DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

What They Do *

• Perform tests or evaluations that aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury or other physical conditions

Places of Employment *

• Hospital Laboratories• Private Laboratories• Doctor’s offices• Clinics• Public Health Agencies• Pharmaceutical (Drug) companies• Research or government agencies

ECG Technician• Operates electrocardiograph

machines which records the electrical activity of the heart

• Prepares the ECG for cardiologists to read

• Stress tests• Holter monitors which are

ECGs that last 24-48 hours

Electroencephalographic (EEG) Technologist

• Operates electroencephalograph

• Records electrical activity of the brain

• Prepares electroencephalogram for neurologist to use

• Used to evaluate brain tumors, stokes, epilepsy, etc

Careers in Radiology

• Also called diagnostic imaging

• Most techniques are noninvasive

• Recent advances have in some cases eliminated the need for surgery or other invasive procedures

Radiologic Technologists *

• Work under the supervision of doctors called radiologists

• Use x-rays, radiation, nuclear medicine , ultrasound and magnetic resonance to diagnose and treat disease

Radiologic Technologists Specialty Areas

• Radiation therapist: administer radiation to treat disease (usually cancer)

• Nuclear Medicine technologist: prepares radioactive substances to administer to pt

• Ultrasound Technologist (sonographer): use equipment that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images

More Radiologic Tech Specialties

• Mammographer—produces images of the breast to detect breast cancer

• Computerized Tomography (CT or CAT scan)—obtains cross-sectional images to help locate tumors and other abnormalities

• Magnetic Resonance (MRI)-uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of organs inside body

Medical Lab Technologist *

• Work under supervision of doctors call pathologists

• Bachelor’s degree• Study tissues, fluids, and cells of the human

body• Help determine the presence and cause of

disease• Perform complicated chemical, microscopic

and computerized tests

Medical Laboratory Technician

• Work under the supervision of the medical technologist or pathologist

• Perform many routine tests that do not require advanced knowledge

Phlebotomist *

• 10-20 hour certification class

• Usually required to perform so many successful sticks

• Collect blood and prepare it for testing

• Work under supervision of pathologist or medical lab technologist

Epidemiologist *• Identify and track diseases in

the population• Evaluate statistics and data

to help deal with epidemics, contagious diseases and other health issues

• CDC employs many epidemiologists

Biomedical Engineer * • Develop devices that aid in the

diagnosis and treatment of disease

• Develop artificial organs or implants

• Design computer systems used for diagnostic testing

• Design moitors, x-ray machines, surgical instruments, lasers, etc

Biomedical Technician

• Work with many different machines used to diagnose, treat and monitor patients

• Install, test, service and repair equipment such as kidney dialysis machines, heart-lung machines, respirators, etc.