RESEARCH SKILLS
INTRODUCTION
The route I have decided to take after gaining enough credits at Access to Higher Education (Healthcare Science) is to study Diagnostic Radiography. According to the Birmingham City University, I should at least obtain a minimum of 220 UCAS tariff points.
The number of credits required will be in excess of that of needed to pass the Access course (66Level 3 credits) and should include Level 3 credits in Science-based subjects, English and Study Skills.
I have chosen to take one of the Allied health professions route and want to study Radiography. When I was doing my research, I became aware of the whole range of careers one can pursue in the NHS. I am a caring person and aim to improve these qualities. Diagnostic radiographers work mainly within the radiology and imaging departments of hospitals, but may also work in surgeries or clinics. (www.prospects.ac.uk)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Radiographers provide essential services to millions of people. They deal with patients of all types and ages, from the very young to the elderly, as well as patients with special needs, such as visual or hearing impairments. Diagnostic radiographers produce high-quality images of organs limbs and other body parts to allow a wide range of diseases to be diagnosed. According to (The College of Radiographers -Registered Charity No 272505) May 2008. As a diagnostic radiographer, I am not confined to work in the x-ray department. I will x-ray patients in the accident and emergency department, on the wards, in the intensive care unit and in the operating theatre when patients are too ill to visit the x-ray department. Diagnostic radiographers work as part of a team and may work alone, outside normal working hours to provide x-ray services 24 hours a day. Wide ranges of imaging methods are used. These include ultrasound, MRI and CT scanning. Ranges of dyes or contrast agents are sometimes used to show soft tissue organs that would not appear on standard x-ray examinations e.g. arteries, the bowel and kidneys. (Medical Physics page 159-188)
Diagnostic radiographers also work closely with all members of health care team as the images produced can affect and determine the treatment and care a patient receives. The role of a radiographer is vitally important to other members of a healthcare team- the diagnosis from a radiographer’s image can affect and determine the treatment and care of a healthcare team. Being a diagnostic radiographer takes a special kind of person-combining skilled use of highly technical equipment with excellent interpersonal skills.
The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
In the radiology profession first you must write the patient’s file. This includes information about insurance, medical history, what the required x-ray is for and where it is going to be taken on the body. Writing in this way is similar to writing a small research paper. You must do research on the patients and there history and what insurance they have. Writing the report is important because the information must be accurate so the patient can be helped as much as possible. If the information about medical history is incorrect it can cause a huge problem for the patient. For example, if the patient is claustrophobic they would need to get an open room x-ray where the patient isn’t in an enclosed tube so they don’t have a panic attack and potentially injure themselves and others. It is very important to make sure the report has the correct area of where the x-ray needs to be taken. Having the wrong part of the body x-...
Attending Florida Southwestern State College to become an x-ray tech is a huge accomplish for me. Because I have a learning disability unfortunately I have to take remedial courses like intermediate algebra, Brush up English, and a reading course the first semester. The good thing about studying Radiology is you can switch to any type of jobs in this field. For an example, you can switch to working with MRI’s or Cat Scans if you want to try another department in the Radiology field. This specific field is for you to work with x-rays. It’s important to know the bone structure .You can work with ultrasounds to, Cat Scans, to MRI’s (Magnetic resonance imaging).
To begin with, how has technology changed the field of radiology? Since the discovery of X-radiation there has been a need and desire for studying the human body and the diseases without actually any intervention. Over the past fifty years there has been a revolution in the field of radiology affecting medicine profoundly. “The ability to produce computers powerful enough to reconstruct accurate body images, yet small enough to fit comfortably in the radiology department, has been the major key to this progress”(Gerson 66). The core of radiology’s vast development consists of four diagnostic techniques: computed tomography (CT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These methods of diagnostic imaging provide accurate information that was not seen before. Amid this information advancement, radiologists have broadened their role of diagnostician. Gerson writes, “With the advent of computer-enhanced imagery and new interventional techniques, these physicians are able to take an active part in performing therapeutic procedures”(66). A radiology breakthrough in 1972 was computed tomography discovered by Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack. Unlike standard radiography, computed tomography would spin the X-ray tube 360 degrees and inversely another 360 degrees while the patient ta...
My personal experiences however, do set me apart. I did not always seek a career in radiology. My first semester in college I was actually striving to be a paralegal and quickly realized that although I have a talent for paying attention to small details and great communication skills, that particular career was not the way I wanted to utilize those natural talents. This forced me to really look deep within myself and figure out what career would give me a true sense of fulfillment, success and happiness; this led me to the Nursing field. Shortly after starting towards this career path I needed to take a break to focus on becoming a
The article shows the job entail which says “to be involved with the interventional procedures” (Baltimore sun). This means to scan almost every part of the body except for the vascular system, health and or limited pediatrics. Depending on what the patient would be coming in for determines what kind of procedures the patient would need. According to the article “sonographers operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests” (Baltimore Sun). Meaning the images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. In also helping assist physicians and surgeons during surgical procedures. As a result, the job responsibilities for this career must be taken seriously. Technique is another key factor that will be needed in order to help others. Not many problems can occur with the patient’s appointment or health, if the technician knows how to do the job correctly. This would conclude all the necessities in order to be very successful and main points of view for a Diagnostic Medical
To be able to perform patient vital signs, talk to parents and record patient history, perform EKGs and other tests, obtain accurate patient information needed for diagnosis and treatment, work with other medical staff and non-medical personnel, communicate with other medical service providers, and to educate patients about procedures or
Being able to identify lumps, swelling, tissue damage, cysts, and the overwhelming news of the sex of a baby all have something in common, an ultrasound. Swelling of the spleen, kidney stones, blood clots, aneurysms, cancer and so much more can be identified through the works of an ultrasound’s imaging technique. Ultrasound involves many concepts, procedures, and careers. The amount of medical possibilities involved with ultrasounds is useful in major medical diagnostics. The field of ultrasounds and career opportunities are widely growing. As medical careers flourish, needs for technicians in many fields of medicine are increasing. Instead of a doctor choosing complex and risky surgery to find out problems within the body, they can now choose a safer path; the ultrasound path. Patient’s history and physical evaluation are building blocks to diagnostics but ultrasounds are much greater. They are powerful tools used to see beyond the skin into the depths of a person’s body. What ultrasounds are, what types there are, and what they are used for, and the education and careers available are the major themes found in research on the subject. Knowledge of ultrasound and its background may help one decide what career is best for them. Understanding the wide array of diagnostic tests and their uses are essential to figuring out what a career as a sonographer entails and the type of education that is needed. Because there are plenty of possibilities for specializing with different technologies, there is a wide variety of job opportunities in the medical imaging career. The call for ultrasound’s assistance opens new paths in future high-quality careers.
The amount of career opportunities involved with the profession are endless. Virtual Job Shadow estimates that there are about 75,000 Ultrasound Technicians in the world and half are working in hospitals. By far, hospitals are the most common employers for sonographers but doctor’s offices are not too far behind. Labs, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes are other establishments that Ultrasound Technicians can be found. These jobs are highly competitive and they demand a high level of attention and accuracy. As medical careers flourish, needs for technicians in many fields of medicine are increasing. Instead of a doctor choosing complex and risky surgery to find out problems within the body, they can now choose a safer path; the ultrasound path. Patient’s history and physical evaluation are building blocks to diagnostics but ultrasounds are much greater. While the field of Ultrasound Technology is a popular in the health care industry, there are still a fairly small number of people in the
Although generally Techs handle equipment, patient needs, and investigate the concerns presented. According to The United States Department of Labor (2015), Ultrasound Techs, “prepare patients for procedures…, maintain diagnostic images or to conduct tests…, operate equipment…, review
Technology is vastly changing, and radiographers need to keep up with this ever changing technology, especially of the computer. Computed Radiography systems are being used worldwide by many radiographers as they are one of the most reliable resources for storing images, which makes accessing past images effortless. No paperwork, less training for radiographers plus more efficiency and consistency. In Computer Radiography no film-loaded cassette is needed, instead an imaging plate is used to obtain an x-ray.
I found myself fascinated by and excelling in visually oriented subjects like histology and gross anatomy. I also pursued opportunities to advance my knowledge of the field as co-president of my institution’s radiologist interest group and as an anatomy tutor where I was able to learn about and teach others how to interpret normal and abnormal anatomy on plain films, CT scans, and gross specimens. Additionally, during my clinical clerkships I gained insight into the vast role that radiologists play in all fields of medicine. I was intrigued by the fact that radiologist assist in the management of essentially every patient in the healthcare system and humbled by the enormous amount of knowledge necessary to confidently make recommendations for such a variety of clinical scenarios. I was also fascinated by the ability of radiologists to use the information from the clinical scenario to choose the imaging modality that had the highest utility in patient
Within the field of radiology, there are: (1) radiologists who are physicians specializing in interpreting diagnostic images in connection with diagnosing illnesses and injuries and monitoring medical conditions in relation to many other areas of clinical medicine; (2) radiological nurses specialize in providing nursing services exclusively in connection with radiological medicine; (3) radiologist assistants are the first line of support for radiological physicians and perform many of the procedures and tests ordered by radiologists; and (4) radiological technologists operate and maintain some of the sophisticated medical imaging systems and tools and work side-by-side radiologist assistants and radiologists in conducting the diagnostic tests on patients.
When choosing a career there are many factors that I will need to look at: will it be something I enjoy; am I just in it for the money; will the job be around years from now; how will it affect my family and me; how will I benefit from the job; and how will my personality fit in? I used to work at Conroe Regional Medical Center in the Radiology Department and watching everyone scurry around the halls was very exciting to me. I knew I always wanted to be in the medical industry I just really wasn’t sure where I would fit in just yet. Many times I have thought about going back to school, and many times I have put it off and I kept making excuses and for many reasons and many times I have put it off because I was scared. There finally came a time in my life to where I could not put it off anymore - it was now or never. In saying this I needed a job that will have a solid future and great job security. The career I have chosen is Radiology Technologist. The reason I have chosen radiology technologist is because I am a hands on person and love working with and seeing different people every day. Radiologic technologists have a great outlook in the job industry the employment is expected to grow 28 percent between 2010 and 2020. You can either work in a hospital setting which at times can be a hectic environment. Because many places offer the same imaging equipment that the hospitals have, you can now work in a clinical setting which would be a little more calm and regular set hours. In May 2010 the median yearly wage was $54,340 and can earn as high as $76,850.