Future Roles And Responsibilities

The Role of Radiographer from a Future Perspective

A radiographer is healthcare professionals who is either be a specialist in human anatomy or imaging. They are sometimes known to diagnose and treat pathological disorders (Carver & Carver, 2012). Radiographer is well trained to capture images of organs, tissues for patient’s diagnosis. They appear to have technological skills to deal with imaging equipment and sometimes have the interpersonal skills that are important in patients’ care. Often, education and licensing requirement tent to vary from one country to another. This essay discusses the role of radiographer from a future perspective,

To a certain extent, radiographer’s task seems to fall into three categories which include management, logistics, and examination. “Radiographers have the role of managing patients from admission to the point of discharge which is a constant contact for information and reassurance at the time of radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy” (McKean et al., 2012, pp.2310). This indicates that the role might require a multi-talented individual. Radiographer might be tasked with helping in maintaining the image processing platforms and accessory equipment as well as reporting faulty in equipment. Frequently, radiographer will be required to produce and process images of body structures in the section of diagnostic therapy where an active diagnosis of systemic diseases might be the case. These images will often support, guide and control therapies and treatment procedures. Commonly, this technologist will utilize a variety of x-ray equipment to come up with real-time and planner fluoroscopic x-ray images and sometimes cross-sectional images of the body using computed tomography scanners. To a certain extent, radiographer may progress to an advanced level of practice which might see him undertake specific roles commonly undertaken by doctors. For instance, the role of reporting images, undertaking and reporting of diagnostics as well as research roles. Certainly, this could mean that the role of the radiographer and the career in general, might be an opportunity for management within and beyond radiobiology.

To be specific, diagnostic radiographer in most times will use x-rays alongside other imaging devices to observe patients body and diagnose any possibility of disorder. In most cases, the radiographer will often be present in radiology theatres to form part of the therapy team. In this case, Carver & Carver (2012), state that huge x-ray camera might be utilized probably in all procedures to often allow the radiologists observe the area or organs of the body they are treating or diagnosing in real time. Radiographer mighty have a role of ensuring that radiation utilized in therapy is safely monitored as well as shifting the radiology equipment as radiologists will be scrubbed in sterile gowns and gloves. In this case, a radiographer will be tasked in ensuring that crucial information is frequently recorded and perhaps, produce the images saved throughout the operation. It seems that in most cases, the radiographer will have knowledge of the equipment that doctors might need and often have knowledge on how to open them on behalf of the doctors to ensure that they remain sterile throughout the procedure. After all, radiographer will be the only member of Radiotherapy Theater who will not be scrubbed in sterile gowns and gloves thus will be tasked with the role of monitoring patients and other roles.

It most cases, radiographer career is usually a three-year undergraduate course which seems to involve an enormous amount of attachments to a clinical environment where practical lessons in nuclear medicine, ultrasound, radiology theatre, and other lessons are offered. Certainly, this will bring another vital role of training young radiographers. To become a diagnostic radiographer in United Kingdom for instance, an individual will be required to hold a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic imaging or an equivalent qualifications and this will often be accompanied by registration in the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC), an organization which seem to be tasked with ensuring that professional standards are met and always maintained throughout the health platforms in the country. At the education level, radiographers who have advanced their studies and research will often be entitled with the role of teaching both curriculum and research in universities and colleges (Wheat et al., 2011). It seems that most radiographer who will lecture in universities will have extensive clinical experience within the field of radiology in both academic and in a clinical setting. Frequently, lecturers will be tasked with teaching range of subjects which might range from general radiology to imaging pathology and instrumentation. It tends to indicate that, several teaching methods will often be utilized by radiographers in teaching; like the face to face teaching methods, the use of tutorials as well as online teaching methods. Apart from these academic roles, radiographers will be mentors to their students and will be actively involved in administration and curriculum development. Besides these roles in the teaching field, radiographers will be active in environmental conservation and patient’s right protection (Wheat et al., 2011). They will also ensure professionalism and standard in young radiographer especially through committees and boards.

To conclude, it seems that radiographer roles will be adverse and most important the medical field, training as well as in the environment conservation. Often radiographers are health care professionals specialized in imaging of human anatomy with an ultimate goal of diagnosis of internal organs. Perhaps, their role will not be limited to diagnosis but also in teaching and environmental protection against radioactive materials. Certainly, a radiographer has roles in almost every field and thus they must be multi-talented.

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References

• Carver, E. and Carver, B., 2012. Medical Imaging-E-Book: Techniques, Reflection and Evaluation. Elsevier Health Sciences.
• McKean, S.C., Ross, J.J., Dressler, D.D. and Scheurer, D. eds., 2012. Principles and practice of hospital medicine (p. 2310). 1st Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. USA.
• Wheat, J.M., Currie, G.M., Davidson, R. and Kiat, H., 2011. An introduction to nuclear medicine. Radiographer, 58(3), pp.38-45.