Ebooks for Radiographers

Source: Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Radiography _ the Complete Study Guide and Career Planner, Seventh Edition [2017]

Employment Expectations

• Skills expected of an entry-level radiographer are outlined in the ARRT Task Inventory.
• Advances in diagnosis and treatment are in a constant state of change.
• Be honest and straightforward while providing excellent care and service to the patient.
• Speak highly of the facility and be supportive of its efforts to provide high-quality patient care.
• Use social media postings carefully and wisely.
• Arrive for work on time; keep absenteeism to a minimum.
• Be a strong, supportive team player.
• Work in harmony with other departments in the facility.
• Carry out referring physicians’ orders for radiologic exams as written.
• Interact professionally with physicians visiting the imaging department.
• Work with radiologists as fellow team members, providing them the finest diagnostic images possible.
• Make knowledge of technical aspects of radiography, customer service, and communication skills the foundation of your practice.
• Maintain knowledge and skills as imaging procedures change.
• Share knowledge and provide direction to students assigned to you.
• Come up to speed quickly and ask questions of coworkers to assimilate into the department.

Why You May Not Be Hired

• Your references were unsatisfactory.
• Your interview created a poor impression; you did not seem interested; you used poor grammar or other unacceptable communication skills.
• You have had inappropriate social media postings.
• You are unable to work the required hours.
• You choose to reject the job offer because you are not interested in the position.
• You are not qualified for the position, or other candidates were better qualified.
• You did not pass the preemployment drug screening or background check.
• Inconsistent or inaccurate statements were made on your application form.
• You are physically unable to perform the job duties; however, the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines must be considered.
• There was not a good match between what you had to offer and this employer’s needs.

Questions You May Be Asked That Are Not Appropriate and That You Should Not Answer

• Your age
• Your birth date
• How long you have resided at your present address
• Your previous address
• The house of worship you choose to attend (if any) or the name of your clergyperson
• Your family’s surname
• Your birth name, if married
• Whether you are married, divorced, separated, widowed, or single
• Who lives with you
• How many children you have or intend to have
• The ages of your children
• Who will care for your children while you are working
• How you will get to work (unless owning a car is a job requirement)
• Where a spouse or parent works or lives
• Whether you own or rent your place of residence
• The name of your bank or any information concerning outstanding loan amounts
• Whether you have ever had your wages garnished or filed bankruptcy
• Whether you have ever been arrested
• If you have ever been convicted of a felony (this question is illegal in many cities and states until a firm job offer is presented to you)
• Whether you have ever served in the armed forces of another country
• How you spend your spare time or to which clubs or organizations you belong
• Your position on labor unions or whether you have ever been a member of a union
• The nationality of your name

Questions You May Be Asked That Are Appropriate and That You Should Be Prepared to Answer

• Any information you entered on the application form
• Why you left your last job
• How your former employers view you
• What your duties were in your last job or a summary of your clinical rotations if you are a new graduate
• What you liked or disliked about your previous jobs or your favorite or least favorite experiences as a student
• What job duties interest you
• The days or hours you are (or are not) available to work
• The size of the facility in which you previously worked
• What you thought of your previous supervisors or instructors (e.g., whether you got along, what kind of people they were, whether they were strict or easygoing)
• The kind of supervisor you prefer
• How employee or student problems and complaints were resolved at your previous job or clinical site and whether you thought it was a good procedure
• How you would prefer to have employee problems and complaints handled if hired for this job
• What wages you received at your previous job
• Whether you were promoted and on what criteria the promotion was based (e.g., merit, length of service)
• How much you expect an employer to communicate with you and to keep you involved in workplace activities
• Which mode of communication you prefer

Questions You May Wish to Ask the Interviewer

• Why is the current position available?
• What is the annual rate of turnover in the imaging department?
• What is the overall harmony among employees in the
department?
• How is the feedback from employee or patient satisfaction surveys?
• What advancement opportunities are available, including cross-training in other imaging modalities?
• Does the organization provide continuing education, in-service programs, or tuition reimbursement?
• What is the financial security of the organization?

Writing a Professional Resume

• Your resume is a summary of your academic and work history and relevant accomplishments and credentials.
• Keep resume length to one or two pages, as a snapshot of your career to date.
• Include your name, address, phone number, and email address.
• Exclude date of birth, gender, race, marital status, church affiliation, number of children, disabilities, hobbies, and any other data that are irrelevant to your status as a job seeker.
• Include only information that is relevant to your accomplishments and goals as a professional.
• Brevity is the rule.
• Do not use abbreviations of any kind.
• Resumes may be used as part of a mailing or emailing to prospective employers, left with an interviewer after an appointment, included with the job application form, or attached as a PDF document.
• Prepare a cover letter to accompany your resume if doing a mailing, or use the cover letter as the body of the email.
• Include a simple goal statement.
• List all jobs held since high school, oldest first; include all jobs that dealt with the public; emphasize jobs in health care.
• List all postsecondary education; high school should be left off.
• Indicate whether you graduated and whether you received a certificate, diploma, or degree.
• List offices or other positions of responsibility you have held, such as membership in local, state, or national professional societies and membership in student radiographer associations; any professional licenses already held; awards for academic excellence such as honors listings; participation in competitions such as research paper writing, scientific exhibits, and scholar bowls; and attendance at state or national professional society meetings.
• References are not listed on the professional resume.
• Use spell check, proofread your resume, and have someone else proof it as well.
• When applying online, attach the resume electronically.
• If printing, use high-quality 60- to 75-lb paper, white or ivory, using a good printer.
• Your resume is a statement of your professionalism that speaks for you in your absence.

Radiologic Specialties and Academic Degrees:

• Demand is increasing for radiologic technologists who have multispecialty capabilities.
• Specialties include: diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy technology, CT, angiography, MRI, quality management, interventional technology, mammography, and bone densitometry.
• Formal classes in person or online should be attended whenever possible.
• Information concerning advanced level, or post primary, exams is available from the ARRT.
• Visit the website of the professional organization associated with each specialty for specific educational, clinical, and credentialing requirements.
• Other specialties to be considered include radiography educator and imaging department administrator or manager.
• Academic degrees enhance career opportunities in every aspect of radiologic technology.

Continuing Education:

• Quality patient care dictates that you have the most current knowledge and skills needed to practice radiologic technology.
• Mandatory continuing education was established to ensure the continued competence of clinicians.
• States may have their own continuing education requirements.
• ARRT requires proof of 24 hours of continuing education activities every 2 years (known as a biennium).
• The continuing education requirement may be accomplished by documenting 24 hours of continuing education activities that have met the criteria established by the ARRT.
• Keep continuing education documents for at least 1 year beyond the biennium for possible ARRT audit.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

Goal Setting:

• A career choice is significant; focus on doing the things you particularly enjoy.
• Success in radiologic technology is based on setting goals and working hard to achieve them.
• Goal setting must be a priority throughout your working lifetime.
• Goals are not meant to be rigid and inflexible but alive and fluid.
• Goals should be realistic, measurable, and achievable.
• Approach goals incrementally; celebrate each achievement.
• Goals should be updated as needed and examined at least annually.
• Make goal statements specific and action oriented.
• Direct your energy toward achieving your goal within a specific time frame.
• Goals must be more than wishes; they must be a visualization of what you expect to achieve.
• Post your goals where you can see them daily, and share them with the people who are significant in your life.
• Shared goals are more likely to be met.
• Goal statements use the words “I will.”
• Setting goals should not be taken lightly, but it should not be a difficult task.

Career Planning Inventory:

• Examine your motivation for seeking employment and establishing a career in radiologic technology.
• Adjust your goals regularly.
• Being passionate about what you do is key to your longevity in the field.
• Identify people who have been particularly helpful to you in clinical education.
• Concentrate on positive people who enjoy working with patients and students.
• A true professional has the ability to summon the highest level of performance even during difficult times.
• Consider what your needs will be for employment when you graduate.
• It is important to ascertain your financial needs.
• Determine whether you will remain where you are or if you wish to, or will need to, relocate.
• Balancing high tech with high touch is key to quality patient care. Knowing your preference leads to your success.
• A thorough understanding of options in radiologic technology can assist with career goals.
• This profession needs your fresh ideas, observations, leadership, motivation, talents, and abilities.
• Consider professional involvement such as presenting at conferences, writing a research paper, constructing a scientific exhibit, or holding office in a professional organization.