Chapter 28 - Diagnostic and Related Technology

DMS education includes..

at least an associate’s, bachelor’s programs available, programs certified by CAAHEP

Cardiovascular tech education includes…

associate’s or trained on the job

NMT education includes…

associate’s or bachelor’s in nuclear medicine, programs certified by JRCNMT

Surgical technologist education requirements include…

certificate or associate’s in surgical technology, programs certified by CAAHEP

DMS certification is…

preferred, given by ARDMS

Cardiovascular tech certification is…

preferred & given by CCI or ARRT

NMT certification is…

usually a state requirement & given by NMTCB or ARRT

Surgical technologist certification is…

preferred from NBSTSA

Licensure is usually not required for all the professions except…

NMTs (Nuclear Medicine Technologists)

DMSs can advance by…

specializing (e.g. pediatric, vascular sonography) or taking on managerial/supervisory roles

Cardiovascular techs can advance by…

specializing (e.g. echocardiography, invasive cardiovascular technology) or taking on supervisory roles

NMTs can advance by…

specializing (e.g. PET, radiopharmaceuticals) or taking on supervisory roless

Surgical technologists can advance to…

specializing in a particular area of surgery or taking on a new role like surgical assistant or lead surgical technologist

abdominal sonographer

ultrasound technician who specializes in inspecting a patient’s abdominal cavity to help diagnose and treat conditions

breast sonographer

sound technician who specializes in studying diseases of the breasts

cardiographic technician

professional who specializes in vascular technology and performs noninvasive tests such as echocardiograms

cardiopulmonary technologist

professional who assists the physician in treating and diagnosing heart and lung ailments

cardiovascular invasive specialist

professional who assists physicians in diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel ailments through the use of invasive procedures

cardiovascular technician

professional who focuses on performing noninvasive tests such as echocardiograms

cardiovascular technologist

professional who assists physicians by performing complex medical tests involving the heart and pulmonary system

diagnostic imaging

the use of an image of a body part created by radiographic techniques to aid in a diagnosis

diagnostic medical sonography

use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions

echocardiographer

technologist who uses ultrasound to examine the heart chambers, valves, and vessels

EKG (electrocardiogram)

an instrument for recording the changes of electrical potential occurring during the heart beat that is used to diagnose abnormalities of the heart

electrocardiograph technician

cardiovascular technician who specializes in ECGs, stress testing, and Holter monitor procedures

gamma scintillation camera

scanner used to take pictures of radioisotopes as they pass through a patient’s body

high-frequency transducers

ultrasound transducer  used exclusively for the study of breast tissue

Holter monitor

a pertable device that makes a continuous record of electrical activity of the heart in order to detect episodes of abnormal heart rhythms

invasive cardiology

a heart specialty that requires the insertion of probes or other instruments into the patient’s body

MRI (magnetic resonance scanner/imaging)

a noninvasive diagnostic technique based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induces by the application of radio waves to produce computerized images of internal body issues

neurosonographer

ultrasound technician who focuses on the nervous system, including the brain

noninvasive procedures

technical care that does not require the insertion of probes or other instruments into the patient’s body

NCT (nuclear cardiology technologist)

operates imaging devices that require the use of radionuclides for diagnosis

nuclear medicine

branch of radiology that uses radionuclides in the diagnosis and treaatment of disease

CT technologist (nuclear medicine computer tomography)

combines the use of radioisotopes with X-rays to create two-dimensional or three-dimensional images inside the human body

obstetric and gynecologic sonographer

ultrasound technician  who specializes in the female reproductive system

positron emission scanner/tomography

nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image of body processes

PET technologist

an imaging specialist who prepares and delivers to patients radioactive drugs for diagnosis and medical research

radionuclides

unstable atoms that emit radiation spontaneously

radiopharmaceuticals

radioactive drugs

sonographer

an individual who collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician

stress testing

monitors the heart’s performance while the patient is walking on a treadmill, gradually increasing the treadmill's speed to observe the effect of increased exertion on the heart

surgical technologist

a technologist who assists in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, RNs, or other surgical personnel

transesophageal echocardiography

a form of testing that involves placing a tube in the patient’s esophagus to obtain ultrasound images

ultrasound machines

an electronic device that uses vibrations of the same physical nature as sound to form a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures

vascular technologist

technologist who assists physicians in the diagnosis of disorders affecting circulation

DMS salary is…

$75,920 average

Cardiovascular tech salary is…

$59,100 on average

NMT salary is…

$79,590 on average

Surgical technologist salary is…

$49,710 on average

A healthcare professional who uses sound waves to generate images for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions, specializing in different areas such as obstetrics, abdominal, neurology, breast, vascular, pediatrics, and cardiac.

DMS (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer)

Professionals who assist physicians in diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel ailments through noninvasive tests like echocardiograms, stress testing, and Holter monitor procedures, specializing in areas like invasive cardiology, echocardiography, vascular technology, and cardiopulmonary technology.

Cardiovascular Technician/Technologist

Healthcare workers who use radionuclides in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, specializing in nuclear cardiography, PET scans, and CT scans, requiring at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and certification from organizations like ARRT and NMTCB.

NMT (Nuclear Medicine Technologist)

A technologist who assists in surgical operations, prepares patients, passes instruments to surgeons, and may help in patient transfer, working in hospitals and outpatient care centers, with training programs lasting 9 to 24 months and offering growth opportunities in the field.

Surgical Technologist