National Medical Dosimetrist Day 2024 is on Tuesday, August 20, 2024: Is anyone a Radiologist? If you are what is it likewhat do you have to do on a regualar day?

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 is National Medical Dosimetrist Day 2024. 2013nmdd_poster.jpg Medical Dosimetrist's Day

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS (or RADIOGRAPHERS or X-RAY TECHS) are the medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care. They may specialize in a specific imaging technique, such as bone densitometry, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, computed tomography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, quality management, sonography or general radiography. The radiologic technologists who specialize in radiation therapy, which is the delivery of high doses of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases, are radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists.

When you are scheduled for a medical imaging examination or radiation therapy treatment, make sure the person responsible for your care is a registered radiologic technologist. Registered radiologic technologists must complete at least two years of formal education in an accredited hospital-based program or a two- or four-year educational program at an academic institution and must pass a national certification examination. To remain registered, they must earn continuing education credits.

Radiologic technologists who perform imaging examinations are responsible for accurately positioning patients and ensuring that a quality diagnostic image is produced. They work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images to either diagnose or rule out disease or injury. For the images to be interpreted correctly by the radiologist, the imaging examination must be performed properly by a radiologic technologist.

Radiologic technologists often specialize in a particular diagnostic imaging area:

Bone Densitometry Technologists use a special type of x-ray equipment to measure bone mineral density at a specific anatomical site (usually the wrist, heel, spine or hip) or to calculate total body bone mineral content. Results can be used by physicians to estimate the amount of bone loss due to osteoporosis, to track the rate of bone loss over a specific period of time, and to estimate the risk of fracture.

Cardiovascular-Interventional Technologists use sophisticated imaging techniques such as biplane fluoroscopy to help guide catheters, vena cava filters, stents or other tools through the body. Using these techniques, disease can be treated without open surgery.

Computed Tomography Technologists use a rotating x-ray unit to obtain "slices" of anatomy at different levels within the body. A computer then stacks and assembles the individual slices, creating a diagnostic image. With CT technology, physicians can view the inside of organs - a feat not possible with general radiography.

Magnetic Resonance Technologists are specially trained to operate MR equipment. During an MRI scan, atoms in the patient's body are exposed to a strong magnetic field. The technologist applies a radiofrequency pulse to the field, which knocks the atoms out of alignment. When the technologist turns the pulse off, the atoms return to their original position. In the process, they give off signals that are measured by a computer and processed to create detailed images of the patient's anatomy.

Mammographers produce diagnostic images of breast tissue using special x-ray equipment. Under a federal law known as the Mammography Quality Standards Act, mammographers must meet stringent educational and experience criteria in order to perform mammographic procedures.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists administer trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to a patient to obtain functional information about organs, tissues and bone. The technologist then uses a special camera to detect gamma rays emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals and create an image of the body part under study. The information is recorded on a computer screen or on film.

Quality Management Technologists use standardized data collection methods, information analysis tools and data analysis methods to monitor the quality of processes and systems in the radiology department. They perform processor quality control tests, assess film density, monitor timer accuracy and reproducibility and identify and solve problems associated with the production of medical images.

Radiographers use radiation (x-rays) to produce black-and-white images of anatomy. The images are captured on film, computer or videotape. X-rays may be used to detect bone fractures, find foreign objects in the body, and demonstrate the relationship between bone and soft tissue. The most common type of x-ray exam is chest radiography.

Sonographers use sound waves to obtain images of organs and tissues in the body. During an ultrasound examination, the sonographer places a transducer in contact with the patient's body. It emits high-frequency sound waves that pass through the body, sending back "echoes" as they bounce off organs and tissues. Special computer equipment converts those echoes into visual data.

Radiologic Technologists on the Radiation Oncology Team

The medical team responsible for treating many types of cancers includes the patient's primary care physician, a physician specialist known as a radiation oncologist, a medical physicist, a radiation therapist and a medical dosimetrist. The radiation therapist and the medical dosimetrist are members of the radiologic technology profession.

Medical Dosimetrists determine how much radiation will be delivered to a tumor site. Under the supervision of a medical physicist, they calculate and generate radiation dose distributions in accordance with the treatment plan developed by the radiation oncologist. Medical dosimetrists use their knowledge of physics, anatomy and radiobiology to design optimal treatments that apply an effective dose to the targeted area while sparing normal tissue that surrounds it.

Radiation Therapists administer targeted doses of radiation to the patient's body to treat cancer or other diseases. As the radiation strikes human tissue, it produces highly energized ions that gradually shrink and destroy the nucleus of malignant tumor cells. Radiation therapists are highly skilled medical specialists educated in physics, radiation safety, patient anatomy and patient care. They typically see each of their patients three to five days a week throughout a four- to seven-week treatment plan.

RADIOLOGISTS are physicians who earn a four-year doctoral degree to become an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy). They then complete a four-year residency in diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology. More than 90 percent of radiologists go on to become certified by the American Board of Radiology, indicating that they have passed a standardized national examination in radiology.

Diagnostic radiologists specialize in the interpretation of medical images such as MR scans, CT scans, radiographs, nuclear medicine scans, mammograms and sonograms. They are specially trained to identify injury and disease in each of the body's systems, whether bone, tissue, organs or blood vessels. Radiologists may specialize in fields such as neuroradiology, angiography, cardiovascular-interventional radiology, pediatric radiology or nuclear medicine.

Radiation oncologists are radiologists who specialize in the treatment of cancer. They consult with each patient and the patient's primary care physician to determine the best course of therapy and plan a treatment schedule. Then, they work with a medical dosimetrist to calculate how much radiation will be delivered. The radiation therapist is the medical professional who carries out the treatment plan by delivering targeted radiation to the tumor site.

Interventional radiologists are radiologists who perform nonsurgical treatments for a number of medical conditions, most commonly vascular disease. Examples of these treatments include angioplasty, thrombolysis, atherectomy, embolization of bleeding vessels and occlusion of brain aneurysms. Interventional radiologists perform these procedures under the guidance of x-rays, magnetic resonance or other imaging methods.

What is the job description of a radiation oncologist?

Hi Jessica,

Here are first hand information from my medical background (I use to be a cardiovascular specialist).

1) A Radiation oncologist oversees the radiation treatment for a cancer patient. They devise a plan on how to approach the treatment, and requires calculations, computer knowledge to provide the best approach to irradiating a tumor/cancerous tissue. You will be well versed in reading radiographs and all types of radiological methods MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Sonographs, angiograms etc They also require the aid of a dosimetrist and radiation therapist. You will be responsible for their duties, ensuring that your plans are carried through to the last detail. Also it may require teaching others to do these calculations, case studies and keeping current with the technology.

2)Radiation oncologists require a medical school and an MD degree. Then you will need to do a specialty in oncology and then a fellowship in radiation specialist here in the US. Radiation therapist is an allied health specialty which in the US can be a Bachelor's (preferred) or an Associate's.

3)The rad. oncologist will require you to be detail oriented, have excellent spacial and plane recognition (being able to put a 3 D form into 2 D and vice verse to interpret radiological tests). You will be the leader of the oncology team and must communicate accordingly.

4) You will need all A's to get into medical school, excellent references and volunteering activities related to medicine. You will also need to take an MCAT in the US.

5) Recommended classes are Biology, Chemistry, Calculus !&!!, Organic Chemistry, Physics

6) A radiologist is required by law to only perform a certain amount of work related to diagnosing from radiographs. The stress is related to the volume of work the hospital may have on a day to day basis. If you work in medicine, you will have call hours which require you to be paged to inquire about medical treatments from your colleagues, nurses and therapists. It is a high stress job but rewarding in you're passionate about working with technology and cancer.

7) There will always be a job available in these careers. You need to pass your boards for RO (besides the MD degree) and need to be certified to be a radiation therapist. Dosimetrists also need to pass a national board exam.

8)RO- 6-8 years after medical school, Radiation therapist (BS degree 4 years/ *** 2 years), Dosimetrist (4 years),

9)You may want to volunteer at a hospital or a care facility to work with cancer patients to make sure this is really where you see yourself. Cancer patients are the most spiritually and enlightened people around, but there will be some who will need your help to get them through this hard battle. You will need to be prepared to face your own ethical perspectives and remain resolved to respecting the life and decisions your patients needs.

Good Luck!