1. Imaging Careers

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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)

17. Careers IN Medical Imaging

18. 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.

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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)

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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, $75, 000
- depends on specialty

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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, $40, 000
with experience (usually paid hourly)