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Medical Special Procedures Technologists operate and monitor diagnostic imaging equipment during the examination of patients by physicians in hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities.

JOB DUTIES

General duties of Cardiac Catherization Special Procedures Technologists may include:

Position/immobilize the patient on the examining table following the physician's instructions

Enter technical factors, such as the amount and quality of the radiation beam and film sequence, into the computer

Activate the fluoroscope and 35mm motion picture camera (cinefluoro-graphy) to produce images that assist the physician in guiding the catheter (thin wire) through the patient's cardiovascular system

Observe gauges, recorders, and video screens of the multi-channel data analysis system and alerting the physician to changes in the patient responses

Assist the physician in instilling enzymes or inserting a small balloon in the patient's blood vessels to remove plaque or other blockage

General duties of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Special Procedures Technologists may include:

Interview the patient and positioning the patient on the examining table

Place the specified coil (receiver), such as the head coil or knee coil, close to the body area of interest

Enter data into a computer such as the patient's history and the patient's entry position into the aperture (opening) of the magnetic resonance imaging equipment (head or feet first)

Input commands to specify the scan sequences, and adjust transmitters and receivers into the computer

Observe the patient through the window of the control room and on the closed circuit TV screen

View the images of the body area being scanned on a video display screen and inputting data on the keyboard of the camera to photograph the images

General duties of CT (Computer Tomography) Scan Special Procedures Technologists may include:

Positioning/immobilizing the patient on the examining table

Administering the contrast media orally to the patient or assisting the physician in intravenous injection

Entering data, such as the type of scan requested, slice thickness, scan time, and other technical data, into the computer

Starting the CT scanner, viewing images of organs or tissue on the video display screen, and starting the camera to produce radiographs

Evaluating the radiographs, video tape and computer generated information for technical quality

General duties of Angiogram Special Procedures Technologists may include:

Positioning the patient for examination, using head and/or shoulder braces

Operating a fluoroscope to aid the physician to view and guide the wire or catheter through the blood vessels to the body area of interest

Filling the automatic injector with the contrast media, setting the flow rate, and activating the injection of the contrast media, into the vessels

Monitoring the video display of the body area and adjusting the density and contrast to obtain the best exposure

Starting the filming sequence

Reviewing the developed x-rays for accuracy of positioning and quality

Click here to view a brief video

The equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Medical Special Procedures Technologists may specialize in these areas:

078.362-050  CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION SPECIAL PROCEDURES TECHNOLOGISTS operate diagnostic imaging

equipment (during cardiac catheterization) to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of a patient's heart and cardiovascular system to aid physicians in diagnostic evaluation and treatment.

078.362-058  MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SPECIAL PROCEDURES TECHNOLOGISTS operate magnetic resonance imaging equipment to produce cross-sectional images (photographs) of a patient's body for diagnostic purposes.

078.362-054  COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY SCAN SPECIAL PROCEDURES TECHNOLOGISTS operate a CT scanner to produce cross-sectional radiographs of the patient's body for diagnostic purposes. (Computerized tomography is a diagnostic technique using x-ray photographs in which the shadows of structures "before" and "behind" the body section under observation do not show).

078.362-046  ANGIOGRAM SPECIAL PROCEDURES TECHNOLOGISTS operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of a patient's blood vessels to aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. (Angiography involves injecting substances opaque to radiation into blood vessels so that diagnostic x-rays of those vessels may be made).

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Medical Special Procedures Technologists work under the direct supervision of a physician, radiologist, or surgeon. Most Technologists work in the radiology/diagnostic imaging or surgical services department of hospitals or in free-standing (out-patient) diagnostic offices. Work areas are clean, sanitary, well lighted, and ventilated. The hazards of working with radiation are minimized by following rigid safety procedures.

Technologists work an 8-hour day, 40-hour week. They usually work between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. However, some Technologists may work an evening or night shift in some hospitals. Some Technologists may travel in mobile vans equipped with magnetic resonance imaging equipment to nearby rural communities. Most Special Procedures Technologists must purchase their lab coats or uniforms.

Special Procedures Technologists may belong to such professional associations as the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the Society for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions:

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving direct personal contact to help people

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities involving the use of machines, processes, or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Rate information by using personal judgment

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Visualize flat drawings or pictures as solid objects

• Communicate well

• Keep calm in emergencies and work well under pressure

• Understand medical terminology and principles

• See details/recognize errors in written materials, charts, and tables

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

How many radiation dosage units are in 1 kilogram of material that has 2 Joules of energy?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

The biological effects of radiation are directly related to the rate at which energy is deposited in living tissue.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining how a patient reacted to a specific amount of radiation.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a patient and then decide how much radiation to apply to them.

Many employers require that the Special Procedures Technologist be registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT ) and have an additional 12 months of specialized courses. To be registered, the radiologic technologist must complete formal training in an American Medical Association (AMA) approved school or hospital.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An additional 12 months of specialized course work is the minimum required by most employers. An Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

Students should obtain the local Education & Training Opportunities for information on what happens to students who successfully complete a program. This information is available at each high school or career/technical center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

149 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

Radiologic Technology programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment in hospitals and clinics taking and processing X-ray photographs of patients for doctors and other medical specialists.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at www.todaysmilitary.com

MEDICAL RECORD TECHNICIANS

Medical records are important for health care delivery. To provide proper treatment, doctors need complete and accurate information about patient symptoms, test results, illnesses, and prior treatments. Medical record technicians prepare and maintain patient records, reports, and correspondence.

What They Do

Medical record technicians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Fill out admission and discharge records for patients entering and leaving military hospitals

• Assign patients to hospital rooms

• Prepare daily reports about patients admitted and discharged

• Organize, file, and maintain medical records

• Type reports about physical examinations, illnesses, and treatments

• Prepare tables of medical statistics

• Maintain libraries of medical publications

Work Environment

Medical record technicians work in admissions or medical records sections of hospitals and clinics. They work in land-based facilities and aboard ships.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include general science and business administration. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in work requiring accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to communicate well

• Interest in using typewriters and other office machines

Training Provided

Job training consists of 6 to 18 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Medical terminology

• Medical records preparation and maintenance

• Maintenance of medical libraries

• Basic typing skills

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian medical record technicians usually work for hospitals, clinics, and government health agencies. They perform duties similar to military medical record technicians. However, civilian medical record technicians tend to specialize in areas such as admissions, ward, or outpatient records. Those working in admission or discharge units are called admitting or discharge clerks.

Opportunities

The number of medical record technicians in the military is unknown.. After training, new technicians each are assigned to hospitals or clinics, where they work under close supervision. With experience, they may assume supervisory positions and may manage medical record units or admission or discharge units.

  E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

High school courses such as biology, physiology, and chemistry as well as amateur photography are helpful in preparing for this field of work. Volunteer work in hospitals and with the Red Cross may serve to introduce you to the general area of health services. Reading the bi-monthly journals "Magnetic Resonance Imaging" and "Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics" will also inform you of trends and related topics. Postsecondary programs in radiologic technology may provide experience opportunities.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

Informal apprenticeships

Mentorships

Job shadowing experiences

Touring a local Medical Special Records Technologist employer

Internships

Volunteer work with a Medical Special Records Technologist employer

Community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is direct application to employers. Assistance may be available from school placement offices, as well as a local office of Michigan Works!. Job openings may be located by consulting newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Medical Special Procedures Technologists depend on their education, experience, area of specialization, and geographic location of the employer.

Nationally, the hourly wages (mid 2009) of Medical Special Procedures Technologists employed by hospitals and related institutions were:

The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $18.05 in 2008.

In Michigan hospitals, the hourly wages (early 2009 of Medical Special Procedures Technologists were:

Depending on the employer, fringe benefits usually include paid vacations; sick leave; hospitalization, disability, and life insurance; retirement plans; tuition assistance; and parking. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

A career ladder for a Medical Special Procedures Technologist may begin as a radiologic technician and proceeds to Medical Special Procedures Technologist, supervisor, and Chief of Diagnostic Imaging. Experienced Special Procedures Technologists with additional education may advance to supervisory or administrative positions.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 45,400 Medical Special Procedures Technologists employed in 2006. Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. The industry distribution for Medical Special Procedures Technologists looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Physicians and surgeons are increasing their use of cardiac catheterization, computed tomography scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. An overall growing and aging population (which has a higher risk to such diseases) should result in a continuing demand for diagnostic imaging services and likewise for Special Procedures Technologists. There is a current shortage of these Technologists.

There are more than 2,375 Medical Special Procedures Technologists employed in Michigan. These Technologists worked in hospitals, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's), outpatient health facilities, and diagnostic imaging centers. A few also worked in office-based group practices of radiologists.

Employment of Medical Special Procedures Technologists in Michigan is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016.An average of 90 annual openings is expected, with 60 due to growth and 30 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. About two-thirds of the Special Procedures Technologists are employed in Detroit area hospitals. The demand for these Technologists will increase as more Michigan hospitals establish cardiac catheterization, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scanning diagnostic units.

MICHIGAN 'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2016

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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