Life of a Radiologic Technologist

¶ … life of a radiologic technologist is one of variety and demand. The technologist performs many duties throughout the day and is poised and ready to handle many different situations as they arise. In many cases the technologist works in a setting in which scheduled clients arrive and emergency room clients are worked in as time permits. It is an area where every hour can bring different needs and the technologist must remain flexible and open to those changes.

A radiologic technologist is expected to perform many duties. A typical daily routine in the life of a technologist would include performing procedures that use fluoroscopes and computer associated equipment. This means that the technologist must be proficient in the use computers as they relate to the job. They must also be fully trained and proficient in the use of the other equipment in the area as the patient needs to feel they are in the hands of competent medical imaging personnel. Another common daily duty of the technologist is to administer non-inject able contrast media. While most patients come to the area with the IV in place the actual contrast dye is administered by the technician during the process. Technicians are also expected to work with the physicians and perform any duties or assist in any duties that the physician needs them for. Technicians are often responsible for obtaining the back up data from that day or that shift's films and computer notes. They are also responsible for the records maintenance. This includes the files and radiographs along with the preparation of records.

The two most important patient care skills that are needed for an R.T. are confidence and patience. The R.T. is charged with instructing the patient in how to perform during their medical imaging process. This might include getting into uncomfortable physical positions, or swallowing unpleasant tasting substances. The confidence of the R.T. often puts the patient's mind at eases as they are guided through what can be an anxiety producing situation.

The second most important patient care skill that an R.T. can possess is patients. R.T.s are often faced with time pressure to get the patient in and out as quickly as possible because of the backlog of patients who are waiting for their procedure. Remembering that the patient may be nervous, not feeling well, or in pain helps the R.T. remain patient as they explain the procedure to the patient and help them take the steps needed to complete that procedure.

Empathy plays a large role in the career of an R.T. Empathy provides the R.T. with the ability to feel compassion for those who are undergoing medical imaging procedures. Empathy provides a foundation for patience and confidence as the R.T. greets each patient and assists them in getting through the procedure as quickly as possible with a minimum of stress.

In the field of radiological technology communication is vital both in verbal and in written form. If an R.T, does not have excellent reading and writing skills it is possible that the wrong contrast will be given or the wrong imaging procedure will be done. It is also important that the verbal skills be above average. The ability to verbally communicate with a patient is essential in getting that patient into the area, imaged, and processed out of the area. In addition, the ability to communicate well verbally provides the patient with the confidence to trust the R.T. during the process.

One procedure that the R.T. will be expected to perform is the angiography. During an angiography a small tube is inserted into a blood vessel. Usually this is in the blood vessel in the groin or the arm and a camera is inserted. This allows the physician to view the inside of blood vessels, or organs such as the heart to determine what disease is occurring.