ray procedure, set up the area with lead | | | | often by injection, by nuclear medicine |
| shields, and prepare the X-ray beam. They are | | | | technologists. The technologist then monitors |
| also responsible for developing the resulting | | | | the body functions with a camera, and notes |
| X-ray film. Radiographers generally work | | | | areas where radioactivity may concentrate to |
| under the physician's orders. A major part of | | | | indicate an abnormality or disease. |
| their job involves ensuring safe conditions, | | | | |
| as X-rays are hazardous if not handled | | | | Radiation Therapists |
| correctly. | | | | |
| | | | Radiation therapy is a different form of |
| Radiographers should expect to work closely | | | | radiology tech job in that it specializes in |
| with the patients. Their job includes | | | | treating, not just detecting, illnesses. |
| prepping the patient for the procedure and | | | | Radiation therapists give patients |
| explaining any questions that may arise both | | | | chemotherapy and other forms of radiology |
| before and after the X-ray is given. | | | | treatment to help treat cancer. They work |
| | | | closely with the patient and physician to |
| Sonographers | | | | bring the patient back to health and attempt |
| | | | to beat the disease. |
| For this type of radiology tech job, you will | | | | |
| be expected to produce images using | | | | Regardless of what type of radiology tech job |
| high-frequency sound waves instead of X-rays. | | | | interests you, you're likely to find an |
| While this procedure is designed for the same | | | | excellent job market with good pay and |
| purpose as an X-ray, it is an entirely | | | | benefits. A shortage of professionals in |
| different process and requires a special form | | | | these areas has resulted in high demand for |
| of training all its own. | | | | those with a two to four year degree in any |
| | | | form of radiology tech. If you're considering |
| Sonographers use a transducer to scan the | | | | a radiology tech job for your future, you've |
| patient's body, watching for results on a | | | | got a good chance of landing an excellent |
| connected screen that shows them the result | | | | career in a rapidly advancing medical field. |
| of the sound waves transmitting through the | | | | |