Have you ever gone to a hospital or clinic and received an X-ray? If so, the person who helped prepare you for the procedure was a radiology tech. Radiology technologists obtain the images used by physicians to diagnose and treat internal diseases. There are various types of radiology tech jobs available today for those who are trained in this specialized field of medicine.

Radiology tech jobs can be broken down into four major categories. Each one requires a certain amount of medical training, usually including a two or four-year bachelor's or associate's degree in the science of radiology. If you're interested in pursuing this career or just looking for some more information about it, the following is sure to help.

Radiographers

Radiographers, also referred to as radiologic technicians, perform the procedures that obtain X-rays needed by the physician. Radiographers prepare the patient for the X-ray procedure, set up the area with lead shields, and prepare the X-ray beam. They are also responsible for developing the resulting X-ray film. Radiographers generally work under the physician's orders. A major part of their job involves ensuring safe conditions, as X-rays are hazardous if not handled correctly.

Radiographers should expect to work closely with the patients. Their job includes prepping the patient for the procedure and explaining any questions that may arise both before and after the X-ray is given.

Sonographers

For this type of radiology tech job, you will be expected to produce images using high-frequency sound waves instead of X-rays. While this procedure is designed for the same purpose as an X-ray, it is an entirely different process and requires a special form of training all its own.

Sonographers use a transducer to scan the patient's body, watching for results on a connected screen that shows them the result of the sound waves transmitting through the body. Irregularities or other visual cues in the pattern of sound waves will clue them in to certain diseases or unhealthy conditions that may exist.

Sonographers work closely with physicians in diagnosing illnesses. Those already in the medical field may receive sonography training at a hospital; students can also get a degree in sonography from a two or four-year college.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

For a radiology tech job specializing in nuclear medicine, the applicant should be prepared to work carefully under demanding conditions. Some of the materials used in nuclear medicine are particularly dangerous, and the individual must be well-trained in order to handle them correctly.

In nuclear medicine, unstable atoms that emit radiation can be used to diagnose certain diseases in patients. These radiopharmaceuticals are given to patients, often by injection, by nuclear medicine technologists. The technologist then monitors the body functions with a camera, and notes areas where radioactivity may concentrate to indicate an abnormality or disease.

Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapy is a different form of radiology tech job in that it specializes in treating, not just detecting, illnesses. Radiation therapists give patients chemotherapy and other forms of radiology treatment to help treat cancer. They work closely with the patient and physician to bring the patient back to health and attempt to beat the disease.

Regardless of what type of radiology tech job interests you, you're likely to find an excellent job market with good pay and benefits. A shortage of professionals in these areas has resulted in high demand for those with a two to four year degree in any form of radiology tech. If you're considering a radiology tech job for your future, you've got a good chance of landing an excellent career in a rapidly advancing medical field.