There is a common misconception that medical imaging just involves dealing with a machine and pushing some buttons. However, the truth is that it is much more vast and advanced than most people expect. With medical imaging, one can get a lot of information about the human body, which helps in monitoring and treating various medical conditions.
There are a lot of career opportunities available in this field. Medical Imagining Science is a rapidly expanding field with a myriad of clinical, research, and health education opportunities available post-graduation. Nowadays, several reputable universities are providing various allied health sciences courses including BSc.in Medical Imaging Science to interested applicants. With the required qualification, a graduate from this program can make a truly successful career in this field.
We have summarized some key points regarding the medical imaging sciences along with its career prospects. So, let’s check them out.
What is Medical Imaging?
Medical Imaging is a healthcare discipline that involves producing and interpreting clear and sharp images of various sections of the body. These pictures come in handy to diagnose a disease or injury.
With the help of effective monitoring, suitable treatment can be carried out because most of the health issues become evident from the respective patients’ scans and reports.
As mentioned above, many advanced technologies and techniques are taught to students pursuing a BSc in Medical Imaging Science. The major technologies in which the learners get training involve the operation and interpretation of images produced by 😕
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- X-Ray Radiography and others.
Why is Medical Imaging Technology Important?
With the help of medical imaging technology, medical professionals can identify underlying health issues well in advance. This helps to diagnose and treat the respective problem effectively before it becomes severe.
Because some ailments can’t be detected just with the help of a physical checkup, technologies like CT scans, X-rays, MRI scans, etc are critical to modern diagnostic approaches.
All in all, medical imaging is a good combination between medicine and technology, which is revolutionizing the healthcare sector. However, some people confuse it with radiology. For this reason, these two are often used interchangeably. Let’s understand the difference between them below.
Difference Between Radiology and Medical Imaging
The responsibilities of medical imaging experts mainly revolve around the operation of X-rays and other imaging machines. Medical Imaging experts can also do some basic image interpretation. However, they usually work in collaboration with a radiologist to achieve complex interpretations.
On the other hand, radiologists are required to analyze the reports and convey the key findings to the professionals who demanded the test. Radiologists specialize in 3 main fields: Interventional Radiology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Radiation Oncology. The professionals with expertise in these fields treat different patient groups.
In simple words, medical imaging professionals work under the guidance of radiologists. They provide them with images from which the key details are conveyed to the respective physician.
What Are The Career Opportunities in Medical Imaging?
Majorly, medical imaging technologists have their duties in facilities such as hospitals, clinics, etc. Additionally, the firms that work on the development of new medical imaging technologies, also hire professionals for consultation and management positions. Moreover, medical imaging graduates can go into the teaching field and educate the students pursuing an associate degree.
Hence, it boils down to one’s personal preferences and inclinations to pursue the jobs most suitable for the individual. If we keep the niche more specific, here are some key areas where a medical imaging professional may decide to focus on :
Angiography: It involves imaging the blood vessels and the heart.
Mobile Radiography: It is a type of imaging performed through the operation of mobile radiograph machines when the patient is not in a state to travel to the respective laboratory.
Fluoroscopy: It is used where video footage of a particular body part is required. Fluoroscopy professionals use X-Rays to capture the video of a specific section.
Operating room technicians: In this role, the imaging specialist needs to work in the operation theatres and assist the professionals with the help of specific X-ray machines.
Why Should You Pursue Medical Imaging As A Full-Time Career?
Being an imaging technologist is one of the highest-ranked jobs when it comes to professions related to healthcare support. Moreover, the courses related to this field don’t require huge tuition fees like other medical degrees such as the MBChB. So, if medicine and technology both are your fields of interest, it is a perfect profession for you.
Medical imaging specialists have a good standard of living and work-life balance. The salaries are also very good which provides an individual with a good return on the amount they invested through college tuition fees. All in all, medical imaging is a rewarding career that every student can consider.
Is the Medical Imaging Profession Safe to practice?
Some of the students have a misconception that the medical imaging profession can adversely affect their health in the long term. Because they need to get exposed to radiation during work. Although, direct contact with radiation during X-rays and other scans can indeed cause harm.
But, medical imaging students are taught about the preventive measures to keep themselves and the patient safe from radiation. Hence, after completing the respective course during your program, you will know how to minimize the harmful effects of working with specific equipment and machines. Thus, medical imaging is a safe career to pursue.
How To Get Entry into Medical Imaging Programs?
If you are already working in the healthcare sector and just want to switch to medical imaging, entry is comparatively easier. In most cases, you may need to complete a certification, ranging a few months, to get started with this career depending on your background.
However, if you are beginning from the very basics, you need to find a reputable allied and health sciences institute to enroll in and complete a BSc degree in Medical Imaging Science.
Conclusion
Due to rapid growth in medical imaging technology, more and more students are looking to join related programs to boost their careers. After graduating from one such program, graduates can get good salary packages while serving the patients and playing their part in the welfare of society. If you are planning to start with a BSc. Medical Imaging Science program, choosing a reputable university or college is important. Getting your degree from the best-suited institutes will lead you to the best job opportunities.
