How to become A Radiologist Technician

Since X-rays, the first radiation known to man, were discovered accidentally, radiology has evolved into a critical component of the healthcare system. A system of non-invasive diagnostic imaging tools, radiology has helped physicians treat millions of patients to date. Radiologist Technicians or RTs are essential members of healthcare teams worldwide, collaborating with doctors and nurses to perform various imaging procedures.Since X-rays, the first radiation known to man, were discovered accidentally, radiology has evolved into a critical component of the healthcare system. A system of non-invasive diagnostic imaging tools, radiology has helped physicians treat millions of patients to date. Radiologist Technicians or RTs are essential members of healthcare teams worldwide, collaborating with doctors and nurses to perform various imaging procedures.

• Radiographer
• Radiologic Technologist (RT)
• Registered Radiographer
• Diagnostic Radiographer
• Radiologic Technician

What do Radiologist Technicians do?

A Radiologist Technician would typically need to:

• Work across several departments in a clinical setting, capturing images that help physicians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries
• Set up radiologic equipment, including MRI, ultrasound, X-ray and CAT scan machines, and materials; maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
• Operate diagnostic imaging machines to obtain high-quality images and data which will then be analysed by certified radiologists
• Follow the physician’s orders for capturing required images and data; evaluate images for clarity and accuracy
• Answer simple questions asked by patients about the procedure
• See to it that patients take appropriate measures before radiological procedures, such as taking off jewellery prior to CAT scans
• Warn patients about potential risks to their health; provide a lead sheet whenever necessary; position patients for diagnostic imaging 
• Maintain clear records for ease of diagnosis and documentation

Most Radiologist Technicians work in hospitals, but some work in medical laboratories and clinics or assist physicians and dentists. There are others who help staff in mobile X-ray units or work in private industries. Typically, they work in designated radiology departments and rooms that are clean and pleasant.

Given the need to operate equipment accurately, Radiologist Technicians must possess manual dexterity and mechanical ability. Since they interact with several people throughout the day, Radiologist Technicians need to be patient, sympathetic and soft-spoken. They should stay healthy and always ensure that they do not expose themselves and others to harmful radiation.

Working as a Radiologist Technician usually demands a typical work schedule, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. You would typically work forty hours a week and may be required to work night and weekend shifts. Job sharing and part-time jobs are available.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Radiologist Technicians can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Radiologist Technicians are generally employed by: 

• Public & Private Hospitals
• Clinics
• Physicians’ Offices
• Nursing Homes
• Outpatient Care Facilities
• Specialised Radiological Services

Healthcare associations, such as the International Society of Radiographers & Radiological Technologists (ISRRT), provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers. Affiliated Radiologist Technicians may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them keep up with the newest breakthroughs and latest developments in the field, including plum jobs.

• The need to stay current with the increase in the number of technological interventions and evolving imaging techniques
• The danger of being exposed to harmful radiation
• Physical strain from heavy lifting and repetitive motions, which can cause injuries
• Long and strenuous work schedules; excessive workload due to the backlog of appointments created by lockdowns during the pandemic
• Emotional stress when dealing with worried patients and their families; the need to be empathetic yet firm
• Maintaining reliability, accuracy, safety, and speed despite burnout and meeting the high expectations of physicians
• Communication blocks that can cause delays and stress
• The need to meticulously sanitise equipment between patients while staying safe

To show commitment to the long qualifying period, every applicant to a medical program needs work experience in a medical institution. It helps them understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in medicine.

Some teaching hospitals also offer work experience in their imaging and radiology departments, specifically for secondary school students interested in a medical degree and a career as Radiologist Technicians. It can be a helpful way to gain insight.

Read articles on the subject by renowned doctors. While in high school, undertake voluntary internships in areas relevant to medicine at clinics and nursing homes. You may also shadow a senior and qualified diagnostic radiographer. Work experience dealing with the public in a health-related role is highly recommended. 

Aspiring Radiologist Technicians may complete a two- to four-year program and acquire a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in radiography. You may find these programs at hospitals, universities, medical schools, the armed forces, community colleges, and vocational or technical schools. You may also major in any applied science.

Associate and bachelor’s degree programs are often competitive and demand above-average scores.

You may choose to top up your qualifications with a master’s degree to acquire  further knowledge and skills, gain a competitive edge in the job market, and enhance your chances of career progression.

Certification demonstrates a Radiographer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement.

Successful certification programs in radiation therapy technology or nuclear medicine technology protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Radiologist Technicians need an accredited license to practice. Individual government entities conduct licensing. It generally requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training or the completion of an internship, residency or apprenticeship. Contact your designated medical board for exact licensing requirements. 

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high performance levels may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Managerial skills can help Radiologist Technicians become Supervisors of other workers in large work settings, such as hospitals and clinical laboratories.

With a bachelor’s degree in hand, Radiologist Technicians may become Instructors or Administrators and, with higher qualifications, even enter research, teaching or quality assurance. They could also specialise in specific areas by working with particular equipment, techniques or patient groups.

You may also advance by working directly with X-ray equipment manufacturers, helping sell and service the various models. 

Technicians with the required academic qualifications and experience, patient management skills, effective communication with their colleagues in the hospital setting, and excellence in operating radiologic equipment have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in the healthcare sector for public wellbeing and career progression. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT.

Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, and professional publications serve to educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Radiologist Technicians. In addition to receiving on-the-job training, you must keep yourself current with the latest techniques, equipment and professional practices in the field through webinars, seminars, conferences, training sessions, short courses, reading and membership of professional bodies.

Exposure to a wide variety of work at the start of your career could improve your professional skills and give you a better understanding of how you wish to develop as a Radiologist Technician. It could mean moving to new clinical departments, taking on different roles, and doing locum radiography jobs. This way, you would obtain a general understanding of the job and interact with a range of colleagues and patients who require specialist care.

Typically, you may specialise after acquiring a few years of experience and considerable know-how in the field. Clinical areas which currently need more specialists are radiotherapy and ultrasound. 

Radiologist Technicians may choose to combine research with clinical work, specialising in areas such as quality assurance, general radiography and medical ultrasound. Their work may contribute to developments in the field.

After acquiring a degree, therapeutic Radiologic Technicians have diverse options for specialisation. They may learn more about treatment review, planning, delivery management, palliative care, patient support and many other areas.

Several radiography education providers run long courses, which may lead to master’s degree qualifications. After exploring various options and areas of expertise, you can identify the gaps in your current knowledge. Then you can decide whether to take on the required specialist training or locum work to bolster your CV and upgrade your skill sets

A radiologist technician is a medical professional who maintains and operates diagnostic imaging equipment but does not analyse and diagnose the data acquired.

Specialisations

Radiologist Technicians may specialise in mammography, MRI technology, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, sonography, bone densitometry or fluoroscopy.

Mammography specialists help in the early diagnosis of breast diseases with radiation imagery. Low-dose X-rays are used in this type of imaging to detect cancer cells even before noticeable symptoms appear, thus making the prognosis easier.

By creating diagnostic images using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, MRI technicians help healthcare professionals diagnose neuro and musculoskeletal problems, sports injuries, and spinal conditions.

CT technicians create three-dimensional images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels by administering patients with a chemical that highlights the system that requires imaging.

Nuclear medicine specialists work with positron emission tomography (PET) scans. They give the patient radioactive drugs which emit gamma rays that provide a reasonably better view of where the blood is flowing, making problem areas like tumours easily identifiable. Brain and heart complications are usually diagnosed with these scans. Nuclear medicine may draw the interest of math geeks in the profession as mathematical formulations play a significant role in this speciality.

Sonography technicians help physicians diagnose several medical conditions with the help of ultrasound machines that put high-frequency sound waves into use. Sonographers are most commonly associated with OBGYNs, but they work in various fields within the healthcare system.

Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, bone densitometry specialists help detect bone loss resulting in osteoporosis. People will probably depend on bone densitometry in the future just as they do now because osteoporosis is a common issue among women aged around 65.

Fluoroscopic imaging captures live images of fluid movement like blood flow in the body. This unique feature is used in many treatment procedures, such as placing heart stents.

DIFFERENT MODELS OF MEDICAL PRACTICE

A Radiologist Technician can opt for a specific practice model from among the prevalent ones.

Group Practice

The group practice may comprise single-speciality or multi-speciality providers. Physicians in this model enjoy financial security and have administrative staff so that the physician can focus more time and energy on patient care. However, autonomy and decision-making ability decrease, increasing the risk of conflict around significant practice issues. Larger practices also tend to become more bureaucratic and policy-driven.

Employed Physician Practice

The physician can focus on practising medicine because the employer takes over the financial and administrative responsibilities of running the practice. However, those who develop the policies and procedures will control your work schedule and activities.

Other Types of Medical Practice

Some physicians work as independent contractors in a solo or group practice; they may share financial responsibility and flexibility in clinical practice but may not be free to make all decisions.

Locum tenens is an alternative to more permanent employment. Locum tenens positions are offered by hospitals or healthcare organisations with an unfulfilled clinical need. The compensation rate is generally higher than what the permanent position would suggest. Locum tenens allows physicians to gauge a specific type of practice or location without committing to long-term employment.

Gamma rays are the most harmful radiations yet essential to detect brain and heart complications.

Being a Radiologist Technician means performing noble acts every single day. Your work is to help people see what’s wrong and heal their inner selves, literally.

Try to be your best possible self mechanically and socially during work hours. Empathy is important. Keep your patients happy, and you’ll surely reap its benefits. Be willing to work hard, take on extra roles and responsibilities, and pursue further education and training opportunities.