These images allow physicians to know the exact nature of a patient's injury or disease. Before an x-ray examination, radiographers may administer drugs or chemical mixtures to the patient to better highlight internal organs. They put the patient in the correct position between the x-ray source and the film, and protect body areas, which are not to be exposed, from radiation. After determining the proper duration and intensity of the exposure, they operate the controls to beam X rays through the patient and expose the photographic film.
All radiological work is done at the request of and under the supervision of a physician.
Just as a prescription is required for some kinds of drugs to be dispensed or administered, so also must receive any kind of imaging procedure. In the years to come, increasing numbers of radiographers will be employed in nonhospital settings, such as physicians' offices, clinics, health maintenance organizations, laboratories, government agencies, and diagnostic imaging centers. With this trend of outpatient care, flexibility and part-time scheduling for radiographers will also increase as well. Salaries for radiographers compare favorably with those of similar health care professions.