Radiologic Technologist

The inventor of radiology was scientist, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, and the first ever x-ray was actually of his wife's left hand on December 22, 1895. This machinery took off and is used all over the world by a Radiologic Technologist. A Radiologic technologist performs all types of medical imaging procedures, but most commonly x-rays. Radiologic technologists are also known as radiographers or x-ray techs. They provide a high standard of patient care, prepare patients for examinations, and explain procedures. Radiologic technologists have a thorough understanding of anatomy, positioning, radiographic exposure, patient care and radiation protection. Radiologic technologists follow physician’s orders and conform to the regulations concerning

The transformation of radiology paralleled dramatic changes in the role of those responsible for operating the x-ray equipment itself. Many of the first people to operate x-ray machines had no connection whatsoever to the medical profession. Within six months of Roentgen's discovery, charlatans began to devise commercial uses for the x-ray to exploit the public's interest in the new technology. Radiography was considered a form of photography at the time, professional photographers were among the first to purchase and operate x-ray equipment. However, the x-ray was put to use for more serious purposes as in diagnosing and treating illness. As the technology gained popularity in the 1900s, most medical x-ray equipment was owned and operated by independent businessmen, including chemists, engineers and electricians. Physicians would send patients to these x-ray operators for diagnostic and therapeutic services. By the 1910s, however, a number of physicians began to purchase their own x-ray machines to install in their medical offices. A few even began to specialize as radiologists. In the beginning, these physicians operated the x-ray equipment themselves. Advances in equipment and technique, however, quickly outpaced the physician's' ability to keep up and they gradually found more and more of their time was being eaten up by the mechanics of the x-ray machine, leaving less time for patient contact and treatment. Although, it didn't take long for these physicians to realize that to make the most effective use of their x-ray equipment, someone else had to handle the time-consuming tasks of performing x-ray examinations and developing films. Across the country, physicians recruited their receptionists and secretaries to crank the handle of the static machine, pose as subjects and rock the developer pan. These assistants usually had no