Radiographer (Medical Imaging Technologist)

A radiographer (or medical imaging technologist) is a university-trained health professional who works with cutting edge technology to produce X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans and other medical images to assist clinical radiologists and other doctors diagnose, monitor or treat a patient’s injury or illness.

Radiographers can train in specialised areas such as:

• Trauma radiography, which usually involves working in emergency departments
• Mobile radiography, which involves using special machines for patients who are too sick to travel
• CT (computed tomography) scans
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
• Fluoroscopy – an X-ray test that examines the internal body and shows moving images on a screen like a movie
• Angiography – imaging of blood vessels and the heart
• Working in operating theatres to assist surgeons with special X-ray equipment during operations.

Radiographers have a very thorough understanding of the body’s structure, how it is affected by injury, and the causes and effects of disease.

The radiographer performs the medical imaging on the instructions of the radiologist [add link]. The radiologist then interprets the images the radiographer has taken and communicates the results to the referring doctor.

Courses in radiography are available at a number of universities. More information is available from The Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.

Page last modified on 21/9/2016.