Insider Info

Radiologic technologists, rad techs, radiological technicians, X-ray techs -- call them whatever you like. They can still see right through you.

These medical professionals are in charge of X-ray machines and other types of equipment that create images of the inside of the patient's body. What they're looking for and which type of machine they use depends on their specialization. They might check to see if you broke a bone, whether you have breast cancer, or show a pregnant woman her baby for the first time.

By taking the best X-rays possible, Chris Weir knows he might help a doctor diagnose a life-threatening condition or illness. He is a medical radiologic technologist.

"It gives me a lot of personal satisfaction to know that a patient's doctor will be giving care based on the diagnostic information that I can give them with X-rays," says Weir.

Making tough decisions is a daily requirement for radiologic technologists, says Donna Shehane. She is chair of the department of imaging sciences at South College in Knoxville, Tennessee. She explains that every time technologists complete an image, they must look and evaluate that image to see if a doctor could use it for a diagnosis. They must also evaluate patient history. Sometimes medication is needed for the examination, but sometimes it would interfere with the study.

In addition to diagnosis and prevention assignments, radiologic technologists also deal with emergency situations. These can include traumatic and gruesome injuries.

"You have to have a strong stomach and not be afraid of a little blood," says Weir. He says it's challenging to get an image in this situation because the patient is often in a lot of pain.

He has to find a way to position a patient with a broken bone or other injury in a way that produces the best image -- while causing the patient the least amount of pain. This is a delicate balance to find, and a challenge for even the most experienced radiologic technologists.

"As long as a person feels that they have a knack for patient care, then they should look into a job like this," says Weir.

Amanda Wyman is a radiologic technologist in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She works in diagnostic X-rays (determining how efficiently the structures inside the body are performing), cardiac catheterizations (examining the heart) and other special procedures.

"I love my job because there is always more to learn and no day is ever the same. Each day new procedures are coming about," she says.

Wyman enjoys following a patient throughout their process, especially when the outcome is positive.

"It is a great way to help care for people of all different types," she says. Radiologic technologists work directly with their patients. While this is often rewarding, it can also be physically and emotionally taxing.

"Communication is critical. You have to be able to let your patient know what is going on at all times, while finding the best way to help them with the least amount of hassle. This requires that you also have good lines of communication with your co-workers so that you can work as a team for the best possible patient care and exam. Emergency situations also require good communication to be effective and fast," says Wyman.

In addition to being on their feet for most of the workday, rad techs often help patients stand and walk, and position them on the X-ray table. They must be sensitive to the needs of the patient. Patients are often sick and usually nervous or scared about the procedure.

As with most careers in health care, rad techs need to be able to make people feel comfortable. "That is a very important aspect, because some people have very little experience with health care and can be very cautious," says Wyman.

Learning how to deal with different types of people, and the best way to care for them, is a constant challenge for Wyman. But despite the challenges, Wyman encourages others to pursue a career in this field.

"It's a rewarding job that lets you be proud of yourself and constantly learn something new and the newest technologies," she says.

Future rad techs can expect the fast pace of technological advances to continue. Wyman makes an effort to remember how she does things now, as well as the equipment and technology she uses.

"I want to be able to look back and tell the young technologists how I used to do it, and how things are different. I like hearing those stories now from older technologists, so I think that it will be interesting years from now," says Wyman.