RADIOGRAPHY

Radiography is mostly the modern medical technology used to diagnose the ailment and diseases of the internal parts of the body using X-ray, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, CTscan, MRI, Angiography and PET technologies. It helps in getting a detailed image of internal body parts and their functioning. By using this, a doctor can easily diagnose the disease and can suggest effective treatment procedure. There are two types of radiography: diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic radiography is concerned with operating radio imaging machines and interpreting results. But therapeutic radiography involves treatment of cancers, ulcer and tumors with the help of radiation technology. Correct diagnosis is important for providing exact treatment for a disease.For some ailments it is not possible to find out the diseases by the symptoms alone.

PET is a nuclear medicine medical imaging, a branch of medicine and medical imaging that uses unsealed radioactive substances in diagnosis and therapy, which produces a three dimensional image of the functional processes in the body.Unless we get a detailed image of internal body parts and what is happening in the body the treatment will not be effective. Radiography is mainly concerned with operating radio imaging machines such as X-ray and interpreting results.

It also involves treatment of cancers and tumors with radiation. There are two career choices in the field- Diagnostic Radiography and Therapeutic Radiography. The main responsibility of the Diagnostic radiographer is to explain the procedure to the patients, prepare them for the tests and operate the machine, and do the maintenance of equipment and records. They also assist physicians in performing procedures such as Myelograms (an exam to detect injuries, Cysts or tumours in the spinal cord) and surgeons in the operating room with portable x-ray machines or fluoroscopic machines.Therapeutic radiography or Radiotherapy is now being used in the treatment and diagnosis of a large number of diseases, including cancer, tumors and ulcers. A therapy radiographer uses radiation in highly controlled conditions in the treatment of tumor. Exact amount of radiation will shrink the tumour. The need for professionals in the field of radiography is increasing. A radiographer is also called Radiologic technologist who has to handle the equipments and upgrade their skills now and then as technology advances. As more sophisticated newer machines are coming up and experts in this career is less, there is an increase in the need for radiographers.




Radiological technicians specialize in radiography, radiation therapy, sonogram, and nuclear medicine. Each of these areas is specialized and the training and work is conducted under the supervision of specialist physicians. The administrative tasks here mainly includes maintaining patient records as well as the usage of the equipment.Radiographers work with Radiologists and Ultrasonologist in carrying out the routine work like taking Xrays, CTscans, and MR scans of patients.

These are then seen by Radiologists for diagnostic purposes. Radiographers usually assist Radiologists in the complex and time consuming radiological investigations also. Radiographers operate equipment which are intended to study images of the body tissues, bones and organs for diagnosis and therapy. The process of X-ray mainly requires administration of chemical mixtures, correct positioning, shielding of body parts not to be exposed to x-rays. Radiographers operate the controls of the machine for the x-ray exposure to produce pictures of the correct density, contrast and detail and subsequently develop the x-rays and prepare it to be seen by the radiologist for opinion. Radiation to cancer patients is given by radiotherapy technicians according to the advice of radiotherapists. Radioisotope technicians are involved in the study of human physiology like blood circulation and functioning of Heart, Kidney, Liver and Thyroid etc.



There is currently a strong demand for diagnostic radiographers, both in the public and private sector in India. Graduates have the opportunity to accept positions in capital cities, rural and remote locations and, internationally. Diagnostic radiographers have the opportunity to work in a variety of medical imaging clinical environments, some of which are general in nature and provide a broad spectrum of imaging modalities and patient presentations.

Other clinical environments can be specialized such as in children's hospitals, geriatric, spinal injury and the defense forces. Diagnostic radiographers also have the opportunity to specialize in an imaging modality such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc. Diagnostic radiographers provide service for most departments of a hospital, including accident and emergency, outpatient clinics, operating theatres, intensive care units, and general wards. Career mobility for radiographers is excellent. With their further education or experience, the opportunities exist for advancement in education, management and additional imaging modalities. Recruitment agencies are also able to place newly qualified and experienced diagnostic radiographers into employment.



Qualifications
Those aspiring to make a career in the field should have a real interest in the science subjects such as Biology, Physiology and Anatomy. The courses for radiography starts at the graduate level. There are one year certificate courses which are available. There are some institutes which conduct Diploma in diagnostic radiography and Radiotherapy of two years duration.There are degree courses such as B.Sc in Radiography, B.Sc. (Hons.) in Medical Technology in Radiography. The duration for the graduate programme is three years. Candidates who have passed their 10+2 or equivalent with 50% marks in biology, physics and chemistry are eligible for entry into the course.

Desired and Essential Skills:
Radiography is essentially a service oriented field. Patience, a calm temperament, an objective approach towards the patients and an understanding of people of all ages, the ability to infuse confidence in patients, tolerance, a strong willpower, strength of mind and purpose are essential for people aspiring to make a career in the field. Other skills required are a strong scientific and technical bent of mind, the ability to learn new skills and adapt to the changes, communication skills and a spirit for teamwork, good powers of observation, accurate judgment and self-confidence



There are a lot of job opportunities for radiographers inside the country as well as internationally. In India there are a lot of jobs in health services. Radiographers are required in large numbers in nursing homes, hospitals, diagnostic centers and super speciality hospitals. The job of a radiographer also covers areas like medicine, research and teaching. The field of nuclear medicine and photography are also open to x-ray technicians and radiographers. Radiographers have to make high quality images which in turn will help to diagnose disease and injury. They are employed in the X-ray and ultrasound departments of medical institutions and clinics.

Radiographers have to work in diagnostic imaging department, intensive care unit, operating theatre, along with doctors and other hospital staff. In short they have to work as a team.The following job profiles also comes under radiography

Radio Diagnosis: It is the method of diagnosing the patient's illness with the help of X-ray, ultrasound or other such equipment.

Radio Therapy: A therapy radiographer treat patients with tumour, using radiation in highly controlled conditions.

Radiation Protection: Specialists in this area monitor the levels of radiation exposure and thereby ensure that no one is over-exposed to these radiations, which could prove to be extremely harmful.



Radiographers are one who are working in government hospitals can earn somewhere between Rs 8,000-12,000 per month. Private hospitals and clinics offer more lucrative pay packages to radiographers. There are huge demands of Indian radiographers in foreign countries. They offer high pay packages along with many fringe benefits

• B.Sc. (Hons.) Medical Technology in Radiology


• B.Sc. Medical Imaging Technology


• B.Sc. Medical Tech. (X-Ray)


• B.Sc. Radiography


• B.Sc. Radiography


• Certificate Course in Dark Room Assistant


• Certificate Course in Radiography


• Certificate Course in Radiography Diagnostic


• Certificate Course in Radiological Assistant


• Certificate Course in X-ray Technician



• Diploma in Medical Radiation Tech. (Diag.)


• Diploma in Medical Radiation Technician (Nuc. Med)


• Diploma in Medical Radiation Technician (Therapy)


• Diploma in Radio diagnostic Technology


• Diploma in Radiography and Radiotherapy


• Diploma in X-Ray Assistant


• Diploma in X-ray Imaging Technology (DXIT)


• Diploma in X-Ray Technician


• Post Graduate Diploma in Imaging Technology


• Post Graduate Diploma in Radio Diagnosis and Imaging Sciences


• Post Graduate Diploma in Radio Therapy Technology

Radiography Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad( Andhra Pradesh ) Government General Hospital, Guntur( Andhra Pradesh ) Government General Hospital, Kakinada( Andhra Pradesh ) Kakinada ( East Godavari Dist. ) - 533003 Government General Hospital, Kurnool( Andhra Pradesh ) Kurnool ( Kurnool Dist. ) - 518002 King George Hospital : College of Nursing, Vishakapatnam( Andhra Pradesh ) M.G.M. Hospital, Warangal( Andhra Pradesh ) Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad( Andhra Pradesh ) S.V. (Sri Venkateshwara) Ayurvedic College, Tirupati( Andhra Pradesh ) Siddakkrdha Medical College, Vijayawada( Andhra Pradesh )

According to experts in the field, this is a b oom time for qualified radiologists. Indian radiologists are increasingly receiving work from the US, Europe and elsewhere. Therefore contemporary radiologists need to be computer literate in this technology intensive specialization. Radiology has become an attractive career choice of young people. The first point in the line of a medical investigation, it plays a very critical role in medicine. "Technology developments in this field are fast and furious, which is why today it is the number one specialization choice for MBBS graduates," says Dr. Dhaval Modi, who was the head of the department of radio diagnosis, neuro-radiology and interventional radiology at the highly reputed Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre (estb. 1952), since 1994.

A major breakthrough in this field - teleradiology i.e electronic transmission of radiological images such as x-rays, CTs and MRIs from one location to another for interpretation and consultation - has spurred the demand for qualified radiologists. Consequently people across the world including the remotest parts of India, can get the expert opinion of best radiologists.Since India boasts a large pool of well-trained doctors and is simultaneously experiencing an ICT (information communication technology) revolution, it is gradually emerging as a tele-radiology hub. Indian radiologists are increasingly receiving work outsourced to them from the US, Europe, Singapore and the Middle East. Therefore one of the important attributes of a contemporary radiologist is computer literacy, as this specialization has become technology intensive.