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Chapter 28 - Diagnostic and Related Technology

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer; Cardiovascular Technologists/Technician; Nuclear Medicine Technologists; Surgical Technologist

Educational/ Legal Requirements

  • Education & Training

  • Licensure

  • Certification and Other Qualifications

  • Advancement Opportunities

Education & Training

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers require at least an associate’s in diagnostic medical sonography, but there are bachelor’s programs available. These programs are certified by the CAAHEP.

Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians need at least an associate’s from an accredited program, but some are trained on the job.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists usually need an associate’s or bachelor’s in nuclear medicine technology. They get this from a JRCNMT (Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology) accredited program.
Surgical Technologists need at least a certificate or associate’s in surgical technology. Their programs are accredited by the CAAHEP.


Licensure

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers don’t usually need licensure, but requirements vary by the state.

Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians don’t usually need licensure, by requirements vary by the state.

For Nuclear Medicine Technologists, licensure is only needed in some states.
Surgical Technologists don’t usually need licensure, but requirements vary by state.



Certification and Other Qualifications

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers don’t need certification, but it is preferred by employers. Their certification is given by the ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography).

Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians are preferred to have certification, which is sometimes a requirement by employers. Their certification is offered by CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) and ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists).

Nuclear Medicine Technologists are preferred to have certification, which is often a state requirement. Certification is given by the NMTCB (Nuclear Medical Technology Certification Board) or ARRT.
Surgical Technologists are preferred to have certification from organizations like the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting).


Advancement Opportunities
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers can specialize in things like pediatric or vascular sonography, or take on managerial roles.
Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians can advance by specializing in echocardiography or invasive cardiovascular technology, or take on supervisory roles.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists can specialize in PET or radiopharmaceuticals, or take on supervisory roles.
Surgical Technologists can become surgical assistants or advance to lead surgical technologists.

Employment Trends

  • Employment Change

  • Job Prospects

Employment Change

The demand for diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow due to an aging population and advances in medical imaging technology. Faster-than-average job growth is expected.
Cardiovascular Technologist/Technician growth is driven by an aging population and increased use of imaging technology for heart conditions. Job growth is expected to be faster than average for all occupations.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist demand is driven by the increased use of nuclear medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Employment change is expected to grow as medical technology advances and the population ages.
Surgical Technologist growth is driven by advances in surgical technology and an aging population needing more surgical procedures. Employment growth is expected to be faster than average.


Job Prospects

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers have good prospects, especially when you are certified and have specialization training.
Cardiovascular Technologist/Technicians have good prospects, especially when you have certification and specialization training.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists have good prospects, especially when you are certified and have specialized training.
Surgical Technologists have good prospects, especially when you are certified and have experience.




Key terms: (33) page 363

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

  2. breast sonographer
    ultrasound technician who specializes in studying diseases of the breasts

  3. cardiographic technician
    professional who specializes in vascular technology and performs noninvasive tests such as echocardiograms

  4. cardiopulmonary technologist
    professional who assists the physician in treating and diagnosing heart and lung ailments

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

  6. cardiovascular technician
    professional who focuses on performing noninvasive tests such as echocardiograms

  7. cardiovascular technologist
    professional who assists physicians by performing complex medical tests involving the heart and pulmonary system

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

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

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

  11. ECG (electrocardiogram)
    an instrument for recording the changes of electrical potential occurring during the heart beat that is used to diagnose abnormalities of the heart

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

  13. gamma scintillation camera
    scanner used to take pictures of radioisotopes as they pass through a patient’s body

  14. high-frequency transducers
    ultrasound transducer  used exclusively for the study of breast tissue

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

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

  17. MRI (magnetic resonance scanner)
    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

  18. neurosonographer
    ultrasound technician who focuses on the nervous system, including the brain

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

  20. NCT (nuclear cardiology technologist)
    operates imaging devices that require the use of radionuclides for diagnosis

  21. nuclear medicine
    branch of radiology that uses radionuclides in the diagnosis and treaatment of disease

  22. 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

  23. obstetric and gynecologic sonographer
    ultrasound technician  who specializes in the female reproductive system

  24. positron emission scanner/tomography (PET)
    nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image of body processes

  25. PET technologist
    an imaging specialist who prepares and delivers to patients radioactive drugs for diagnosis and medical research

  26. radionuclides
    unstable atoms that emit radiation spontaneously

  27. radiopharmaceuticals
    radioactive drugs

  28. 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

  29. 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

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

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

  32. 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

  33. vascular technologist
    technologist who assists physicians in the diagnosis of disorders affecting circulation