Healthcare

We’re happy to spend November 8-14 celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week! R.T.s play an important role is diagnosing and treating many medical conditions. They are the medical specialists who perform diagnostic imaging exams and administer certain radiation treatments. As you might imagine, radiologic technologists receive a very thorough education that can include everything from anatomy and how patients must be positioned to ensure optimum results, to equipment protocols, radiation safety, and basic patient care. Formal preparation to become an R.T. generally takes two years, but it’s a profession in which the learning never ends.

Radiologic Technologist’s Equipment

Once ready to enter the R.T. field, the equipment you may find yourself operating is both extensive--and high-tech. Most everyone is familiar with basic x-ray machines, and R.T.s likely will be called on to operate them. But there also are special types of x-ray equipment used to diagnose breast tissue in mammograms. As a mammographer, you’d have to meet additional strict educational and experiential requirements in order to perform those procedures. Then there are Computed Tomography (CT scan) and Magnet Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, which are used to create cross-sectional, 3-D images of specific areas of a patient’s body. One machine utilizes enhanced x-ray technology, while the other uses radio frequencies to help diagnose patients--but both are highly sophisticated pieces of equipment. R.T.s also may be called upon to use DXA machines to perform bone density examinations, ultrasound equipment to obtain images of organs or body tissue, or biplane fluoroscopes, which help guide stents, catheters and other tools through a patient’s body in order to treat certain conditions without the need for surgical procedures.

How To Become A Radiologic Technologist

Radiologic technologists must complete a minimum two-year educational program and pass a national certification exam before they can practice their trade. Specialization in such areas as mammography, biplane fluoroscopy, or other R.T. specialties may require additional training. And, to remain registered, all R.T.s must earn continuing education credits. Any way you look at it, along with radiologists and physicians, radiologic technologists are important members of the medical diagnostic team. If you want to learn how to become a Radiologic Technologist, visit Fortis today!

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