Career Center
Careers in Radiologic Technology

Radiographers use radiation (x-rays) to produce 2-D, black-and-white images of the patient’s anatomy. These images are usually recorded digitally with modern equipment. Radiographs 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 radiography exam is chest radiography, which is commonly performed to evaluate the heart or lungs for pathologic conditions such as pneumonia.

Computed Tomography Technologists use a rotating x-ray unit and sensor assembly to observe “slices” of anatomy within the body. During processing, the computer stacks and assembles the individual slices, creating a series of diagnostic images that physicians can cycle through. With CT scans, physicians can view the inside of organs layer by layer, a feat not possible with general radiography. Computed tomography images can be reconstructed to create a 3-D representation of the anatomy of interest.

Cardiac Interventional Technologists use sophisticated imaging techniques to guide interventional tools into the heart. Using these techniques, many cardiac conditions can be treated internally, without open surgery. This form of treatment often requires patients to be sedated and is commonly referred to as micro-surgery. Interventional radiography is one of few medical imaging modalities that offers 4-D imaging, in which a 3-D image can be viewed, manipulated and used intraprocedurally in real time.

Vascular Interventional Technologists use sophisticated imaging techniques to help guide catheters, vena cava filters, stents or other interventional tools through the veins and arteries of the body. Using these techniques, many diseases can be treated internally, without open surgery. This form of treatment often requires patients to be sedated and is commonly referred to as micro-surgery. Interventional radiography is one of few medical imaging modalities that offers 4-D imaging, in which a 3-D image can be viewed, manipulated and used intraprocedurally in real time.

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. A radiofrequency pulse is applied to the magnetic field, which knocks the atoms in the patient’s body out of alignment. When the pulse turns off, the atoms return to their original position and give off signals that are measured by the machine and processed to produce detailed images. MR images can be reconstructed to create a 3-D representation of the anatomy of interest.

Mammographers produce diagnostic images of breast tissue using special x-ray equipment. Under the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act, mammographers must meet stringent educational and experience criteria in order to perform mammography procedures. Breast imaging is the latest diagnostic imaging technology to offer 3-D representations of the anatomy using the advancement called digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT).

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

Nuclear Medicine Technologists administer trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to a patient, and use a special scanner to detect gamma rays emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals and create an image of the body part under examination. This study obtains functional information about organs, tissues and bone.

Sonographers use sound waves to obtain images of organs and tissues in the body. During an ultrasound examination, the sonographer places a device called a transducer in contact with the patient’s body. The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that pass through the body, sending back “echoes” as they bounce off organs and tissues. Specialized equipment then converts those echoes back into visual data. Sonograms can be performed in 2-D, 3-D and 4-D.