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 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 * 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.