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

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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