The X-ray Diagnostic Radiographer
Hello I am FB. I am a diagnostic radiographer.Most radiographers will now have a degree and will have studied for three years at university before entering the profession.
After qualifying I spent 3 years working in the many specialist areas of "x-ray" before assuming responsibility for the general department. Others of my colleagues work in CT, MRI, in Barium examinations in Nuclear Medicine and in Ultrasound.
There are many types of radiography examinations, some are more technical than others but almost all involve ionising radiation (x-rays). There are very strict protocols linked to the use of ionising radiation and all radiographers will adhere to these as they carry out various examinations.
"Plain" x-ray images are the most frequently carried out examinations in the x-ray department. Examples of these are chest, spine, skull x-rays - in fact any area of the skeleton. The radiographer needs to have a good knowledge of anatomy as well as diseases and pathology related to the body, thus ensuring that the right examination and x-ray "views" are taken linked to the patient's condition. These types of x-rays are carried out in dedicated x-ray rooms - in casualty departments, and in specific x-ray rooms in the hospital. If patients are too ill to travel to the x-ray rooms then mobile x-ray units have to be used and the x-ray taken on the ward. There are also satellite areas that require x-rays - in the dental department, in operating theatres when patients are anaesthetised on operating tables, etc… Obviously any patient may require an x-ray - from tiny babies on the Neonatal Intensive care unit, patients with special needs, patients with multiple trauma, unconscious patients etc… so I have to be able to cope with all these individuals and adapt the technique as required.
When performing an x-ray I will need to position your body so that the correct part of your anatomy is well shown. I will often need to take "pictures" from a number of different positions. If you are unwell or in pain then this can sometimes be uncomfortable but it is necessary to allow an accurate diagnosis to be made.
Some types of x-rays that require use of "dyes" to show various parts of the body; these are referred to as "contrast" examinations. Barium is used as the contrast in examinations to show all parts of the alimentary tract - from the stomach down to the large bowel. Iodine based contrasts are used by injection, usually into a vein to show other areas including blood vessels, kidneys and bladder, etc. The dye (or contrast) we inject should only cause you mild symptoms, perhaps a funny taste, perhaps a feeling of being warm, but this will be explained to you before we make the injection
Certain specialised examinations require a different type of x-ray machine than those used for plain x-rays - a unit that shows these is a fluoroscopy unit and the image can be viewed in "real time" on television screen.
Radiographers can choose to specialise after working for a few years: specialist areas include mammography (breast x-rays), C.T., M.R.I., paediatrics, orthopaedics, casualty, cardiac and vascular, etc. Some radiographers may also move on into management posts or in to areas related to radiography which may not have patient involvement - for example the use of computers and computer imaging within the Imaging department is now being developed - no longer are x-rays on produced on film, but images are relayed directly to a computer screen. There is also a lot of role development so radiographers are being trained to perform barium examinations working alongside radiologists. Others are being trained to give contrast injections and to report on examinations. New fields are continually being developed so there are many more career pathways for today's radiographer.
Radiographers work as part of a team within the Imaging department alongside radiologists (doctors specialising in radiology), nurses, technical support staff, clerical officers, secretaries, porters, etc. x-ray facilities have to be available at any time so most radiographers are required to work through the night or on extended shifts, so the working week is not purely Monday to Friday 9am till 5pm! Radiographers not only need a lot of technical skills to use the machinery involved but we also try to be "people friendly" as often the procedures can be daunting for the patient. Despite often being very hard work and being on "one's feet" a lot of the time radiography is very rewarding as a career. Most of the time I really enjoy it, except perhaps at five o'clock in the morning when I have been on duty all night!