• Radiographers
  
• MRI Technologist
  
• CT Technologist
  
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  
• Sonographers (Ultrasound Technologist)
  
• Working Conditions
  

Useful web sites for Medical Imaging Technologists


Interested in Becoming a Medical Imaging Technologist?

Congratulations! You are taking an important step in moving your career ahead with Partners HealthCare.  Job opportunities in the field of Medical Imaging are growing and Partners HealthCare is committed to assisting qualified individuals in pursuing training to prepare for this exciting and challenging occupation. This web site outlines some steps that we suggest you take to determine if training in this field will meet your goals.

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How Do I Begin?

Online, please visit: Medical Imaging. This is an excellent website that details the many career opportunities within the medical imaging field as well as the steps required to enter the field. There are also direct links to all schools in Massachusetts offering medical imaging programs. Finally, the site links to multiple career-specific websites offering in-depth information on all radiology specialties and nationwide educational information.

Once your research is complete, please contact Lisa Ewing, Partners Radiology Project Manager, with any specific questions you might have. Be sure to ask about setting up a visit to one of the Partner’s Healthcare Radiology departments so you can speak to and observe someone who does this job.

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Where Do I Get Training?

Minimum education/training for this position requires completion of a two-year Associate’s degree.  Massachusetts area schools offering Medical Imaging Technologists' Programs include:

Massachusetts Radiology Technologists Programs
Massachusetts Nuclear Medicine Technologists' Programs
Massachusetts Ultrasound Technologists' Programs

Pre-requisite Educational Requirements:

All medical imaging programs require that a prospective student meet certain academic requirements, complete admissions testing, attend a Radiology program information session, and participate in an “observation” or “job shadow” in the Radiology department of a local hospital.

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Minimum academic requirements for admission into a Radiologic Technologist (Medical Imaging) program at most community colleges include:

• High School diploma or GED.
  
• Completion of a High School level Biology class, with Lab component at a grade of “C” or better within the last 5 years; OR
  
• Completion of a High School level Chemistry or Physics class with Lab component.
  
• Completion of two years of High School level Algebra or completion of one semester of college Algebra with a grade of “C” or better.
  

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If you do not currently meet these requirements:

Most community colleges offer day or evening academic courses that can help prepare you to meet requirements.  Please make an appointment to meet with the Admissions staff at any of the above schools to find out your next step.

If you are required to take preparatory courses before applying for the Radiology Technology program and are in need of financial assistance to complete these requirements, please contact the financial aide office at your chosen school. Additionally, there is an organization called The Education Resources Institute (TERI) College Access program, formerly know as the Higher Education Information Center (HEIC) located in the Boston Public Library.  The staff members of TERI are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Call 617-536-0200, extension 4705. The center also has an informative website: www.tericollegeaccess.org.

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If you do meet these academic requirements:

If you believe you meet the necessary academic requirements, your next step is to begin the admissions process at a local college as directed by the admissions office. It is a good idea to apply to more than one school, as there are a limited number of seats in each program and these are in high demand. You may be placed on a waiting list, so starting the process as soon as possible is advisable.

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I'm excited about this new career and need help with paying tuition.

When you have completed the steps listed above, and have been admitted to an accredited medical imaging program, please contact Mrs. Lisa Ewing. She will contact you to discuss the Partners HealthCare Medical Imaging Scholarship Program application process. You may also download a pdf version of the Partners Medical Imaging Scholarship Application

Partners Medical Imaging Program - Results to Date

• From 2002-2006, 150 scholarships awarded, 118 individuals graduated from accredited medical imaging programs with Partners scholarship assistance; 117 of these grads are known to be working as medical imaging professionals.
  
• From 2002-2006, 84 of the above graduates were hired within Partners Radiology. 34 were hired outside of Partners Radiology.
  
• 21 students remain in school as of September 2006.
  
• Over 1200 individuals have requested scholarship information and are considering future careers in Radiology
  
• While diversity statistics have shown that only 3% of medical imagers in Massachusetts are people of color, the Partners Medical Imaging Scholarship Program has consistently recruited 25-30% of its candidates from underrepresented populations. By improving the cultural diversity of our workforce, Partners Radiology is better able to provide excellent care to all members of our community.
  
• Approximately, 40% of all new scholarship candidates and those inquiring about the scholarship program are incumbent workers, employed at various entities within the Partners network.
  
• Between 2002-2006, 59 Partners HealthCare employees have been awarded scholarships. 44 have graduated, 10 remain in school. 36 have been hired within Partners Radiology, 8 were hired outside Partners Radiology.
  

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About the Medical Imaging Profession

Perhaps the most familiar use of the x-ray is the diagnosis of broken bones. However, medical uses of radiation go far beyond that. Radiation is used not only to produce images of the interior of the body, but to treat cancer as well. At the same time, the use of medical imaging techniques that do not involve x-rays, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is growing rapidly. The term "diagnostic imaging" embraces these procedures as well as the familiar x-ray.

Radiographers produce x-ray films (radiographs) of parts of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems. They prepare patients for radiologic examinations by explaining the procedure, instructing patients to remove articles such as jewelry, through which x-rays cannot pass, and positioning patients so that the parts of the body can be appropriately radiographed. To prevent unnecessary radiation exposure, technologists surround the exposed area with radiation protection devices, such as lead shields, or limit the size of the x-ray beam. Radiographers position radiographic equipment at the correct angle and height over the appropriate area of a patient’s body. Using instruments similar to a measuring tape, technologists may measure the thickness of the body area to be radiographed and set controls on the machine to produce radiographs of the appropriate density, detail, and contrast for optimal interpretation and diagnosis by a radiologist (physician).

Experienced radiographers may perform more complex imaging tests. For fluoroscopies, radiographers prepare a solution of contrast medium for the patient to drink, allowing the radiologist, a physician who interprets radiographs, to see soft tissues in the body. Some radiographers, called CT Technologists, operate computerized tomography scanners to produce cross sectional views of patients. Others operate machines using giant magnets and radio waves rather than radiation to create an image and are called Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologists.

Sonographers, also known as ultrasonographers, direct nonionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body; the equipment then collects reflected echoes to form an image. The image is viewed on a screen and may be recorded on videotape or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by physicians. Sonographers explain the procedure, record additional medical history, select appropriate equipment settings and use various patient positions as necessary. Viewing the screen as the scan takes place, sonographers look for subtle differences between healthy and pathological areas, decide which images to include, and judge if the images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes. Sonographers may specialize in neurosonography (the brain), vascular (blood flows), echocardiography (the heart), abdominal (the liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas), obstetrics/gynecology (the female reproductive system), and ophthalmology (the eye).

Medical Imaging Technologists must follow physicians’ orders precisely and conform to regulations concerning use of radiation to protect themselves, their patients, and co-workers from unnecessary exposure.

In addition to preparing patients and operating equipment, medical imaging technologists keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. They may also prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment purchases, or manage a radiology department.

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Working Conditions

Most full-time medical imaging technologists work about 40 hours a week; they may have evening, weekend, or on-call hours. Technologists are on their feet for long periods and may lift or turn disabled patients. They work at diagnostic machines but may also do some procedures at patients’ bedsides. Some radiologic technologists travel to patients in large vans equipped with sophisticated diagnostic equipment. Although potential radiation hazards exist in this occupation, they are minimized by the use of lead aprons, gloves, and other shielding devices, as well as by instruments monitoring radiation exposure. Technologists wear badges measuring radiation levels in the radiation area, and detailed records are kept on their cumulative lifetime dose.

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Useful Web sites for and about the Medical Imaging Professional

Radiology Info (Radiology resource for patients)
Mass Pulse (Health care career information)
Medical Imaging (Website designed to increase your awareness of the Medical Imaging profession)
ASRT (Americal Society of Radiologic Technologists)
ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
MSRT (Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists)

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