X Ray Technologist Career
|
X-Ray Technologist Job Description
An X-ray technologist takes X-rays and CT scans to get a comprehensible and unambiguous image of various organs of the patient's body and/or administers non-radioactive materials in to the patient's blood for investigative purposes.
X-Ray Technologist Skills/Duties
An X-ray technologist reviews and assesses the developed X-rays, computer-generated data and video-tapes to decide whether the images are acceptable for investigation purposes.
He will use radiation safety measures and protection equipment to fulfill government norms as well as to guarantee safety of the patients and the workforce.
He gives details about the diverse procedures and observes patients to make certain about the patient’s safety. He supervises the operation of radiologic and magnetic-imaging devices to generate images of the body. The technologist supervises the video display of the organ system being scanned and fine-tunes the density / contrast to enhance the picture quality.
He positions the patient on the table and also positions the imaging device. He will adjust the controls of the equipment to fix the time of exposure and the distance.
The X-ray technician also sets-up the examination rooms, making sure that all the required devices and apparatus are ready.
The technologist will prepare and give injected / oral contrast medium to the patients.
The technologist must take a thorough and precise medical history.
The X-ray technologist records, processes and maintains patient information and therapeutic records, and prepares reports.
He coordinates work with other technologists and health care personnel. He may also carry out managerial duties like developing the budget, co-coordinating the purchase of supplies and machines and drawing out work schedules.
Additionally, the technologist takes care of the maintenance and emergency repairs on the radiographic equipment
X-Ray Technologist Education and Training
• X-ray technologists are required to complete high school or have a GED equivalent. Students should take science and mathematics courses, including biology, algebra, chemistry, physics, English, health, computer science and communication.
• You need to complete a formal training program after high school.
• As an admission precondition, you have to submit scores from standardized assessment tests, like, the SAT, ACT, COMPASS, HESI or ASSET examinations.
• Most applicants may have completed post-secondary program in physiology, anatomy, and medical terminology.
• You could attend a 2 year Associate's Degree Program or a 4 year Bachelor's Degree Program recognized by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The course comprises of classroom training and supervised clinical practice in patient-care procedures, radiology, radiation physics, medical terminology, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical ethics, pathology, physiology and anatomy.
• You will train in the fundamentals of radiological sciences and health care, patient care in radiologic sciences, ethics and law in the radiologic sciences, images analysis, radiation pathology, radiographic procedures, pharmacology and drug administration, digital image acquisition and display, radiation biology, radiation production and characteristics, imaging equipment, film-screen image acquisition and processing, basic principles of computed tomography, career preparation for radiography and complete program review.
• Next comes the licensing. Different states have different licensure laws.
X-Ray Technologist Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of X-ray technologists is projected to increase approximately by 15 %. These technicians work with revolutionary medical devices and machines, thus; it is essential for them to keep pace with changes in the field as contemporary technological advances are made.
X-Ray Technologist Salary
X-ray technologists with less a year of experience earn about $38,900 to $99,200 per year. After 10 years of experience, the annual earnings reach around $124,200 to $314,500.
|
|
|
|
|
|