What is a Radiologic Technologist?
Radiologic technologists are healthcare professionals who use imaging technology to help diagnose and treat medical conditions. They work under the supervision of radiologists, who are medical doctors that specialize in interpreting images.
Radiologic technologists perform a variety of tasks, including:
1. Preparing patients for exams by explaining the procedure, positioning them correctly, and applying any necessary equipment.
2. Operating imaging equipment such as X-ray machines, CT scanners, and MRI machines to capture high-quality images of the body’s internal structures.
3. Adjusting equipment settings based on the patient’s age, weight, and medical condition to ensure accurate images are captured.
4. Monitoring the patient during the exam to ensure their comfort and safety.
5. Analyzing the images produced by the imaging equipment to identify any abnormalities or areas of concern.
6. Providing radiologists with detailed information about the patient’s anatomy and any abnormalities that were detected during the exam.
7. Maintaining accurate records of each patient’s exams, including the images produced and any observations made during the exam.
Radiologic technologists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, and physicians’ offices. They may specialize in specific types of imaging technology, such as mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
To become a radiologic technologist, one typically needs to earn an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate in radiologic technology. Programs in radiologic technology are usually two-year programs that include both classroom instruction and clinical training. Graduates of these programs are eligible to take a certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to become certified, registered radiologic technologists (RRT).
In summary, radiologic technologists play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions by using imaging technology to produce high-quality images of the body’s internal structures. They work under the supervision of radiologists and are responsible for preparing patients for exams, operating imaging equipment, analyzing images, and maintaining accurate records.