Careers for Radiology Associates

A radiology associate, also known as a radiology technician, performs basic x-rays on the skeletal system of the human body. Radiology technicians are employed in doctors’ offices and hospitals. With a little extra training, a radiology technician can advance into several different career paths within the radiology field.

A radiology technician can purse several career options by obtaining certification in different imaging techniques.

MRI

MRI is the abbreviation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. An MRI captures a detailed image of the body using magnetic waves and radiofrequency pulses.

CT

CT is short for Computed Tomography. Computed tomography uses computers to capture images of the body's internal organs.

Mammography

Mammography uses specially designed x-ray machines to capture images of breast tissue.

Sonography

Sonography uses an ultrasound machine to bounce sounds waves off internal organs and convert the sound waves into digital images. 

Bone Densitometry

Bone Densitometry is used to measure the mineral density or total mineral content in bones. This test is primarily used in patients receiving treatment for osteoporosis.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine requires the injection of radiopharmaceuticals into a patient's bloodstream. These injections generate gamma rays within the body. The gamma rays are then captured by a special camera allowing for detailed images of the body's internal organs.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy administers doses of radiation into the human body to destroy cancerous tumors.

Medical Dosimetrists

A medical dosimetrist determines the required dosage of radiation that is needed to destroy cancerous tumors without damaging the healthy non-cancerous tissue that surrounds the tumor.