If you want to work directly with patients in a challenging, high-tech and in-demand career, Mercy College's accredited Radiologic Technology program might be the picture perfect program for you. Radiologic Technology is the art and science of using x-rays or high-level energy through the use of modern equipment to produce quality diagnostic images. Mercy College Rad Tech graduates are experts in the field of imaging, working directly with patients and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease.
Radiologic Technology, the art and science in the use of x-rays or high-level energy to produce images, involves the use of modern equipment to produce quality diagnostic images for a radiologist to interpret for diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Although your technical skills for producing diagnostic images are important, your ability to educate patients, address their concerns and solicit cooperation is of equal value. There is an art of radiologic technology that comes with adaptation to many situations that can develop during the imaging process. So, if you want to combine technology with human compassion to create a career focused on the care of patients, you'll find many exciting opportunities in this field.
The following responsibilities rest with the Radiographer: prepare patients for radiographic examinations, explain the procedure, and position the patients so that the correct parts of the body can be radiographed, limit the x-ray beam and shield the patients with lead protective devices to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure, position radiographic equipment at the correct angle and distance from the patient's body, and, with an understanding of tissue thickness, density, and pathology, set the appropriate technical factors on the x-ray control panel to produce images of the appropriate diagnostic density, contrast and detail.
You're probably already familiar with the use of the x-ray to diagnose broken bones. However, you'll find that diagnostic imaging goes far beyond that to include imaging every body system. CT Scanning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Mammography, as well as Cardiovascular Interventional Imaging provide separate career paths, following studies that prepare individuals for entry-level employment in the field.
Places that need Radiologic Technologist/Radiographers include hospitals, physicians' offices, clinics and diagnostic imaging centers.
The Radiologic Technology Program at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio is a 24-month program. To become a Registered Technologist Radiographer, graduates are required to pass The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam. www.arrt.org Some states require licensure to practice. Studies include Anatomy, Physiology, Radiation Biology, Positioning, Radiation Physics, Pathology, and Patient Care Skills.
