You can often learn a lot from people’s photographs—you can see a little of their character and their personality. You can learn even more about people from “photographs” of their internal organs. These photographs can tell you about their physical make-up, the functioning of their nervous system, their bones, and any signs of illness.
Medical imaging techs use high-tech equipment to produce images of patients’ internal organs and bone structures. These images are used by physicians and specialists to help diagnose medical problems.
There are several areas of specialization in this field. X-ray techs, or radiographers, take images using radioactive equipment. MRI techs operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment that uses radio waves to produce images. Ultrasonographers operate ultrasound machines that use sound waves.
Radiographers may do anything from simple x-rays of broken bones to more complex procedures like fluoroscopies. A fluoroscopy usually involves giving the patient a special drink that filters through his or her body and allows the radiologist—a physician who interprets x-rays—to see moving images of soft tissues or organs as an x-ray beam passes over the patient’s body.
CT techs are radiographers who operate computerized axial tomography (CT) scanners to produce images of the brain and other organs. MRI techs operate machines that use large magnets, radio waves, and a computer to create an image. MRIs give clear images of the body, particularly the brain and spinal cord.
Ultrasonographers send high-frequency sound waves into a person’s body to create images of organs. Ultrasound images are used to monitor pregnancies, and help in the diagnosis of heart problems, and vascular, abdominal, pelvic, and brain disorders.
Working with complex equipment is only one part of a medical imaging tech’s job. Another, and perhaps more important, part of the job is dealing with patients.
During a typical session with a patient, a medical imaging tech puts the patient in the proper position for the image to be taken, assists the patient if he or she is disabled, prepares the imaging equipment, and takes any necessary precautions. For example, an x-ray tech positions lead shields to minimize the patient’s exposure to radiation, explains the procedure to the patient, operates the equipment, and answers any questions or concerns that the patient may have.
NOC Code: 3215, 3216