Who are the members of the radiology team?
The quality performance of radiology examinations and procedures, along
with accurate and timely interpretation of radiology procedure results,
is accomplished by a team of various health care professionals. The radiology
team includes doctors, technologists, and nurses.
What do the radiology team members do?
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Doctors. The radiology team is led by one or more radiologists, who are doctors
specializing in the field of radiology. Radiologists are responsible for
interpreting the results of examinations, performing certain procedures,
such as interventional radiology procedures or therapeutic procedures,
conferring and consulting with other doctors in other specialties, and
ensuring the overall quality performance of the entire radiology team.
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Technologists. Radiologic technologists (RTs) are responsible for performing many of the
various types of radiology examinations, including X-rays, computed tomography
(CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, mammograms, and ultrasound
procedures. RTs receive formal training in various types of educational
programs, lasting from two to four years. In addition to training in the
various radiology modalities, radiology technology students also study
human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and other pertinent subjects.
Once a radiologic technology student completes training in an approved
training program, he or she may undergo additional study or training in
order to specialize in a particular modality, such as CT scans or MRIs.
RTs are licensed by the State of California. Many also hold registration
by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Sonographers
are registered with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
All of VPH's sonographers have this certification.
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Nurses. Nurses often assist with more complex radiology procedures, such as interventional
procedures requiring sedation of the patient, or procedures requiring
intravenous (IV) administration of medications, contrast, and/or nuclear
substances. Nurses may be responsible for assessing and documenting patient
status, conferring with the radiologist for specific patient care needs,
and providing educational information to patients related to their radiology
procedure.
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Medical physicists. Medical physicists participate in ensuring the accurate delivery of diagnostic
or therapeutic radiation therapy. They work together with the radiology
team in treatment planning, establishing protocols for radiation procedures,
ensuring safe and accurate measurement of radiation doses, as well as
monitoring the performance of radiological equipment. Their role also
encompasses areas of research and development of new technologies. A qualified
medical physicist may have a master's or doctorate degree with one
to two years of clinical physics experience. Medical physicists are certified
by the American Board of Radiology or the American Board of Medical Physics.