the exciting field of medical imaging… could this be a career for you?

1© 2005 Boston Private Industry CouncilJanuary 2005

The exciting field of Medical Imaging…Could this be a career for you?

© 2005 Boston Private Industry CouncilJanuary 2005 2

Medical Imaging Technologists utilize science and technology to produce images of various parts of the body to diagnose and sometimes treat diseases and injuries in humans and animals. With specialized education and clinical training you could learn to perform this work in a variety of settings.


What makes Medical Imaging a field that you may want to explore?

• Steady increase of jobs available• Good pay and benefits• Requires a two year degree• Opportunity for career advancement• Combines the need for people skills and technology

skills• Provides a wide variety of work environments and

schedules


Job market

• Currently, there are over 30,000 vacancies nationwide.

• The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that over 75,000 Radiologic Technologists and 30,000 Specialized Imaging Technologists will be needed by 2010!

• The American Hospital Association reports that Radiologic Technologists have the highest average vacancy rate of any hospital profession.


Salary

• The average starting salary for a new Radiologic Technologist graduate is $42,000 - $45,000 per year in the Boston area.

• The average salary for a Radiologic Technologist is $55,000; modality specialists may make 5%-20% more.

• Many opportunities exist for a salary increase: overtime, extra pay for shift work and/or seniority, cross-training, and promotions.


Education

• Requires a 2 or 4 year degree or certificate options• High School diploma or GED required for entry• Good health and current immunizations• High school lab science and math is required or

classes taken as a prerequisite


Education

• Some people enter Radiologic Technologist programs right out of high school.

• Many people begin a Radiologic Technologist program when they are in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. These “career changers” are sometimes anxious about taking math and science after being out of school for so long. However, they quickly learn that it is a step-by-step process. They take the basic courses and build upon them.


The curriculum for a Radiologic Technologist program requires that a student have a strong foundation in math and laboratory science. Typical classes once enrolled include:

– Medical Terminology– Patient Care– Anatomy &

Physiology– Physics

– Positioning– Radiation

Protection & Biology

– Imaging – Pathology


Career advancement opportunities for Radiologic Technologists

• Specialize in a modality which brings a higher level of expertise and increased salary (mammography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, etc.)

• Pursue a management/supervisory track• Teach or enter the education field• Become a sales person for radiology-related

equipment or supplies• Enter the specialized field of radiology-related

computer technology


Traits of successful Radiologic Technologists

• People skills• Empathy• Technical aptitude• Flexibility/adaptability• Desire to help others• Ability to work in stressful situations• Commitment to learning


Career settings for Radiologic Technologists

• Large Hospital Setting• Community Hospital Setting• Free-standing

Imaging Center• Mobile Companies• Physician’s Office


Working conditions for Radiologic Technologists

• Direct patient contact• Varied work environment – emergency

room/Inpatient/Outpatient/Clinic• On feet much of the time• May require evenings/weekends/on call• Lifting/assisting patients• Varied pace and demands


A changing profession

• Technological advances such as digital imaging are changing the face of radiology.

• Computers are replacing darkrooms.


• New applications continue to be developed in all modalities.

• Technological advances create new career opportunities.

A changing profession


A sample of modalities within the field

• Diagnostic Radiography ionizing radiation or x-rays to produce images of various parts of the body.

• Computed Tomography (CT) provides cross-sectional or “3D” images of the anatomy.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses radio frequency waves and magnetic forces to provide images of internal organs and tissues.

• Sonography uses high frequency sound waves to create images of tissues, organs, and vessels.


• Uses ionizing radiation to study anatomy and physical structures in human or veterinary medicine.

• This is often the first step in a medical imaging career.

• Other modalities build on the foundation of diagnostic radiography.

Diagnostic Radiography (“X-Ray”)


• The first image is a normal chest x-ray.• The second image shows a chest x-ray of a

person who swallowed a whistle.

Diagnostic Radiography

Look at the next two images and notice what is different.


• A Radiologic Technologist must master the subjects of anatomy and physiology. They are the foundations for diagnostic radiography.



• The following image shows an x-ray of a hand with a middle broken finger. A Radiologic Technologist must know every bone in the body! Can you identify the broken bone?



• CT uses a rotating x-ray machine to obtain cross-sectional images or “slices” of the anatomy to observe a wide range of angles within the body.

• CT can be used to image brain, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities.

• CT provides “3D” imaging to diagnose fractures, strokes, cancer and other abnormalities.

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)


• The next slide shows a CT of the abdomen. A CT “slice” is a cross sectional image that provides a great deal of information. Many slices are reviewed to make a diagnosis.

CT scan


• Uses the magnetic properties of hydrogen to produce an image.

• Uses a very powerful, super-conducting magnet.• All planes in a body can be viewed.• MRI is an effective diagnostic tool that

demonstrates tissue, muscle, cartilage, and fat using no ionizing radiation.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)


• The next slide is an image of a human brain taken with magnetic resonance imaging.

• You can actually see the sections of the brain in the image.

MRI


• Uses sound waves to study, treat and to reach a body area.

• High frequency sound waves are transmitted to the areas of interest and the returning echo is recorded.

• It is non-invasive and involves no radiation.• Ultrasound is used in the diagnosis and

treatment of organ malfunctions.• Sonographers work in hospital rooms,

emergency rooms, operating rooms and clinics assisting with many complicated diagnostic procedures.

Ultrasound, or Sonography


• Diagnoses an assessment of early pregnancies.• Determines gestational age and fetal size.• Determines multiple pregnancies.• Determines sex.• Observes a fetal image as observed in the next

slide.

Obstetrical Ultrasound


Ask yourself again…could a career in Medical Imaging be for you?

• The field of radiology is changing and expanding rapidly.

• There are many opportunities for a career in this exciting and growing career.

• For more information on careers in medical imaging, click on: www.radiologycareersma.org

http://www.radiologycareersma.org/


Acknowledgements

• Partners HealthCare System• The Department of Labor• The Boston Private Industry Council

the exciting field of medical imaging… could this be a career for you?

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