This area of diagnostic medicine is called imaging technology or radiography. Radiographers use sophisticated technology to help physicians pinpoint the location of tumors and cancerous growths in delicate tissues like the brain, to evaluate coronary artery disease, and to visualize other body structures and functions. As part of the imaging study, the Radiographer must also provide competent, concerned patient care and work to minimize radiation exposure to the patient and others in the work setting. With experience or additional education, Radiographers may move into more specialized areas of imaging technology or progress into supervisory or educational positions. Nuclear Medicine Technology Nuclear medicine technology uses radioactive material for both diagnosis and therapy.
Procedures consist of imaging studies, analysis of biologic specimens, and therapy.
In imaging studies, patients are administered a radioactive material which localizes in a specific organ or system of the body. When biologic specimens are analyzed, fluid samples from patients are combined with radioactive materials to measure various components of the fluid. Therapy consists of administration of therapeutic amounts of radioactive materials to patients to treat a specific disease. Responsibilities of the nuclear medicine technologist include preparation and administration of radioactive materials, manipulation of highly sophisticated equipment used to detect the radiation emitted from the patient or sample, work with computers which are used to process images, and care for patients while in the nuclear medicine department. Students may focus elective coursework on business, education, basic sciences, or other areas of interest.