For the Love of Pete!
We are not Button Pushers!
Okay, so let’s talk about the elephant in the x-ray room. No! Radiologic technologists are not button pushers, nor are we technicians. An x-ray technician is a term that is often used interchangeably, but this is not an accurate representation of who we are. Technologists do not just work with machines, but rather on people. As technologists, we often strive to be understood and acknowledged for the value we bring to the health care community.
The role of a radiologic technologist involves much more than pushing a button and making exposures. Technologists apply proper patient positioning and technical factors, employ safe radiation protection practices, serve the community with quality and empathetic patient care, and exercise a sound working knowledge in radiobiology and radiation physics.
At the core of health care, you will find imaging professionals. By assisting in all areas of imaging including surgery, fluoroscopy, interventional imaging, emergency/trauma examinations, and mobile radiography, technologists are providing health care providers the crucial information they need to make their diagnoses. They are also the health team members who image your sick family member or scared child, hold your hand when you are in pain, and use the critical thinking skills needed to work in any situation.
Every year billions of medical imaging procedures are performed throughout the world. So, who is behind this magic curtain? A qualified registered technologist, that’s who. And now, aren’t you glad we aren’t just “button pushers!” Whether it be in the form of radiography, mammography, CT, MRI, ultrasound, or nuclear medicine, imaging professionals keep the heart of health care beating. A Radiology Department works in harmony to manage all these modalities and to offer the best care to all our patients. As an imaging professional for many years, I can say with unwavering certainty, that a picture is worth a thousand words, and we are here to help write the story😉
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