| Technology is advancing at an alarming rate, and the | | | | various instruments such as cell counters and |
| medical field is no exception to this surge in | | | | microscopes, but you must also be able to properly |
| technological growth. This means that there are many | | | | analyze results. |
| opportunities for those who wish to enter the field of | | | | On the other side of the spectrum, radiologic |
| medical technology. However, in order to become | | | | technologists often work directly with patients and their |
| qualified and certified, you must undergo intensive | | | | skill sets and qualifications vary from a medical |
| training as these instruments are highly specialized and | | | | laboratory technologist. Also known as radiographers, |
| someone's life is often at stake depending on the type | | | | they perform X-rays in order to help physicians |
| of medical technology you specialize in. While the | | | | diagnose and treat their patients. |
| requirements may seem daunting, the financial and | | | | Because the equipment radiographers use are |
| personal payoff is extremely rewarding for many | | | | potentially very harmful, those who wish to pursue this |
| people. Before you consider entering this field, there | | | | career must graduate from an accredited training |
| are a few things you need to know. | | | | program that requires anywhere from one to four |
| While those who specialize in medical technology do | | | | years to complete. Upon completion, many states |
| not require the same amount of school and training as | | | | require a certification exam from the American |
| a physician, you must invest a great deal of time in | | | | Registry of Radiologic Technologists. |
| school and there are other qualifications that you may | | | | Note that while an individual may choose to specialize |
| not immediately realize are important in this line of | | | | in a variety of areas such as computed tomography |
| work. Not only must you be technologically savvy in | | | | or magnetic resonance imaging, many radiographers |
| your desired area of expertise, but you must also | | | | must speak with patients on a day-to-day basis, |
| possess great interpersonal skills as you will have to | | | | making interpersonal skills a very important asset. |
| communicate with doctors, nurses etc. and in some | | | | Another interesting career currently booming in the field |
| cases, the patients themselves. | | | | of medical technology is that of the cardiovascular |
| A basic overview will help you to get a better picture | | | | technologist. They specialize in heart and blood vessels |
| of what may lay in store for you in the field of medical | | | | in order to treat related ailments. From monitoring a |
| technology. | | | | patient's heart rate to performing ultrasounds, this |
| Medical laboratory technologists are largely removed | | | | position requires a great deal of technological expertise |
| from the hospital atmosphere and tend to work in | | | | and devotion. Cardiovascular technologists may |
| medical laboratories alongside physicians. Their goal is | | | | choose to specialize in vascular technology, |
| to identify symptoms and help to diagnose patients' | | | | echocardiography, or invasive cardiology. |
| ailments. Their role in the medical field is crucial, | | | | In any case, those who wish to aspire to this position |
| because without this expertise, going about curing | | | | must complete a two-year junior or community college |
| people would be an extremely difficult task. Physicians | | | | program followed by certification from either the |
| use the information a medical laboratory technologist | | | | Cardiovascular Credentialing International or the |
| provides in order to properly treat their patients. They | | | | American Registry of Diagnostic Medical |
| are expected to conduct such work as determining a | | | | Sonographers. Similar to radiographers, a |
| patient's blood type to identifying diseases such as HIV | | | | cardiovascular technologist works predominantly in |
| AIDS. | | | | hospitals, so strong communication skills are extremely |
| In order to be a certified medical laboratory | | | | valuable. |
| technologist, you must complete a bachelor's degree | | | | As the population swells with an elderly demographic |
| (preferably in the sciences) and then must receive a | | | | and technology advances at a stupendous rate, the |
| degree from an accredited medical technologist | | | | opportunities in the field of medical technology are |
| program. A national certification exam is then required | | | | skyrocketing. |
| as this job required you to not only know how to use | | | | |