What to Expect as an Echocardiographer
This blog is now focused on laboratory specialties. This article is here for your information only, as jobs are longer provided for any radiation technician specialties.
Now is a great time to be an echocardiographer, because employment is predicted to grow faster than average. There is great demand for employees in the health care field in the U.S., largely because the number of older people is growing larger. This blog will offer information about the field of echocardiography, so that those considering it can make a more informed decision.
One thing that an echocardiographer does often is give sonograms of the heart. An echocardiograher gives sonograms of the heart by using special equipment that generates high frequency sound waves and directs them into a patient’s body. The sonogram equipment then collects the reflected echoes and forms an image that can be photographed or videotaped. An echocardiographer explains the procedure to patient and records the patient’s medical history. Then, an echocardiographer sets the equipment at the correct settings, and moves the patient into the best position for scanning. The echocardiographer looks at the screen during the scan and takes measurements, analyzes the results, checks for anything unusual, and stores the images that the physician will want to see.
Another common thing that an echocardiographer will do is give electrocardiograms of the heart. To do this an echocardiographer will place electrodes on the patient’s chest, arms, and legs. Then, the echocardiographer will use an EKG machine to get a reading. The EKG is printed out by the echocardiographer and given to the physician to interpret.
An echocardiographer can expect to be on his/her feet much of the time. Echocardiographer often have to lift and turn patients, so there is a risk for carpel tunnel syndrome and neck and back strain. Also, an echocardiographer will sometimes work in darkened rooms, so eye strain can be a risk. Most echocardiographers work 40 hours per week, but flexible schedules are common.
To become an echocardiographer, one needs to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in echocardiography. It is also possible to obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiography, then get a certificate in echocardiography afterwards. Often, an echocardiographer who wants to be in a managerial position will need to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Learn about hiring an echocardiographer or find a job as an echocardiographer.
Source:
- December 18, 2007. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians. U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos100.htm
What to Expect as a Radiation Therapist
This blog is now focused on laboratory specialties. This article is here for your information only, as jobs are longer provided for any radiation technician specialties.
A radiation therapist is part of a radiation oncology team that treats cancer. Radiation therapists use linear accelerators, which are machines that give radiation treatment to patients. These 
machines projectx rays at targeted cancer cells. When the x rays touch human tissue, they create energized ions that shrink and eliminate cancerous tumors.
There are several steps that a radiation therapist will go through in the radiation therapy process. First, the radiation therapist will use an x ray or CT scan to find the exact location of the tumor. Once the tumor is located and scanned, the radiation therapist will discuss the treatment plan with the rest of her/his team. Then the radiation therapist must talk with the patient about the plan and ensure that the patient understands and is comfortable with the plan. Next, the radiation therapist will adjust the linear accelerator so that it is pointed at the tumor cells. The radiation therapist will then administer the dose of radiation from a radiation protected room. One session of radiation treatment will normally take less than half an hour, and it will need to be repeated roughly five days a week for two to nine weeks. The radiation therapist keeps detailed records of the patient’s treatments, and is responsible for monitoring the patient throughout the treatment to make sure the plan is working and not producing dangerous side effects. A radiation therapist is in close contact with the patient throughout the course of treatment, and is often called upon to provide emotional support.
A radiation therapist will usually work in hospitals or in cancer treatment centers. A radiation therapist will normally do a lot of lifting and will spend much of their time on their feet. Often, a radiation therapist will work 40 hours per week. Radiation therapists usually work during the day, with little night work except in the case of an emergency.
To become a radiation therapist, one needs to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. It is also possible to obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiography, then get a certificate in radiation therapy afterwards. Often, a radiation therapist who wants to be in a managerial position will need to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Learn about hiring a radiation therapist, or find a job as a radiation therapist.
Source:
- December 18, 2007. Radiation Therapists. U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos299.htm
What to Expect as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
This blog is now focused on laboratory specialties. This article is here for your information only, as jobs are longer provided for any radiation technician specialties.
Nuclear medicine works by using radionuclides, which are unstable atoms that emit radiation. These atoms are used to diagnose and treat disease. A nuclear medicine technologist
administers these atoms, which are compounded and purified to form radiopharmaceuticals, to patients. Then a nuclear medicine technologist watches how the tissues react to the radiopharmaceuticals in order to see abnormal areas that represent disease. Then nuclear medicine technologists use cameras thatmap the radiopharmaceuticals in the patient’s body and creates diagnostic images. A nuclear medicine technologist explains the procedure to patients, prepare the radiation dosage,administer the dosage, and then position patients in order to scan them to see the map of the radiation in the patient’s body.
A nuclear medicine technologist must be in good physical condition, because they will be on their feet most of the day and may have to lift or turn patients. Usually nuclear medicine technologists work 40 hour weeks, sometimes including weekend and evening shifts. Although, there are many part time jobs available too.
Because there has been an ongoing increase in the number of middle aged and elderly people, nuclear medicine technologists will enjoy fast job growth, although because the field is so specialized there may not be a great number of job openings. The field of nuclear medicine technology may expand, due to technological advancement. There will probably be new nuclear medicine treatments discovered as well.
To become a nuclear medicine technologist it is necessary to complete a program which may be as short as one year or as long as four, depending on whether to student wishes to obtain a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is often necessary for advancement into management positions.
Learn about hiring a nuclear medicine technologist, or find a job as a nuclear medicine technolgogist.
Source:
- (December 18, 2007) Nuclear Medicine Technologists. U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos104.htm
What to Expect as a PET Technologist
This blog is now focused on laboratory specialties. This article is here for your information only, as jobs are longer provided for any radiation technician specialties.
Now is a great time to be a PET Technologist, because employment is predicted to grow faster than average. There is great demand for employees in the health care field in the U.S., largely because the number of older people is growing larger. This blog will offer information about the field of PET Technology, so that those considering it can make a more informed decision.
PET is a nuclear medicine imaging technique which works by using radionuclides, which are unstable atoms that emit radiation. These atoms are used to diagnose and treat disease. A PET technologist administers these atoms, which are compounded and purified to form radiopharmaceuticals, to patients. Then, a PET technologist watches how the tissues react to the radiopharmaceuticals in order to see abnormal areas that represent disease. The PET technologist uses cameras that map the radiopharmaceuticals in the patient’s body and creates diagnostic images. A PET technologist explains the procedure to patients, prepares the radiation dosage, administers the dosage, and then positions patients in order to scan them to see the map of the radiation in the patient’s body.
A PET technologist must be good with people because the patients they come into contact with are often anxious about the procedure, the possible results, or both. A PET technologist needs to be able to set patients at ease and answer questions for patients.
A PET technologist must be in good physical condition, because they will be on their feet most of the day and may have to lift or turn patients. Usually PET technologists work 40 hour weeks, sometimes including weekend and evening shifts. Although, there are many part time jobs available too.
Because there has been an ongoing increase in the number of middle aged and elderly people, PET technologists will enjoy fast job growth, although because the field is so specialized there may not be a great number of job openings. The field of PET technology may expand, due to technological advancement.
To become a PET technologist, one needs to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in nuclear medicine. It is also possible to obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiography, then get a certificate in PET technology afterwards. Often, a PET technologist who wants to be in a managerial position will need to complete a bachelor’s degree. If a PET technologist wants to just work in the field, then then it is usually not necessary to complete a bachelor’s degree, because an associate’s will suffice.
Learn about hiring a PET technologist, or find a job as a PET technologist.
Source:
- (December 18, 2007) Nuclear Medicine Technologists. U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos104.htm
