Medical Imaging Technicians Job Description

A Bachelor's Degree in Medical Image Analysis

Those who earn a medical degree will be able to work in a medical setting as a technician, technologist, assistant, or nurse. All have different educational requirements. Advanced studies and work under medical specialists are what assistants do.

Radiologic nurses are trained to treat patients who are undergoing medical procedures such as medical scans. Radiologists are licensed medical doctors who are experts interpreting digital imagery and like all medical doctors must go through four years of medical school, an internship and four years of residency in their medical field. Make sure your school is accredited and that you understand what you need to do to get into a good medical school after you earn your degree, no matter what area of medical imager you choose.

Medical workers hold professional certification more than any other area. The field of medical images was born with the discovery of the X-ray. The X-ray was the basis for many of the innovations in the field, such as mammography, tomography, angiography, and fluoroscopy.

MR and MRI were a major step in the field of medical image analysis due to its ability to monitor treatments in real time. Medical images will be able to show if a drug is working in a matter of hours, and disease will be detected earlier and before it progresses to the more serious condition of terminal illness, as technology rapidly advances. Bachelor's degree programs help you get a more rounded education in subjects such as math and English.

The Careers of Medical Imager

Medical images are created using a variety of techniques that create images of the human body. Medical technicians use different types of equipment to perform their duties. Nuclear medicine technologists, medical sonographers, and radiologic technologists are possible occupations for the image tech.

Radiologic technologists can do X-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance. The patient must be prepared by the technologist. Preparing the patient includes answering questions, explaining the procedure, taking a medical history, positioning the patient and covering exposed areas that will not be imaged.

technologists operate and maintain the equipment Most states require a license to work as a radiologic technician, which requires the candidate to complete an approved training program and pass a certification exam. Nuclear medicine uses radioactive drugs to detect anomalies in the body, which the technologist can see with specialized equipment.

The technologists explain the procedure and answer questions. The procedure requires the technologist to prepare and administer the radioactive drugs, operate the equipment and watch the patient for an abnormal reaction to the drugs. technologists maintain the equipment after the procedure.

Nuclear medicine technologists need an associate degree to be qualified. Nuclear medicine technologists had the highest median annual salaries of $70,180, followed by diagnostic medical sonographers with $65,860 and radiologic technologists with $54,620. The colleges, universities and professional schools industry were the highest-paying industries for medical imagers.

The Pays of Magnetic Resonance Technologists in the Baby-Boomer Era

Magnetic resonance technologists are involved in magnetic resonance scanning. They inject patients with contrast media to make sure that the images show up on the scanner. Magnetic fields and contrast agent are used to produce images that a physician can use to diagnose medical problems.

Magnetic resonance technologists had a median annual wage of $74,690 in May 2020. Half of the workers in an occupation earn more than the median wage, and half earn less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than 52,880 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,210.

The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $61,900 in May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,660. As the baby-boom population ages, there may be an increase in medical conditions, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease, which require diagnostic tools.

Medical Technicians in Hospital Environment

Medical technicians who work in hospitals may find work in clinics, diagnostic laboratories, physicians' offices and outpatient care centers. Some people may travel in medical-equipped vans to perform procedures on patients in their homes. Radiographers can learn about advanced-imaging procedures, like fluoroscopies, or perform specialty-imaging procedures, like mammograms.

Sonographers can specialize in a number of areas, including breast sonography. Medical technicians who are trained in and knowledgeable of various specialized areas have better employment opportunities. The requirements for admission to the programs are for those who are interested in pursuing careers as medical technologists.

They must have high school diplomas or GEDs and have good reading and writing skills. Some programs may require 75% or higher grade in high school science courses, so applicants should have a strong aptitude for science. Radiography and sonography programs teach you about radiation biology and radiation protection.

The programs cover topics such as patient care, equipment operation, medical care ethics and medical terminology. Students in bachelor's degree programs may have to meet residency requirements. If you're interested in working in a medical setting but would like a career that involves less hands-on work with patients, there are other career options you may consider.

Medical Imager Jobs in the Baby Boomer Era

The demand for healthcare workers is increasing. The baby boomer population has resulted in opportunity, both in the increased need for diagnostic procedures and the need for providers to fill positions that are vacant by retirement. The increase in medical imager careers is creating employment opportunities for people who have already obtained a degree in the field.

The nuclear medicine tech works closely with a physician to administer radiopharmaceuticals. The physician uses radiation-detecting equipment to perform and analyze the procedures. A strong foundation in math is important, as is good communication skills.

Most technicians work in a hospital setting where they work 12 hour shifts. Most medical imagers can lift up to 80 pounds, but the sputum tech has to be able to exert physical activity. There are different career paths for sonographers.

Magnetic resonance imagers and radio waves are used to create images of the inside of a patient's body. The large tubes that patients are placed in for an MRI are loud and can make them anxious. The technologist is often required to listen to the patient and assure them.