Operates x-ray and other medical imaging equipment to produce images for medical diagnostic purposes in conjunction with Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists or other Medical Practitioners. Registration or licensing is required.
Previously referred to in ASCO as:
2391-11 Radiographer - Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
新西兰注册。(此领域绝对紧缺技能资格:专门从事医疗放射疗法或医学影像学的保健科学学士学位)
NZ registration.(Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are:
a Bachelor in Health Science specialising in Medical Radiation Therapy
OR specialising in Medical Imaging)
What’s it like to be a Medical Imaging Technologist?
Medical imaging technologists operate X-ray and other imaging equipment, such
as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, to produce radiographic
images that are used in the diagnosis and subsequent management of disease or
injury.
Medical imaging technologists who are employed in hospitals may work in the
radiology department, use mobile X-ray units at patients’ bedsides or work in
an operating theatre. They work as part of a team with other healthcare
professionals, medical staff and nursing staff. Hours of work may involve
weekend or shiftwork. Participation in an on-call roster for after-hours
emergencies may also be required.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Medical Imaging Technologist earn an average of $1344 per
week. The [average annual salary for this job is $69888 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
aptitude for science
able to work accurately
able to work as part of a team
eye for detail
enjoy helping people.
This job also involves:
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Professional Jobs
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree,
or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study,
such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Mathematics
School subjects that include some aspect of MATHEMATICS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a mathematics-related subject is a
pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Physics
School subjects that include some aspect of PHYSICS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a physics-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Medical Imaging Technologist
Medical imaging technologists may perform the following tasks:
receive and interpret requests from medical practitioners for X-ray examinations to be performed on patients
determine the appropriate imaging techniques to provide doctors with diagnostic information
calculate details of procedures (such as length and intensity of exposure to radiation) and settings of recording equipment
explain procedures to patients and address any concerns they have about radiation processes
ensure patients undergo the correct preparation for the procedure
correctly position the patient and imaging equipment to obtain the best image of the area being examined
ensure the patient’s welfare during the examination, particularly their exposure to radiation
develop the X-ray films
inspect images to determine if any further views are necessary
operate special equipment such as fluoroscopy equipment (which gives a moving image of the part being examined), angiography equipment (which gives images of blood vessels) and computed tomography (CT) equipment (which gives cross-sectional images of the body).
Specialisations
Experienced medical imaging technologists may be able to develop further
skills in image interpretation.
Sonographer
A sonographer operates ultrasound machines and related equipment to produce
images for medical diagnostic purposes.
MRI Radiographer
A MRI radiographer operates MRI scanners and ensures patient safety during the
procedure to produce detailed images.