Medical Radiology

What is a Radiologic Technologist?

 A Radiologic Technologist sometimes referred to a Radiographer, is a healthcare professional who is educated in the area of Medical Radiology.  Technologists perform routine diagnostic, fluoroscopic, surgical and portable radiological examinations.

 Technologists are responsible for the mental well-being and physical comfort of patients during radiographic examinations.  A technologist must work with all ages and types of patients as well as various different types of radiographic (x-ray) equipment.

What is Radiography?

Radiography is the art and science of using radiation to provide images of tissues, organs, bones, systems, and vessels that comprise the human body.  These images may be recorded on film, recorded digitally or displayed on a video monitor.  Sometimes, motion picture film, videotape or even compact discs are used.

Radiologists (not to be confused with Radiologic Technologists) are physicians who have been trained to interpret x-ray images. It is not the role of the technologist to interpret films, but produce the most diagnostic films possible.

Accurate diagnosis and/or possible treatment of a patient depends on the accurate and precise production of a quality x-ray film (a radiograph), which is one of the major goals of a Radiologic Technologist.