There are many career options in the interventional radiology field.
Radiologists are trained in taking and interpreting images for medical diagnosis, according to the website RadiologyInfo.org. There are many areas in which radiologists choose to specialize. One is interventional radiology.
Interventional radiology is a subspecialty that uses "minimally invasive interventional techniques" to take images, diagnose and treat patients, notes RadiologyInfo.org. Examples include blood vessel imaging and treatment (angiography, angioplasty and stent placement) and biopsy procedures.
Interventional radiology technologists must be proficient in various imaging techniques, which include, according to wiseGEEK, x-rays, MRI, ultrasound and CT scanners.
Different Types of Jobs
There are several specific jobs in which interventional radiology technologists are qualified to perform. The website wiseGEEK lists them as interventional technologist, interventional radiographer and diagnostic radiological technologist. The average salary is just over $58,000 a year, according to Salary.com.
Interventional Technologist
The role of the interventional technologist is to serve as an assistant to physicians during interventional and invasive diagnostic procedures, explains wiseGEEK. Such procedures are peripheral vascular and cardiac procedures.
Other job responsibilities include getting patients ready for procedures and creating documentation on the procedures that are performed. Interventional technologists also communicate with nurses and physicians about each patient's status, notes wiseGEEK. Interventional technologists also maintain their equipment and supplies, including inventorying these items.
Interventional Radiographer
Interventional radiographers operate interventional radiography tools and equipment, such as power injectors and the Advantage Windows Workstation, according to wiseGEEK. They also help collect patient images as well as encode, edit and complete patient exams.
Diagnostic Radiological Technologist
The diagnostic radiological technologist is also a career option in interventional radiology. The main responsibility, reports wiseGEEK, is to prepare and administer contrasting agents, which is done under a physician's supervision. To accomplish this, technologists have to determine the correct amount and rate of contrast that will produce the best imaging scan of the patient.
Where to Find a Job
Interventional radiology technologists can locate career opportunities from various general online job boards. It can also be helpful to explore more industry-focused job search sites. For instance, the Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers (AVIR) operates its own career center for individuals seeking these specific positions.
Tags: radiology technologists, according wiseGEEK, diagnostic radiological, diagnostic radiological technologist, Interventional radiology, interventional radiology
