RAD TECH A - WEEK 2 NOTES PG 1
EL CAMINO COLLEGE RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY A
WELCOME TO WEEK 2- Diagnostic imaging modalities and Other career paths
Objectives
•Define the Radiology Team
•Illustrate Careers in and around
Radiology
•Discuss Primary & Post Primary Exams
•Identify work environments for
Imaging Technologists
• Discuss Professional Organization
CAREERS IN RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY
•RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST
–RADIOGRAPHER
–X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST
•“ TECHNICIAN”
•RADIOLOGIST
DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHY
•A RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST:
•Specializing in the use of x-rays to create images of the body including the skeletal system,
chest and abdomen.
The Health Science Professions
1. Radiologic Technology
•Diagnostic radiography
•Computed tomography
•Mammography
•Cardiac-interventional radiography
•Vascular-interventional radiography
•Bone densitometry
Quality management
•Radiologist assistant
•Fusion technology
Radiation Therapy
Nuclear medicine technology
Diagnostic medical sonography.
Magnetic resonance imaging
PACS administration
Education
Management
Professional Credentialing (certification of individuals)
First Comes Initial Certification
•A person is certified by ARRT after graduating from an approved educational program,
complying with the ethical and character standards, and passing a certification exam
•(Graduation from a program does not guarantee certification unless you pass the national
(ARRT) registry exam)
•Registration is the annual procedure required to maintain registration of the certification.
•ARRT registrants are those who, having already fulfilled the requirements for initial
certification, continue to meet the requirements for annual registration.
•24 CEU’s every 2 years
•(ARRT) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
RAD TECH A - WEEK 2 NOTES PG 2
•provides certification through a voluntary examination process
•Established in 1936
•Offers several certifications – radiography (R), radiation therapy (T), nuclear medicine
(N), cardiac interventional technology (CI), vascular interventional technology (VI),
mammography (M), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR),
quality management (QM), sonography (S), vascular sonography (VS), breast sonograpy
(BS), and bone densitometry (BD).
•(NMTCB) Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
•Established 1977
•Offers 2 certifications
•NCT – Nuclear medicine technologist
•PET- Positron emission tomography
•(ARDMS) American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
•Established in 1975
•Offers 3 certifications
•RDMS ( Registered diagnostic medical sonograper)
•RDCS ( Registered diagnostic cardiac sonograper)
•RVT (Registered vascular technologist)
ARRT Primary Examinations
Certification in Primary Disciplines of Radiologic Technology:
•Radiography (R)
•Nuclear Medicine Technology (N)
•Radiation Therapy, (T)
• Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MR)
Sonography (S)
ARRT offers 12 post-primary certifications:
•Candidates for post-primary certification must be registered by ARRT in the appropriate
supporting discipline* to be eligible- meaning:
12 post-primary certifications
•Mammography (M)
•Computed Tomography (CT)
•Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)
•Bone Densitometry (BD)
•Cardiovascular-Interventional
Radiography (CV)
•Cardiac-Interventional Radiography
(CI)
ARRT Registered Technologist R.T.
•Vascular-Interventional Radiography
(VI)
•Sonography (S) (Note: Both a primary
and post primary track)
•Vascular Sonography (VS)
•Breast Sonography (BS)
•Radiologist Assistant (RA)
•Quality Management (QM)
RAD TECH A - WEEK 2 NOTES PG 3
•Dawn Charman, M.Ed, CRT, R.T. (R), (M) (ARRT)
•Kelly Clark, MS, CRT, RT (R),(CT) (ARRT)
• Diane Smith, RRA, RT
•Jose Cruz, RT, (R),(T),(QA)
• Sharon Gattas, R.T. (R),(T),(S), RDMS
National Certification and & State licensing
ARRT = (R.T.) American Registry of Radiologic Technology
•Is recognized nationally as the gold standard for certification of diagnostic imaging specialists.
CRT – Certified Radiologic Technology
•Licensure by the State of California, Dept of Health – Radiation Health Branch
EX: C.R.T. (R) (F) (M) Radiography, Fluoroscopy, Mammography
ACCREDITATION – is a voluntary peer review process that sets conditions under which new
members qualify for entry into the profession.
1. Educational institution (Colleges)o JRCERT - Joint Review Committee on Education in
Radiologic Technology (1969)
o JRCDMS – Joint Review Committee on Education in
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (1979)
o JRCNMT – Joint Review Committee on Education in
Nuclear Medicine Technology (1970)
2. Health care organizations (Hospitals)
o (JCAHO) Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations
Professional Organizations
National:
• (ASRT)American Society of Radiologic Technologists
•(AHRA) American Healthcare Radiology Administrators
•(ACERT) Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology
• (AERS) Association of Educators in Radiologic Sciences
•(ACR) American College of Radiology
Professional Organizations
State:
•CSRT – California Society of Radiologic Technologists
• RTEC – Radiologic Technology Educators of California
DEFINITIONS (see page 4)
RADIATION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOLOGIST
RADIATION TERMS (see page 4)
ENERGY
IONIZATION
IONIZING RADIATION –
RAD TECH A - WEEK 2 NOTES PG 4
TECHNOLOGIST VS TECHNICIAN
–X-RAYS & GAMMA RAYS
ADVANCED SKILL LEVELS
•Beyond Diagnostic Radiography Advanced Modalities
•SALES
•MANAGEMENT (BS)
•EDUCATION
•(BS, MEd, PhD EDD)
MAMMOGRAPHY- radiographic imaging of the breast
Dawn Charman, RT (M)
Mammography RT (R) (M)
o 1992 began post primary exam for mammographers
o Must be ARRT certified in radiography
o Mammography is a valuable tool for early detection of breast cancer.
BONE DENSITOMETRY – measures bone mineral content and density
Joe Ruiz, RT (R) (BD)
o Post primary began in 2001
o Must be ARRT certified in radiography, nuclear medicine or NMTCB certified or
radiation therapy
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY – recording of predetermined plane in the body using an x-ray
beam that is measured, recorded and then processed by a computer for display on a monitor
Kelly Clark, RT (R) (CT)
o Post primary began in 1995
o Visualizes sectional anatomy by taking “slices” through the body and then reconstructing
the images with the use of a computer and x-rays
o Must be ARRT certified in radiography, nuclear medicine or NMTCB certified or
radiation therapy
o On the job training with continuing education
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING – uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves and a
computer to acquire sectional images of patient anatomy
Jane Schultz, R.T. (MR)
RT (R) (MRI) or RT (T) (MRI) or (N) (MRI)
RAD TECH A - WEEK 2 NOTES PG 5
o 1995 ARRT began post primary exams
o Good for soft tissue structures
o Must be ARRT certified in radiography, nuclear medicine or NMCTB certified, or
radiation therapy.
o Used to be on the job training with continuing education, but now there are several
formal education programs available.
CARDIAC INTERVENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY –injection of contrast media through a
catheter for diagnosing and treating diseases in the heart.
Mike Smith, RT (R) (CI)
o Post primary began in 2003?
o Must be ARRT certified in radiography
o On the job training with continuing education
VASCULAR INTERVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHY – injection of contrast media, usually
through a catheter for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases of the blood vessels.
Joe Car, RT (R) (VI)
o Post primary began in 2003
o Must be ARRT certified in radiography
o On the job training with continuing education
NUCLEAR MEDICINE – uses radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis,
therapy and medical research.
Mina Colunga RT (N) or Mina Colunga RT (CNMT)
o Post primary – an individual who has credentials in radiography, medical technology,
nursing or a bachelor’s degree in the basic sciences
o Primary- through ARRT or NMTCB
o Formal education required
1. PET SCAN (Positron Emission Tomography)- is a noninvasive nuclear imaging
technique that involves the administration of a positron emitting radioactive molecule and
subsequent imaging of the distribution of the radioactive materials as it moves in and out of
tissues.
2. SPECT SCAN (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) – employs nuclear
imaging to determine tissue function.
RADIOLOGY ASSISTANT (RA) – is an advanced level radiographer who extends the
capacity of the radiologist in the diagnostic imaging environment.
•Loma Linda University offers a BS program
•Weber state has a 2 year program (must have 5 years in the field)
•Post primary began in 2005
•Must be ARRT certified in radiography and complete educational program
•RADIATION THERAPY The branch of Radiology that involves the treatment of disease by
means of high energy x-rays (GAMMA) or radioactive substances
Mina Colunga R.T.(T)
RAD TECH A - WEEK 2 NOTES PG 6
•1- 4 years of additional education
•Medical dosimetrists are involved in treatment planning and dose calculations
•CITY OF HOPE
•LLU
•CAL STATE LONG BEACH (?)
ULTRASOUND (Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) – visualization of structures in the body
by recording the reflections of pulses of high frequency sound waves directed into the tissue.
Jane Apple RT (R) (S) or RT (S) or (RDMS)
o ARRT in 1999 began post primary exam
o ARRT in 2005 began primary exam
o Must be ARRT certified in radiography, nuclear medicine or NMCTB certified, or
radiation therapy.
BREAST SONOGRAPHY
•
Post Primary Exam
•
Valuable for Technologists that specialize in Mammography
VASCULAR ULTRASOUND
•Post primary exam
Additional Opportunities
•Education
•Administration
•Management (QM)
Other working opportunities…
Registry (local)
Registry (out of state)
Work Hours
Days, Evenings, Weekends On-Call
Work environments
•Hospitals
•ER, OR, ICU, etc
•Imaging Centers –OP
•Dr’s Offices
•Hospital
•Imaging Center
•Doctor’s Office
•Mobile Trailer
•Research
•Commercial
•Radiologist Assistant = RA
X rays taken around the world !!