Careers Diagnostic Services

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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

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AHEC

• 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. 

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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.

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Careers in Diagnostic Services

• Audiologist
• Cardiovascular Technologist
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• Radiologic Technologist

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Audiologist
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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.

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Audiologist

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

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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

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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 bachelors or masters
  degree in communication sciences and disorders or
  one of the scientific disciplines.

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Cardiovascular Technologist
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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.

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Cardiovascular Technologist

• 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 hearts
  condition during exercise or use ultrasound waves
  to produce images of the hearts chambers and
  valves.

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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

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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.

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
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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.

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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

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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.

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Nuclear Medicine Technologist
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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.

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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

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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.

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Radiologic Technologist
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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.

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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.

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Radiologic Technologist

• Work Environment

• Salary

• 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

• Clinics
• Colleges and universities
• Equipment sales
• Government facilities
• Hospitals
• Mobile facilities
• Physicians offices
• Public health departments
• Specialized imaging centers
• Urgent care centers

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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.

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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