Careers in HealthcareRadiography

Nuclear medicineNursing

hhholdorf

RadiographyThe Ray’s the thing!!

I. What is Radiography?

• Radiography is the art and science of using radiation to provide images of tissues, organs, bones, and vessels of the human body.

• These images may be recorded on film or, more frequently now, displayed on a computer or video monitor. These images are what we commonly refer to as x-rays. In certain cases, a live motion picture film x-ray (fluoroscopy) is taken to demonstrate the function of a part, such as, the stomach filling and emptying .

• In another form of diagnostic radiography, we can create a 3-D image of a body part, such as the heart, and can then split the images into individual slices (Computed Tomography)

II. What is a Radiographer?

• AKA x-ray tech

• Most people are really not familiar with what a radiographer does. This career has little to do with radar and everything to do with:– Investigating why people are ill– Finding and localizing foreign bodies – Determining how badly a person is injured– And helping to determine whether a person has cancer

and determining a treatment plan.

• Radiographers, in short, are at the heart of modern medicine.

• A radiographer must know how to isolate and image even the tiniest of body parts utilizing the smallest amount of ionizing radiation.

• Radiation, when used by uneducated persons, can be dangerous to the patient and the user. The radiographer understands radiation and knows how to produce quality diagnostic examinations safely, protecting the patient and the radiographer.

Gun Shot to Arm

Patient swallowed a knife

Quarter in Stomach

Fractured/Broken Arm

Screwdriver and knife in Head

Baby Swallowed a safety pin

• The radiologist, a physician specializing in analyzing these x-rays, is not usually present during an examination. The radiographer is truly the eyes and hands of the radiologist. As such, they contribute a special talent to help the physician diagnose injury and disease.

III. Where Do Radiographers Work?

• Radiographers may work:– In Radiology Departments of hospitals– In operating rooms– In emergency rooms– In special procedural suites in hospitals assisting in

heart catheterizations or angioplastic stent placements

– In clinics– In imaging centers– In a private physician’s office– In battlefield areas– As mobile radiographers traveling to nursing homes or

houses of people too ill to come to the hospital– In industrial settings– In commercial sales of radiographic supplies and

equipment– In equipment installation and repair

• The list of possibilities is endless!

IV. What Are the Job Opportunities?

• For the present graduates, there are many opportunities around the country. There are shortages particularly in the Midwest and in the South. The market in the South is tighter due to the number of schools in this area. However, with baby boomers about to retire, shortages of radiographers are even predicted for the south .

• With specialized training beyond the basic radiography program, radiographers may advance into the fields of Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, and Ultrasound that you will hear about shortly.

• There are also opportunities for advancement in the fields of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Digital Angiography, Mammography, Radiologist Assistant, education, and hospital administration.

V. What Is The Mean Salary For Radiographers in South?

• In a study performed by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists in 2010, the mean salary for a radiographer in the South is $62,918.

VI. How Long Is The Educational Program For a Radiographer?

• In order to obtain an Associate of Science degree and a diploma, the program including both the college pre-requisites and the courses in Radiography will be approximately three years.

• The radiography portion of the three years will be 24 consecutive months in length. The student must be enrolled as a Radiography major during the Pre-requisite General Education and Professional Radiography Course portions

VII. What specialized high school courses should a potential radiography take?

• The student must possess a high school diploma from an accredited high school or hold a high school equivalence diploma. During their high school experience they must have taken the following courses and received a grade of “C” or better in each:–Algebra I–Algebra II–Biology

VIII. What is the cost of the program?

• In general, a 72+ credit program may cost approximately $10,000 for the total program. This cost covers the pre-requisite college courses and the radiography program courses.

• Of course, costs vary between schools and geographical regions.

IX. How will a student know if a career in radiography is right for him/her?

• An interested candidate should spend time visiting various radiography schools, and looking at the following websites for job specific duties/functions:– American Society of Radiologic Technologists• ASRT.org

– American Registry of Radiologic Technologists• ARRT.org

• Radiographers must possess:– the ability to empathize with a patient while remaining

focused on the completion of the examination. – a strong background in mathematics and science– excellent communication skills.– problem solving and critical thinking skills– ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Nuclear Medicine Technology

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Unleash your boundaries of career opportunities in Nuclear Medicine

Technology where Modern Medicine

andHigh Technology

unite.

Be a Nuclear Medicine Technologist

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What is Nuclear Medicine Technology?

• It is a perfect blend of science and high end technology

• Nuclear Medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material that are administered to the patient in order to evaluate the anatomy and functional status of various organs and tissues

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• The radioactive material is bound to a pharmaceutical that is selectively taken up by the tissue or organ of interest.

• Pictures are taken gamma camera.• Planar and Tomography – 3D images are developed

with the aid of computer software. • Trained physician read the data to make the

diagnosis for treatment.

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• A Nuclear Medicine Technologist is an allied health professional who performs nuclear medicine studies, using radioisotopes, highly sophisticated computers and specialized gamma detectors, i.e. SPECT cameras and PET/CT scanners.

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Gamma Camera

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Nuclear Medicines studies are used to detect:

• various cancers• heart disease• blood clots in the lungs• gall bladder diseases• occult infection• thyroid cancers and

various conditions of thyroid disease

• gastrointestinal bleeding

• Bone, liver and kidney diseases

• brain tumors• diseases related to

blood disorders

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The Heart

(Cardiac Scan)

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Normal V/Q Scan

(Lung Scan)

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Normal Hida Scan

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Thyroid Scan

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Normal Bone Scan

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Pediatric Bone Scan

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Bone Scan (Rib Fractures)

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Normal Renal Scan

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PET Scan

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Patient Movement

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In short,Nuclear Medicine Technology

helps the physician to evaluatepatients’ anatomical (structural)

and functional status of various organs and tissues in a

non-invasively way.

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What is required to be a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?

• A knowledge of pathology and physiology (human anatomy and physiology).

• A knowledge of radiation; how to work with it safely; how to minimize occupational and non-occupational radiation exposure.

• Good analytical and problem solving skills.• Good interpersonal skills.• Compassion, high degree of personal integrity and

professionalism.

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Where do Nuclear Medicine Technologists work?

• NMT’s work in hospitals.• Increasing numbers are also working in out-patient

clinics and cardiologists’ offices.• Other related jobs are in research, computers and

equipment applications, sales, Radio pharmacy, education, administration and software development.

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What are the job opportunities• Currently demand is soft because of the uncertainty

in the healthcare industry. • The emerging of molecular imaging and PET hybrid

modalities will open a new avenue for the future of Nuclear Medicine.

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• Besides working as regular NMTs, with further specialized training, opportunities are available to work in:

– Nuclear Cardiology

– PET/CT, PET/SPECT and PET/MRI scanning

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NMT Salaries

Current surveys state that salaries average $30 to $35/hour in the U.S. ($60-$70K).

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How long is the educational program for an NMT?

• By completing all prerequisites credits as well as all core courses and objectives, a nuclear medicine program can be completed within 2 to 3 years.

• You will be awarded a certificate and an Associate in Science degree and be eligible to sit for the board exams.

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How will a student know if a career in Nuclear Medicine Technology is right for

them?• All the qualities mentioned earlier are what is

required.• An interested candidate should spend time reviewing

the following websites for a description of the professional job responsibilities:– SNMMI.org (Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular

Imaging– ARRT.org (American Society of Radiologic Technologists)

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NursingA career with many

opportunities

Registered Nurses (RN’s) work in various specialties

• Cardiac Care• Critical Care• Emergency Nursing• Maternal/Child• Medical Surgical• Oncology

• Operating Room• Orthopedics• Pediatrics• Psychiatric• Radiology• Rehabilitation

RN’s work in various places

• Hospitals• Outpatient• Industry• Camps• Community Health• Developmental

Disability Centers

• Schools• Hospices• Long term care• Military• Occupation Health• Higher Education

The Nursing Shortage

• U.S. Bureau of Health Professions Nursing Forecast ModelUnited States

• 2020–Shortage of 49%

Characteristics needed to be a nurse

• Leadership and organizational skills

• People skills• Patience• Flexibility • Compassion • Problem-solving skills• A sense of humor• The ability to stay calm in a crisis

Education needed prior to attending nursing school

• Nursing schools require a high school diploma and a sound academic standing in high school English, algebra, chemistry, biology, and an understanding of computers and technology is also a necessity.

Admission Requirements

• High School transcript• Three letters of reference• Application essay• SAT scores• Nurse Entrance Test (NET)

Continuing Education Opportunities

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN)• Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN)• Advanced Practice Nursing

- Nurse Practitioner- Clinical Nurse Specialist- Nurse Educator

• PhD in Nursing

Thank you for your kind attention!

Harry H. HoldorfProgram Manager/Diagnostic Medical

Sonography

• holdorfh@easternflorida.edu ☺• www.easternflorida.edu