 An individual who performs radiography, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine technology

 Take X-rays and administer contrast media into patients’ bloodstreams for diagnostic purposes  Referred to as radiographers, produce X-ray images (radiographs) of parts of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems  Prepare patients for radiologic examinations by explaining the procedure, removing jewelry and other articles through which X-rays cannot pass, and positioning patients so that the parts of the body can be appropriately aligned © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers

 Radiographers must follow physicians’ orders precisely and conform to regulations concerning the use of radiation  Some radiographers specialize in computed tomography (CT), and are sometimes referred to as CT technologists  Radiographers also can specialize in magnetic resonance imaging as an MR technologist  Mammographers use low dose X-ray systems to produce images of the breast © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers

 Treat cancer in the human body  As part of a medical radiation oncology team, radiation therapists use machines—called linear accelerators—to administer radiation treatment to patients  Keep detailed records of their patients’ treatments  Assist medical radiation physicists, specialists who monitor and adjust the linear accelerator  May assist with the process used to calculate radiation dosages © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers

 Use radioactive materials for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes  Radiopharmaceuticals are administered intravenously, orally, or by inhalation  Radiopharmaceuticals are chemicals tagged with a radioactive material that will be emitted from the patient and imaged through radiation detecting instrumentation  Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Studies demonstrate physiologic functions of the body  Common exams include the Bone Scan and Stress Test

 Angiography  Bone Densitometry  Mammography  Computed Tomography (CT)  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)  Sonography/Ultrasound

 Cardiovascular Interventional Technology  Radiographic examination of the blood vessels after injection of a contrast medium

 Used to diagnose osteoporosis  Uses dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry  DEXA  Measurement of bone density of the lower spine or hips

 Radiographic examination of the breast and its surrounding tissues

 Creates images that represents sections or “slices” of the anatomy  Include CT MRI Ultrasound/Sonography

 X-ray detectors are arranged in a circular pattern to gather “information”  Information is sent to computer  Body is “sliced” and each slice can be viewed individually

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging  Uses a strong magnetic field and radiowaves to create image

 Use special equipment to direct non-ionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body  Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician  Specialize in obstetric and gynecologic sonography, abdominal sonography, neurosonography, breast sonography, vascular sonography or cardiac sonography © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers

 Administration Lead Technologist, Department Manager  Education Program Director, Clinical Instructor, etc.  Commercial Firms Sales, Applications, Technical Support

 Associate’s Degree in Radiologic Technology (Radiography) at RWC  Associate’s Degree in Radiation Therapy at RWC  Bachelor’s Degree in Advanced Medical Imaging Technology at CAHS Nuclear Medicine Sonography MRI  Bachelor’s Degree in Radiation Science Technology at RWC A completion program designed for Radiography and Radiation Therapy graduates Professional Practice Sectional Imaging Medical Dosimetry for Radiation Therapists

 Radiation - Energy that is transmitted by waves through space or through a medium  X-Rays are a form of electromagnetic energy

 X-rays are a man- made form of electromagnetic energy  X-rays are produced when electrons moving at a high speed are suddenly stopped.

 X-Rays have the ability to ionize matter Neutral atom gains an electron Neutral atom loses an electron A net charge is created The atom becomes an ion The process is ionization

 The making of records of internal structures of the body known as Radiographs  Used to examine many different systems within the human body

 X-rays are created in an x-ray tube  The x-rays interact with the patient at the atomic level Some are absorbed and do not pass through the patient Some are scattered and go in a different direction that their original path Some pass through the patient  X-rays that exit the patient strike an image receptor where the image is recorded

 A device that will retain the signal from the radiation exiting the patient and form an image or picture of the anatomy Film Digital