Radiology is the specialty branch of medicine which with the help of study and application of radiology technique produces images for the diagnosing purposes and treating patients. Under the various domains for the career in radiology, Radiology Assistant (RA) work and perform duties under radiologist for the purpose of advance courses in image and radiology tasks. Precisely, he performs duties like radiology examinations, patient management and evaluation, and helps a radiologist in a number of task and duties. A Radiology assistant can also provide preliminary decisions about quality of image, preliminary judgments about image quality, initial observation of images, and then passing out those observations to senior radiologist.
The position of RA is a recent addition to a number of designations already existing in radiology stream. As to become a RA, it is imperative to complete an academic program and a radiologist supervised clinical internship. He should be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).
- Radiological Technologist: The next quality post in radiology career no doubt is Radiological technologist who explains CT exam and other related tasks to a patient. In performing his duties, he provides assistance to a radiologist as he operates radiographic equipment to produce images. His job generally involves explaining procedures to the patient and obtaining cooperation, lying down patient on examining table, adjusting instruments as to get maximum exposure to specific body parts. He is also an expert in preventing unnecessary exposure to radiology instruments using devices like lead shields that limits size of the x-ray beam. Expansion of his duties also involves operation of mobile x-ray equipment to get images in emergency room, operating room or at the patient’s bed side. He also helps radiologist in the application of technologies like plain radiology, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound (US). On the training part of the technologist, he needs to undergo two to four years of formal training, in an academic atmosphere. After completing the academic training he gets certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree. For advancements, he can enter into a course of specialization.
- Radiologic Nurse: Apart from the technical aspect of the radiology career there is need for physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient who is about to under go radiology test. This assistance in form of physical and mental support to a patient is provided by a Radiology nurse. A radiology nurse prepares plan and procedures for the patient that involves working with patient’s family. Under radiology a nurse can perform examinations to carry out preventive health measures within the prescribed guidelines and instructions of the radiologist.
To learn about the career option for these radiology courses and other avenues in Radiology one can seek more information from American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).
