Diagnostic medical imaging program

1. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A CAREER IN DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL IMAGING Medical imaging technology is one of the finest technologies in this world. A lot of improvements and innovations have taken place in recent years in this field. Physicians heavily rely on radiologists and medical images to make a diagnosis. With a growing number of patients, the need for radiologists is now more than ever. There are lots of good schools that have a diagnostic medical imaging program. We are here to let you know why it will be a good option to build a career. WHY CHOOSE A CAREER IN DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL IMAGING? Diagnostic medical imaging in short means taking images of the inside of the human bodies using different equipment to detect anomalies. Imaging technicians do this job and the physicians then look at those images to make an informed

2. decision about the patient’s illness or injury. As one can imagine, doctors don’t do this job, they need other people to do this for them. CT, MRI, X-ray, Ultrasound are some of the examples of diagnostic medical imaging. Students who want to pursue a career in this field can get an Associate Degree that requires 2 years of study or a Bachelor’s degree that requires 4 years. They can join right after finishing High School. The median starting salary for diagnostic medical imaging technicians is $70,000 $86,000 in the USA depending on the area of expertise and experience. Technicians usually work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, or in diagnostic centers. Depending on which state you live in, you may need to get a state license for practicing when you graduate. FIND OUT WHICH AREA YOU ARE INTERESTED IN There are lots of areas in diagnostic medical imaging, and granted you won’t like every one of them but study about those programs and see which one fits your criteria. We will give you brief ideas about some of the most popular ones. Radiologic Technology: Radiologic technologists use X-Ray machines to get • images out of the patient’s body. They also use MRI and CT scans for the job as well. Associate degrees are most common in this area but Bachelor’s is also available. Cardiovascular Technician: These technicians use sonography to examine the • heart; they also help in open-heart surgery and can perform EKG. Both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees are available in this area. Sonographer: They use ultrasonic imaging devices to take images inside the • patient’s body. These images are called sonography or ultrasound. They specialize in gynecological, obstetric, or abdominal sonography.

3. Nuclear Medicine Technology: These technicians use radiopharmaceuticals to • identify diseases inside the patient’s body. The image body organs and monitor metabolic changes. CONCLUSION No matter what area you choose, you will have to do a good amount of course and since it’s a technical job, you will have to do lots of lab work. Training is also available after you finish your degree. So, find out which schools offer the best diagnosticmedical imaging softwareand try to get yourself admitted to one of them.