Imaging Careers

Learning Objectives Define terminology relating to careers in medical imaging Specify the role of diagnostic medical health care workers including personal characteristics, levels of education, and credentialing requirements Discuss important developments in the field of diagnostic imaging Identify an imaging technique that does not use radiation

Medical Imaging Medical imaging refers to several different technologies that are used to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions. Each type of technology gives different information about the area of the body being studied or treated, related to possible disease, injury, or the effectiveness of medical treatment

Medical Imaging Career opportunities in this area include radiography and related occupations The radiology department in most health care facilities also provides techniques in addition to radiography

Radiography Medical radiography is a broad term that covers several types of studies that require the visualization of the internal parts of the body using x-ray techniques It is a technique for obtaining and recording an Xray It is used to diagnose or treat patients by recording images of the internal structure of the body to assess the presence or absence of disease, foreign objects, and structural damage or anomaly.

Radiography During a radiographic procedure, an x-ray beam is passed through the body. A portion of the x-rays are absorbed or scattered by the internal structure and the remaining x-ray pattern is transmitted to a detector so that an image may be recorded for later evaluation. The recording of the pattern may occur on film or through electronic means.

Radiography Radiography is used in many types of exams and procedures where a record of a static image is desired. Examples include: -Dental examination -Verification of correct placement of surgical markers prior to invasive procedures - Mammography - Orthopedic evaluations - Spot film or static recording during fluoroscopy - Chiropractic examinations

Radiography Risks / Benefits: The radiation dose the patient receives varies depending on the individual procedure The major risks associated with radiography are the small possibilities of: - developing a radiation-induced cancer or cataracts later in life - causing a disturbance in the growth or development of an embryo or fetus when performed on a pregnant patient or one of childbearing age. The benefit of radiography far exceeds the small cancer risk associated with the procedure. The procedure should use the lowest possible exposure, minimum number of images, and proper shielding.

Other types of Medical ImaginG Fluoroscopy - type of radiography that shows real time moving images Computerized Tomography - Also called a CT scan (or CAT scan) - Provides a cross sectional view of the whole body instead of just one region

Mammography - Radiograph of the breast to determine breast CA - Possible to detect tumors that can’t be felt - FDA must accredit all mammography facilities - Digital mammography was approved in 2000 and records images via computer - allows exam of all areas of a breast with varying tissue densities

Positron Emission Tomography - Also called PET scan - Uses computers and radiologic technique to visualize the metabolic activities of the body as well as structure - Gamma rays are produced in the body when radioactive biochemical such as glucose or nitrogen is inhaled or ingested - Computer then produces colored images - Biochemical activity of the brain / blood flow in heart & vessels are studied using this technique

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - also called MRI - produces superb image resolution & tissue contrast - Particularly useful in diagnosing problems of the brain & spine - forms pics by measuring the magnetic field produced by ions in body cells - No exposure to radiation

Near Infrared Spectroscopy - also called NIRS - technique that allows noninvasive measuring of cerebral functions - Because near infrared light passes through the human body easily, the light that penetrates the skull and brain can be detected by the spectrograph - Blood flow change in the cerebral cortex and the change in the amount of oxygen saturation that accompany neural activity can be measured

Interventional Radiology - Small tubes or catheters are inserted into the blood vessels to correct abnormalities - An example is the balloon angioplasty used to enlarge a vascular constriction by inflating a balloon in a narrowed portion of a vessel

Ultrasound Imaging / Sonography - Uses high-frequency sound waves to view soft tissues - Because ultrasound images are captured in real- time, it can show movement of internal organs as well as blood flowing through vessels - Ultrasound imaging is used in many types of exams and procedures.

Ultrasound Imaging / Sonography Some examples include: - Doppler ultrasound (to visualize blood flow through a blood vessel) - Bone sonography (to diagnose osteoporosis) - Echocardiogram (to view the heart) - Fetal ultrasound (to view the fetus in pregnancy) - Ultrasound-guided biopsies - Doppler fetal heart rate monitors (to listen to fetal heart beat)

Careers IN Medical Imaging

Radiologist Medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x- rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound.

RadiologiST Education: Medical school, followed by residency of at least four years Must pass a licensing exam Optional fellowship — one to two additional years of specialized training in a subspecialty such as: Breast imaging Cardiovascular radiology Nuclear medicine Interventional radiology

Radiologist Radiologists are usually board certified by the American Board of Radiology Average US Salary: $350, 000 - $400, 000

Radiologic Technologist Operators of radiographic machinery Work under the direction of the Radiologist May specialize in one area Duties: Transferring & positioning the patient, Select proper technical factors to ensure quality of image, Use safety equipment & administration of opaque dye Work: Hospitals, private facilities, & physician’s offices

Radiologic Technologist Job involves some hazard of radiation exposure & must wear a film badge to record the level of exposure to radiological materials Education: 2 yr associates degree (most common) or 4 yr bachelor’s degree Licensure: 37 states require licensure through ARRT - The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (Florida is one)

Radiologic Technologists Salary: Average salary $58,000 -increases if working in a specialized area

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Highly specialized health care professional who prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals to patients, then monitors the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs in which they localize Provide basic & emergency care May also participate in research activities

NUCLEAR Medicine Technologist Education: Nuclear medicine technology programs range in length from 1 to 4 yrs - Certificate programs are offered in hospitals - Associate degree in community colleges - Bachelor's degree in 4yr colleges and universities Average Salary: $65, 000

Ultrasound Technologist / Sonographer Technologist producing images through the use of Ultrasound/Sonography Duties: Position the patient, explain the procedure, adjust the equipment to produce the images, and labels the images for identification Education: 2 yr Associate degree from a community college 4 yr Bachelors degree from a university Salary: $53, 000 - $75, 000 - depends on specialty

Mammography Technologist Radiologic Technologist obtains certification of perform mammography Work: Hospitals, clinics, labs, & outpatient centers Education / Certification: - To be eligible for ARRT Mammography certification, candidates must already hold ARRT registration in Radiography, meet ethics requirements, document clinical experience, and pass the ARRT certification examination in mammography Salary: $64, 000

Radiologic Physicist Assist a physician with the care of patients, equipment selection, quality control, teaching, & radiation safety May be responsible for establishing & supervising radiation safety programs including monitoring personnel, handling radioactive materials, & advising radiation safety committees

Radiologic Physicist Education: - Masters (M.S.) or Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in medical physics - 2-3 yr Post graduate program or clinical medical physics residency program Certification: Must pass certification exam (American Board of Radiology) Salary: $163, 000

Electrocardiograph Technician Also called an EKG tech NOT imaging personnel but may work in radiology departments Record electrical activity of the heart

Electrocardiograph Technician Duties: Attach electrode leads or pads on the patient to monitor or test the action of the heart to be studied by the cardiologist Education: On the job training, or community colleges & technical schools offer training & certification in EKG Salary: $25, 000 to $30, 000

Electroencephalographic Technologist Also called EEG tech Measure electrical activity of the brain to aid in diagnosis of disorders Not imaging personnel but may be included in radiology dept

Electroencephalographic Technologist Duties: Place electrodes on the patient, adjust the machine, & monitor the patient during testing Education: On the job training programs, Certificate or Associate degree in EEG technology from a technical or community college Salary: $35, 000 - $40, 000 with experience (usually paid hourly)