How Does a Mammography Technologist Spend a Workday?
Working with Patients
A mammography technologist greets the patient in the waiting room and leads her to the room where the mammogram machine is located. She encourages the patient to change into a robe and use a cleansing wipe to remove her deodorant, since it can interfere with the images taken. When the patient is ready, she explains the mammography process to the patient and answers any questions she may have about it. Then she positions the patient's breasts on the machine, makes any necessary adjustments and takes some images. She examines the images to make sure that they are clear and that there are no anomalies that need further investigation. After all of the images are taken, the technologist releases the patient to get dressed and leave the office. A busy mammography technologist can do as many as 25 or 30 mammograms per day.
Maintaining Equipment
A mammography technologist is responsible for maintaining the mammogram machine so that the images taken are always of the highest quality possible. She cleans and calibrates the equipment according to a set schedule and records this in her maintenance log book. If any repairs are needed, she ensures that they are done in a timely manner by a qualified technician, and all repairs are also recorded in her log book.
Performing Clerical Duties
A mammography technologist spends part of her day performing clerical duties. This could include scheduling mammograms, completing charge slips and keeping patient record files up to date. She could also be filing mammogram films away or retrieving them for comparison with newer films.
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