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General Program Information
Welcome to the Radiologic Technology (Diagnostic Radiography) Homepage
What is Radiologic Technology
(Radiography)?
Radiography, also called radiologic
technology, prepares qualified health care professionals as first
assistants to the physician in medical practice. These professionals
utilize ionizing radiation (x-rays) to image all areas of the
human anatomy for interpretation by the radiologist (a physician
trained in the "reading" of these images). Radiographers
traditionally image bones, but they also perform x-rays of the
lungs, heart, abdomen, blood vessels, joints, stomach, bowels,
gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, and structures surrounding the
brain and spinal cord.
How do I become a Radiographer?
The Radiography portion of the
Radiologic Sciences curriculum is offered during the 2nd and
3rd years of the 4-year Radiologic Sciences B.S. degree program
(See course sequence). The first
year of the program is spent completing the University Core Curriculum
(general education courses). Upon completion of the Radiography
curriculum the student will be prepared to challenge the national
registry examination in Radiography. This exam is administered
by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
This is a limited entry
program (35 students/year), so you should apply to the program
as early as possible. Most students apply 1 full year in advance.
What does a Radiologic Technologist
do?
See the information above under
"What
is Radiologic Technology (Radiography)? ". Radiographers have extensive, direct patient
contact that may include performing invasive (inside the body)
procedures. They must be able to interact compassionately and
effectively with people who range from healthy to critically
ill.
The professional responsibilities
include, but are not limited to:
- obtaining and recording an accurate
patient history
- performing diagnostic procedures
and obtaining diagnostic images
- working under supervision as
a member of the medical team
- developing and/or archiving
radiographic images
- providing quality patient care
- using independent judgement
in recognizing the need to limit or extend the scope of the procedure
- collaborating with physicians
and other members of the health care team.
What are the technical aspects
expected of Radiographers?
Radiographers should be able
to:
- Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
- Push and pull routinely
- Bend and stoop routinely
- Have full use of both hands,
wrists, and shoulders
- Distinguish audible sounds
- Adequately view radiographs
- Work standing on their feet
100% of the time
- Interact compassionately and
effectively with the sick or injured
- Assist patients on and off examining
tables, carts and in and out of wheelchairs
- Communicate effectively with
patients and other health care professionals<
- Organize and accurately perform
the individual steps in a radiographic procedure in the proper
sequence
What are the career opportunities?
Radiographers can choose to work
in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, public health facilities,
laboratories, and other medical or industrial facilities performing
radiographic examinations. Career advancement opportunities exist
in education, administration, research and commerical companies
as education/application specialists, sales representatives,
technical advisors, etc.
In addition to excellent career
opportunities, salaries for radiographers are competitive with
or higher than other professionals with similar levels of education.
Contact the
program representative | Radiologic
Science Homepage | View
Radiography Examples
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