Intro to

Radiologic Technology

(RADT A)

RTEC A INSTRUCTOR

• MINA COLUNGA, B.S.,RT., C.R.T.

Instructor, minacolunga@yahoo.com or mcolunga@elcamino.edu

WEB page: www.elcamino.edu/faculty/mcolunga

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WHY CHOOSE RADIOGRAPHY?

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Is this a safe profession?

Why do you want to do this?

Why are you taking this class?

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Preconceived Ideas regarding the X-ray field

What is x-rays?X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with extremely short wavelengths. They can pass through many materials.

What is radiation?

Radiation – transfer of energy through space or a material away from the source

• Radiology- Medical specialty in which x-rays, radium, and radioactive substances are applied in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient

• Diagnostic Imaging- Medical specialty in which x-rays, radium, radioactive substances, sound waves, and radio frequencies are applied in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient

• Radiologist- Physician who applies any form of radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

• Radiographer- Skilled person qualified by education to provide patient services using imaging modalities as directed by a physician qualified to order and/or perform radiographic procedures.(X-ray Technologist)

• Radiograph- a photographic record produced by x-rays through an object.

Types of Radiation

Non-ionized Ionized ex: radio ex: x-rays,

gamma

Electromagnetic Spectrum

History of Radiology

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Historical Perspectives– November 8,

1895:• Wilhelm Conrad

Röntgen discovered x-rays

– German Physicist

– University of Wurtzburg

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• Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895 - discovered x-rays

• Working with Crooke’s vacuum tube

– He found invisible rays were produced. – These new rays could go through skin and flesh – Give a picture of a person's bones.

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X-rays – the Basic Radiological Tool

Röntgen’s experimental apparatus -Crookes tube

Taken 22 Dec. 1895

First Radiograph

• Anna Bertha Röntgen

• 30 minute exposure.

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Collaborative Events

• Crookes tube– Air evacuated glass tube– Cathode side– Anode side– Electrical supply

• Screen or board painted with barium platinocyanide

• Low light work area

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“Willie Röntgen”

• Honored in 1901 with the first Nobel prize in physics for his efforts.

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In the beginning…..

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Early years in Radiologic Technology

• Nurses or nurses aides taught how to “take an x-ray”

• NO special education

• Only “ON THE JOB” training

• Experience the best teacher

• The first Technologist is credited to be EDWARD C. JERMAN.

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An early therapy session

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In 30 years

• Developed from a technical trade to one of a professionalism

• Once thought that anyone could be trained to quickly = “push the buttons’

• To now where it is considered a profession that requires analytical thinking and problem solving

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• X rays began to be used in industry and medicine

• Years later, they noticed it can be harmful

• They could be harmful to:– living tissue– even cause cancer if the exposures were

too great or too prolonged

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Early signs of possible damage from Radiation exposure

• Skin dryness

• Erythema

• Ulcers formed31

Acute: Ulceration

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Radiologic Technologists

Practices RADIATION SAFETY

TO SELF AND

OTHERS34

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HISTORY REVIEW

Who is this?

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HISTORY REVIEW

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen

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HISTORY REVIEW

What did he discover?

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HISTORY REVIEW

He discovered x-rays

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HISTORY REVIEW

What were the series of events that led to the

discovery?

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HISTORY REVIEW

1) Crookes tube– With electrical supply

2) Screen coated with barium platinocyanide

3) Low light area

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Accreditation, Certification, Registration, Licensing???

What is all that?

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Accrediting Agencies for Schools (JRC’s)

• Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS)

• Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT)

• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

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Individual Certification

• Take an exam

• Pay a fee

• You then get registered

• Nearly all hospitals require appropriate certifciation as a condition of employment.

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National: Registry Agencies

• American Registty of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)

• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

• Nuclear Medicine Certification Board

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State Licensing Agencies

• Vary from state to state• List of individual state requirement can be

obtained at www.arrt.org

• Must provide proof of certification• Fill out paperwork• Pay a fee• Sometimes take an exam

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Certification vs. License• ARRT

– National certification• R.T.

– Must take an exam• Pass with 75%

– Can take this after completing program

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• CRT– State Licensing– Must pass ARRT or other

equivalent national exam to get this

– Pay fee to get radiography license (R)

– Take fluoroscopy exam and pay a fee for (F) license

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

It covers all of our individual disciplines.

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RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

• Radiography• Mammography• Computed Tomography• Magnetic Resonance

Imaging• Quality Management• Sonography• Radiation Therapy

• Bone Densitometry• Vascular Sonography• Breast Sonography• Cardiac Interventional

Radiography• Vascular Interventional

radiography• Radiologist Assistant• Nuclear Medicine

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5 Primary Certifications• Radiography (R)

• Nuclear Medicine Technology (NM)

• Radiation Therapy (T)

• Sonography (US) (RDMS)

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)53

Post Primary Certifications

• Mammography (M)

• Computed Tomography(CT)

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) or (MRI)– Note: Both a primary and post-

primary track

• Quality Management (QM)

• Cardiac-Interventional Radiography (CI)

• Vascular-Interventional Radiography (VI)

• Sonography (US) or (RDMS)– Note: Both a primary and post-

primary track

• Vascular Sonography (VS)

• Breast Sonography (BS) • Bone Densitometry (BD)

• Registered Radiologist Assistant (RA)

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MRI and Sonography are PRIMARY and POST PRIMARY

1)Can get formal education

1)On the job training 1) if you have a primary certification in radiography,

nuclear medicine or radiation therapy 2) meet clinical requirements.

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Individual Disciplines of Radiology

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Radiography : Primary Certification

Mina Colunga R.T. (R)

Mina Colunga Registered Technologist in the specialty of

Radiography

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RADIOGRAPHY

• Diagnostic Radiology– Technologist– Radiographer– Technician (Limited Licensure)

– Specializing in the use of x-rays to create images of the body including the skeletal system,chest and abdomen

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Two Types of x-ray examinations

Radiography Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscope

• 1898 by Thomas Edison

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Types of Diagnostic Exams

• Chest• Extremities• Skull/ Facial• Spine• Gastrointestinal• Interventional

All types of EXAMS & PEOPLE

• Infants• Elderly• All classes• All ethnicity• All backgrounds

• Head to toes• Trauma• Special procedures• Critical patients• Walk ins• Surgery

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Uses Ionizing Radiation tocreate images of the human body

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Flouroscopy- xrays in motion

Fluoroscopy

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Beyond Diagnostic Radiography

1. Ultrasound (sonography)2. Angiography3. Computerized tomography (CT)4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)5. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)6. Nuclear Medicine7. Mammography8. Radiation Therapy

Beyond Diagnostic Radiography

1. Ultrasound (sonography)2. Angiography3. Computerized tomography (CT)4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)5. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)6. Nuclear Medicine7. Mammography8. Radiation Therapy

SALARY RANGES RT’s

• New R.T. (R) = $ 23 -$40 per hour– ON-CALL + O.T. $48,000 – $83,000 YR

• Advance disciplines• R.T. (CT), (T), (NM), (S), (M), etc

– $ 30 - $50 PER HOUR

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Bone Densitometry (BD) – Post primary certification

1) Must have primary certification in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy

2) Meet clinical requirements

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Bone Densitometry- measures mineral content and density of

bones

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Low Doses of Radiation

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Career in Radiography Ultrasound (sonography)--uses high frequency sound waves

81Determines depth

Ultrasound beam is transmitted and reflected – as special crystal at the end of the transducer candetermine the type of tissue

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Uses SOUND WAVES (NOT X-RAYS)

“real time” images

ULTRASOUND

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uses a technique similar to Navy SONAR to produce diagnostic images.

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U/S & the “real thing”

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Vascular Sonography

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Angiography

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ANGIOGRAPHY is a specialized radiographic examination where the images of the blood vessels of

the body are demonstrated by injection of contrast

media

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SUB SPECIALITY IN ANGIOGRAPHY

• Cardiovascular Interventional Technology• Vascular Interventional Technology

Must have certification in diagnostic radiography in order to be trained and certified in these special procedures.

Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI)- Primary certification

Mike Smith, RT (R) (CI)

1) Must have primary certification in radiography

2) Meet clinical requirements

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Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI)- Post primary certification

JOE CAR, RT (R) (VI)

1)Must have primary certification in radiography

2)Meet clinical requirements

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A medical imaging technique using x-ray and contrast agent to visualize the inside of blood vessels and organs of the body.

Angiogram

Also known as CT, Cat Scans

Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography

Uses ionized radiation to obtain cross sectional images

Designated by CTJennifer Smith, R.T. (R) (CT)

1)Must have primary certification in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy

2)Meet clinical requirements

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Computed Tomography

• Able to do 3D reconstruction

MRI• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

• Uses– Magnet field– radio waves

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• MRI– Uses magnetic and radio waves to create images– Can be whole body or cross sectional – Designated by MRI

• Jeremy Assef, R.T., CRT, (MRI)

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Which one is MRI? CT?

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Look for the signs….

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What are the differences between MRI and CT?

CT

• Uses ionizing radiation

• Can be used on any patient

• Fast

MRI

• Uses magnets and radiowaves

• Cannot be used on patients who have metal in their body

• Slow

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Which is better?

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What are the similarities between CT and MRI?

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Nuclear Medicine

• Nuclear Medicine– Uses radioactive isotopes to produce images– Radiation comes from within the patient

• Primary or Post primary certification

PET scan

Mammography

• Mammography– Breast imaging using ionized radiation

Radiation Therapy

• Medical dosimetrists are involved in treatment planning and dose calculations

• 1-4 year program

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Radiation therapy

• Radiation Therapy– Involved the treatment of diseases – Use high level of ionized radiation (megavolt) to

kill cancerous cells

• Primary certification

Additional Opportunities

• Education• Administration• Management (QM)• Commercial• Radiologist Assistant

= RA• Sales• Application specialist

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Radiologist Assistant (RA)

• Still not widely accepted

• Must have a primary certification in radiography

• Must meet clinical requirements

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TRAVELING TECHNOLOGIST = SEE THE WORLD AND GET $$$

Other working opportunities…

• Registry (local)

• Registry (out of state)

• X rays taken around the world !!

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Variety of Work Settings• physicians offices, • clinical outpatient facilities,

• free standing imaging centers,

• mobile imaging centers

• portable services to rehabs

• Mammo’s to under privileged areas

• Urgent care

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RA

• Radiology Assistant (Like PA)

• LLU • PART OF RADIOLOGIST

GROUP• Still not widely

accepted

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Questions ?

• Diagnostic Imaging Modalities

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