Imaging Careers

Define at least seven terms relating to careers in medical imaging.

Specify the role of selected diagnostic medical health care workers, including personal characteristics, levels of education, and credentialing requirements.

Discuss three important developments in the field of diagnostic imaging.

Identify one imaging technique that does not use radiation.

Key Terms

Echocardiography

(ek-o-kar-dee-OG-ruf-ee) Recording the position and motion of the heart walls or its internal structures using ultrasonic waves

Fluoroscopy

(floor-OS-kuh-pee) Immediate visualization of part of the body on a screen using radiography

Isotope

(ISE-uh-tope) One or more forms of an atom with a difference in the number of neutrons

Polarity

(po-LARE-it-ee) Distinction between positive and negative charges of particles

Radiographic contrast media

(ray-dee-uh-GRAF-ik KON-trast MEE-dee-uh) A chemical that does not permit passage of roentgen rays (x-rays)

Radiography

(ray-dee-OG-ruf-ee) Making film records of internal structures by passing radiographs or gamma rays through the body to make images on specially sensitized film; roentgenography

Tomography

(tom-OG-ruf-ee) Radiograph producing a detailed cross section of tissue at a predetermined depth

Ultrasound

(uhl-truh-sound) Visualization of deep structures of the body by recording reflections of sound waves directed into the tissues

Imaging Careers Terminology *

Term	Definition	Prefix	Root	Suffix
Angiogram	Record or image of a vessel		angi/o	gram
Echocardiograph	Record or image of the heart using sound	echo	cardi/o	graph
Fluoroscopy	Look with a fluorescent screen		fluor/o	scopy
Hemogram	Record or image of blood		hem/o	gram
Mammography	Making a record or image of a breast		mamm/o	graphy
Myelogram	Record or image of bone marrow		myel/o	gram
Radiologist	One who studies radiation (interprets radiographs)		radi/o	logist
Radiology	Study of radiation		radi/o	logy
Sonogram	Record or image made by using sound waves		son/o	gram
Tomography	Making a record or image of a plane of the body		tom/o	graphy

^*A transition syllable or vowel may be added to or deleted from the word parts to make the combining form.

Abbreviations for Imaging Careers

Abbreviation	Meaning
BE	Barium enema
CAT	Computerized axial tomography
CT	Computed tomography
CXR	Chest x-ray
EEG	Electroencephalogram
ECG	Electrocardiogram
IVP	Intravenous pyelogram
MRI	Magnetic resonance imagery
NMT	Nuclear medical technician
PET	Positron emission tomography

Careers

The careers in diagnostic imaging include workers with a broad range of interests, abilities, and training (Box 23-1). The career opportunities in this area include radiography and related occupations (Table 23-1). The radiology department of most health care facilities provides additional radiography procedures, such as monitoring of the heart (electrocardiography) and the brain (electroencephalography).

BOX 23-1 Imaging Careers

Cardiac monitor technician

Cephalometric analyst

Electrocardiogram technician

Electroencephalogram technologist

Holter scanning technician

Medical dosimetrist

Nuclear medicine technologist

Pulmonary function technician

Radiologic technologist

Radiologist

Ultrasound technologist

TABLE 23-1

Imaging Career Educational Cost and Earnings

Career	Educational Cost*	Earnings^†
Radiologist assistant	Radiologist assistant; University of Arkansas for medical sciences (UAMS); Tuition (in state) $12,980 Books and supplies $732 Technology fee $176 Student health fee $374 Program fee $150 Graduation fee $58	Median annual salary: Little Rock, Ark.—$47,590