Careers Diagnostic Services

1. Careers Diagnostic Services Information Provided By: Georgia Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC) http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index PowerPoint Presentation By: Juliane Monko & Dr. Frank Flanders CTAE Resource Network, June 2009 Based On PowerPoint Ideas From: Penny Howard, RN, Healthcare Science Instructor

2. There are six centers in the Georgia AHEC Network, and each serves a multi-county region.  • The AHEC mission is to meet the health needs of Georgia by improving the supply, distribution and quality of healthcare providers. • AHECs offer enrichment programs, camps, learning tools, student counseling, volunteer and mentoring activity coordination, and access to other educational resources. • Contact your regional AHEC for more information.  AHEC

3. Objectives • Students will be able to describe health careers in the field of Diagnostic Services. • Students will be able to plan a healthcare career path in Diagnostic Services.

4. Careers in Diagnostic Services Audiologist Cardiovascular Technologist Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Nuclear Medicine Technologist Radiologic Technologist

5. Audiologist

6. Audiologist • Audiologists specialize in preventing, identifying, assessing and treating disorders related to hearing.  • These professionals perform tests and evaluate patients hearing difficulties to determine the range and degree of hearing loss. • They are then able to develop treatment programs so that individuals can adapt to their problems or have them corrected.

7. Audiologist • Audiologists might prescribe a hearing aid, teach a person strategies to communicate effectively, or make physician referrals for medical or surgical intervention.

8. Audiologist Work Environment Salary • Colleges and universities • Home health agencies • Hospitals • Physicians' offices • Public health departments • Rehabilitation centers • Research centers • Schools • Self-employed • Speech and hearing centers • Average Starting Salary $46,548  • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

9. AudiologistAcademic Requirements • A Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree is considered the entry-level degree for this profession. Most audiologists enter doctoral programs after earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or one of the scientific disciplines.

10. Cardiovascular Technologist

11. Cardiovascular Technologist • Cardiovascular technologists perform examinations to determine how well the heart and blood vessels function. • Technologists report to a cardiologist (physician specializing in the heart) and supply data to diagnose heart disease. • They also prepare patients for examinations including taking medical histories, drawing blood samples, and explaining procedures.

12. CardiovascularTechnologist • Areas of Specialization: • Invasive Cardiology • Non-invasive Echocardiography • Non-invasive Vascular Technology • Invasive cardiology, tests that actually go into the heart, includes tests like heart catheterization. • Non-invasive procedures may monitor the heart’s condition during exercise or use ultrasound waves to produce images of the heart’s chambers and valves.

13. Cardiovascular Technologist Work Environment Salary • Clinics • Hospitals • Medical centers • Mobile units • Physicians' offices • Average Starting Salary $41,409 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

14. Cardiovascular TechnologistAcademic Requirements • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.  Programs require up to two years of study depending on the area of specialization chosen. Programs award either a certificate or an associate degree.

15. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

16. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer • Diagnostic medical sonography, also referred to as ultrasound, is used to diagnose abnormalities in the body and examine fetal growth and development in expectant mothers. • Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of body tissues. • Sonographers display these images on video screens. • They prepare patients for the exam, explain procedures, select equipment, operate the machine and obtain medical images used for diagnosis. • Their observations are interpreted by a physician.

17. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Work Environment Salary • Clinics • Hospitals • Mobile services • Physicians' offices • Average Starting Salary $43,264 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

18. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Academic Requirements • A college preparatory diploma is required.  Three types of programs are available:  one-year certificate programs, two-year associate degree programs, and four-year bachelor's degree programs.

19. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

20. Nuclear Medicine Technologist • Nuclear medicine technology uses radioactive materials to see organ images, body functions and assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. • Nuclear medicine technologists instruct patients prior to medical procedures. • Under the direction of a physician, they calculate dosages and administer appropriate radioactive drugs. • Technologists also document the use and disposal of radioactive materials.

21. Nuclear Medicine Technologist Work Environment Salary • Clinics • Hospitals • Imaging centers • Outpatient facilities • Research facilities • Average Starting Salary $46,841 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

22. Nuclear Medicine TechnologistAcademic Requirements • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.  Aptitude in math, science, and computers is essential. Four programs are available: one- and two-year certificate programs, two-year associate degree pro-grams, and four-year bachelor's degree programs.  Graduation from an accredited two-year clinically-related allied health educational program or a bachelor's degree in a hard science is required to enter one-year certificate programs.

23. Radiologic Technologist

24. Radiologic Technologist • Radiologic technologists produce images for interpretation by a radiologist. • They use their knowledge of radiation, equipment, and anatomy to produce images with the correct radiographic density, detail and contrast.

25. Radiologic Technologist • They give patients chemical mixtures so that body organs will be visualized as well as evaluate images and educate patients on procedures. • Radiologic technologists understand the benefits and hazards of radiation and are experts in safeguarding their patients from excessive radiation exposure.

26. Radiologic Technologist Work Environment Salary • Clinics • Colleges and universities • Equipment sales • Government facilities • Hospitals • Mobile facilities • Physicians’ offices • Public health departments • Specialized imaging centers • Urgent care centers • Average Starting Salary $35,172 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

27. Radiologic TechnologistAcademic Requirements • Education in radiologic technology is available in two-year certificate programs, diploma programs, and associate degree programs, and four-year bachelor's degree programs.  Registered radiologic technicians may take advanced level examinations  in mammography, cardiovascular- interventional technology, computed tomography, magnetic resonance  imaging, quality management, sonography, vascular sonography, cardiac- interventional technology and bone densitometry.

28. Summary There is a variety of careers available in Diagnostic Services. Educational requirements vary by career and career level. Students interested in these careers should use the information provided here as a basis for a career plan. The student should also research the career further to complete a career plan. Career available in Diagnostic Services include: Audiologist Cardiovascular Technologist Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Nuclear Medical Technologist Radiologic Technologist