What is the first picture that comes to your mind when you hear the term medical imaging? X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound?
Medical imaging is an innovative and exciting field of science that makes advanced progress in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of chronic illnesses. If truth be told, medical imaging plays a great role in the field of medicine. Healthcare professionals perform different diagnostic imaging procedures to provide excellent patient care and possible treatment options.
If you are interested in the field of medical imaging and want to pursue a career as a medical imaging technologist or are passionate about working with technology, this post is for you. Let’s explore the education requirements for becoming a medical imaging technologist and what career and advancement opportunities are available in this field.
Advantages of Medical Diagnostic Imaging Procedures
Today, medical imaging has now become an integral part of disease and diagnosis management. These images are created for diagnostic and treatment purposes to control the spread of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients.
The diagnostic imaging system helps clinicians manipulate images to gain better insights and information about the human body. In medical imaging, different advanced techniques and state-of-the-art processes are used to create high-resolution images of various parts of the human body.
These images help medical professionals and physicians view the inner body structures to figure out what is happening inside the body. Visualization of these areas can help healthcare professionals diagnose the disease, create effective treatment plans, and execute the treatment.
What Courses You Will Take?
Imaging science students take courses that are mainly focused on imaging technology, such as X-ray, CT, and MRI, which enable them to create images and interpret them to figure out what is happening inside of the body. You will find an array of education programs, certifications, and diploma programs that can be pursued by medical school students, residents, and nurses, and prepare them to acquire a license.
Students are interested in radiology and sonography are required to complete a two-year associate degree program. After completing the associate program, students can qualify for a license. The four-year bachelor’s degree program provides you with in-depth knowledge of the medical imaging field and improves your concepts of other subjects such as math and English.
Imaging sciences students are required to take some basic courses so that they will be better able to understand the different functions of the human body. Here is a list of courses that you will take in the radiology bachelor’s degree program:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Physics
- Pathology
- Medical terminology
- Introduction to Radiologic Science
- Radiography
- Issues in the Practice Environment
- Radiologic Science I and II
Students are required to take basic courses in human anatomy, and physiology, along with psychology, physics, and other courses.
Those students who are interested in diagnostic medical sonography are required to complete the following list of courses:
- Pathophysiology
- Ultrasound Scanning
- Ultrasound Instrumentation
- Clinical Education
Medical Imaging Certification
If you have completed a degree from a Caribbean medical school and want to choose a career as a medical imaging technician. You have to fulfill some certification requirements to get a license and become eligible to work. For instance, if you want to become a sonographer, you are required to become certified by completing a graduate program and then passing a certification exam. Keep in mind the certification requirements vary from state to state; therefore, it is advised to understand the specific requirements of your state’s board.
In order to become a radiologic technician, you need to become certified and licensed. To get a license, you need to graduate from an accredited program and then pass the certification exam from your state.
Different Types of Medical Imaging Tests
Medical imaging includes different radiological imaging techniques. Here is the list of different types of medical imaging tests:
- X-ray
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Medical ultrasonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
- Endoscopy
- Elastography
- Tactile imaging
- Thermography
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
Medical imaging also includes different measurement and recording techniques that produce data (not images). This data is represented in the form of graphs so that clinicians can devise the best possible treatment plan for the patients.
Career Opportunities
Completing a degree in medical imaging sciences will provide you with many lucrative career options. You can work in a myriad of healthcare settings, operating rooms, and medical facilities. You can also qualify for management and consulting positions in the field of medical imaging technology. Moreover, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in medical imaging sciences and completing a medical imaging certification will also allow you to qualify for teaching positions.
Graduates can work in diverse settings, including hospitals, private clinics, and research laboratories – to name a few. Here is a list of careers you can choose within the field of medical imaging, including:
- Radiation therapist
- Nuclear medicine technologist
- Diagnostic medical sonographer
- MRI/ Radiologic technologist
- Cardiovascular technologist
Specialization Options
Students of medical imaging sciences can specialize in different areas such as:
- X-ray
- Fluoroscopy
- Mobile radiography
- Angiography
- Trauma radiography
- Computed tomography
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Bone densitometry
- Mammography
- Nuclear medicine
- Sonography
The best part is that these specialties within the field of medical imaging offer many high-paying careers.
Opportunities to Learn and Grow
It is one of the main reasons why you should pursue a career in medical imaging, as it gives you the opportunity to learn advanced skills and learn how to operate advanced equipment and medical tools. Technologists can expand their knowledge and advance their education in the field by learning new technologies. With certifications and professional development programs, you can learn new information and expand your employment eligibility.