Profession radiographer

Radiographers use a range of technologies to examine, treat and care for patients. They work in the fields of Medical Imaging, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine and apply ionising radiation, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and radioactive sources.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Medical terminology

    The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.

  • Evidence-based radiography practice

    The radiography principles that require the application of quality decision-making and radiography care based on proven clinical expertise as well as the most recent research developments in the field.

  • Pharmaceutical products

    The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

  • Radiation physics in healthcare

    The radiation physics related to conventional radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic nuclear medicine and their principles such as areas of application, indications, contraindications, limitations and radiation hazards.

  • Paediatrics

    Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

  • Health care occupation-specific ethics

    The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.

  • Human anatomy

    The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.

  • Radiation protection

    The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.

  • Medical contrast agents

    Substances used in medical imaging techniques to reinforce the visibility of certain features in organs or cells.

  • Medical oncology

    The characteristics, development, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and cancer in human organisms.

  • Hygiene in a health care setting

    The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.

  • Health care legislation

    The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.

  • Psychology

    The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.

  • Healthcare data systems

    The types of systems that manage and maintain healthcare user data.

  • Scientific research methodology

    The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

  • Radiobiology

    The way ionising radiation interacts with a living organism, how it can be used to treat various cancers and its effects.

  • Pathology

    The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.

  • First aid

    The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

Skills

  • Interact with healthcare suppliers

    Maintain relationships with suppliers who sell healthcare equipment, tools and supplies.

  • Empathise with the healthcare user

    Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.

  • Listen actively

    Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

  • Maintain imaging equipment

    Inspect imaging equipment and quality assurance processes. Report malfunctions.

  • Interact with healthcare users

    Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.

  • Prepare patients for imaging procedures

    Instruct patients prior to their exposure to imaging equipment, correctly positioning the patient and imaging equipment to obtain the best image of the area being examined.

  • Manage radiology information system

    Develop and maintain a database to store, manage and distribute radiological images and data.

  • Calculate exposure to radiation

    Calculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure.

  • Follow clinical guidelines

    Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.

  • Apply radiological health sciences

    Use and apply radiological health sciences according to the situation and patient's response to treatment.

  • Ensure safety of healthcare users

    Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.

  • Apply radiation protection procedures

    Inspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).

  • Determine imaging techniques to be performed

    Determine the appropriate imaging techniques to provide the appropriate diagnostic information to the doctor who requested it.

  • Contribute to continuity of health care

    Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.

  • Interpret requests for imaging examinations

    Receive and interpret requests from medical practitioners for imaging examinations to be performed on patients.

  • Communicate effectively in healthcare

    Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

  • Operate medical imaging equipment

    Produce high quality medical images using technologically advanced medical imaging equipment such as CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), mobile X-ray machines, ultrasound (US), nuclear medicine with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).

  • Work in multidisciplinary health teams

    Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.

  • Respond to changing situations in health care

    Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.

  • Use e-health and mobile health technologies

    Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.

  • Comply with legislation related to health care

    Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.

  • Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

    Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.

  • Ensure compliance with radiation protection regulations

    Make sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.

  • Apply context specific clinical competences

    Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.

  • Apply organisational techniques

    Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.

  • Manage healthcare users' data

    Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.

  • Post-process medical images

    Perform post-processing on medical images, or develop X-ray films, checking processed images to determine if further care is necessary.

  • Provide psychological support to patients

    Provide accurate psychological and emotional support to anxious, vulnerable and confused healthcare users related to the treatment undergone.

  • Deal with emergency care situations

    Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.  

  • Provide information

    Ensure quality and correctness of provided information, depending on the type of audience and context.

  • Provide health education

    Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.

  • Adhere to organisational code of ethics

    Adhere to organisational European and regional specific standards and code of ethics, understanding the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and apply this awareness.

  • Promote inclusion

    Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.

Optional knowledge and skills

prepare lesson content advise on healthcare users' informed consent employ foreign languages for health-related research pharmacology educate on the prevention of illness employ foreign languages in care inform policy makers on health-related challenges pedagogy development trends in radiography human physiology interpret radiology examinations interpret medical images epidemiology orthopaedics identify progression of disease perform clinical research in radiography perform lectures conduct health related research

Source: Sisyphus ODB