Radiologic Technicians : Job Description, Education & Career Outlook

The medical and healthcare services industry offers aspiring candidates a host of career opportunities. One of these is the position of radiologic technicians, also referred to as radiographers. The basic role of these technicians is to conduct diagnostic imaging procedures for patients. They take patient x-rays (radiographs) and also work closely with other professionals like cardiovascular technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, nuclear medicine technologists. To conduct various diagnostic imaging procedures, radiologic technicians need to administer different non-radioactive materials in the bloodstream of patients.

While getting the patient ready for a range of radiologic tests or examinationations, radiographers explain the diagnostic procedure to patients in brief. They guide them on how to get the diagnostic imaging procedures completed successfully. They inform patients about things like removing jewellery and other such accessories from the body before going for an x-ray. There are a number of objects through which x-rays can not pass. Therefore, it is duty of the radiologic professionals to explain these things to the patients before the imaging procedure begins.

Radiographers are trained in the use of a wide range of radiographic equipment. They know about the harmful rays that emit during a diagnostic imaging and how to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure. To protect the body against the harmful effects of these rays, they cover the body parts with special radiation protection devices. Besides placing these devices on the body parts, they are also trained in how to limit the size of the x-ray beam so as the avoid the radiation exposure. In addition, they are responsible for the appropriate positioning of radiographic equipment over the body of the patient. Radiologic technicians place the equipment at an appropriate angle to get the diagnostic imaging done without any errors. During an x-ray, the radiographers responsibility is to place the films under the specific body parts for which the imaging is being done. After the imaging gets completed, radiographers take the films and develop it.

A radiologic technician's job responsibilities or routine work will include -

Conducting diagnostic imaging procedures
Explaining to the patient about the imaging procedure in brief
Administering non-radioactive materials into the patient's bloodstream
Maintenance of radiographic equipments
Keeping patients records
Conforming to the rules and regulations of radiation procedures
Management of radiology department
Purchase of radiographic equipment
Following the physician's instructions and orders
Etc

Experienced Radiographers or Radiologic technologists
The job responsibilities of experienced radiologic technicians are more. These professionals are responsible to perform more complex work for diagnostic imaging procedures. For example, if fluoroscopy needs to be done on a patient experienced radiographers will need to prepare contrast medium solutions. The imaging is done after the patients' drinks this solution. This allows the radiologist to be able to easily notice the body soft tissues. Depending on their experience and specialization, a radiographer can be called a CT technologists, MRI technologists etc.

 Educational Requirements
Candidates who aspire to become radiographers or radiologic technicians should obtain an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in radiography or a certification. These training radiography training programs may range from 1 to 4 years in course duration. Most of the degree programs require 3 years to complete. During the training, students are taught subjects including pathology, physiology, anatomy, patient care, science and instrumentation. Education background and interest in subjects like science and mathematics proves to be very helpful. Students also spend a considerable amount of their time working in the radiography departments.

Job Outlook & Salary
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for radiologic technologists is expected to grow faster than the average of other occupations, through to the year 2012. Radiographers earn an annual salary ranging between $32,370 and $55,430. Salaries vary depending on the work location (hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, physicians' offices etc) and the years of experience professionals carry.