Radiologic Technologist

Radiographer’s Protection to Radiation

Safety Equipments

For the x-ray tech or radiographer, occupational radiation exposure is expected to occur through fluoroscopy or during mobile radiography (use of Portable x-ray machine). Consequently, particular care and attention should be applied during these examinations.
Protective suite and equipment’s should always be worn for both fluoroscopy and mobile radiographic procedures.

Lead Aprons use in Radiology

The perfect adequate thickness of lead aprons is 0.5-mm. Thicker than 0.5-mm may be too heavy for other technicians when performing in full fluoroscopic examinations. Every portable x-ray machine unit must have a protective apron allocated to it, and the lead apron must always remain within the unit after used at all times.

Equivalent Thickness of lead (Pb) and x-ray attenuations values (Lead Aprons)

Equivalent Thickness (mm Pb) / X-ray attenuation (%)

When 0.3 mm Pb (Thickness)
At 60 kVp = 99 %
At 80 kVp = 97 %
At 100 kVp = 94 %
At 120 kVp = 92 %

0.5 mm Pb Equivalent
60 kVp = 99%
80 kVp = 99%
100 kVp = 96%
120 kVp = 95%

1.0 mm Pb equivalent
60 kVp = 99%
80 kVp = 99%
100 kVp = 98%

Each Radiologic Technologist must be familiar with the Cardinal Principles of Radiation Protection. Namely: Time, Distance, and Shielding and ALARA.

Time – The time of exposure to a radiation source must be kept to a smallest.
Distance – The distance between the radiation source and the Technologist must be as farthest as possible.
Shielding – When proper and practically done, protective shielding must be placed between the radiation source and the X-ray Tech.
ALARA – Always retain radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

The major example of these principles take place during fluoroscopy. The highest exposure rate in fluoroscopic examination is in the area near to the table. Since the primary beam is radiated by the under table tube and intercepts the patient, the patient will turn into the radiation source due to scatter radiation.

The Radiologist must minimize the exposure time by triggering the foot or hand switch control discontinuously for minimum x-ray beam on time. The Radiologic Technologist can help by creating certain that the 5 minute fluoroscopic reset timer is running and is used cautiously. The Radiologic Technologist can minimize occupational exposure by stepping one step back from the edge of the fluoroscopic table when it is not totally needed to stay there. During fluoroscopy the Radiologist and Technologist should wear protective clothing, which is the most effective method for minimizing occupational radiation exposure.

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Jobs and Career

As imaging technology has now quickly developing, so has our identity. First we were called X-ray Operators, the Technicians, and now Radiologic Technologist or, more specific a Radiographers. A Radiologic Technologist can be a Radiographer, a nuclear medicine Technologist, or another imaging technologist as in the list:

Ultrasonographer
Nuclear-Medicine Technologist
Radiographer
Computed tomography technologist
Magnetic resonace imaging technologist
Interventional Technologist
Radiation Therapist

Ethics is term applied to a health professional’s good responsibility and the discipline of suitable conduct to other people around them. The effort of the medical experts needs strict rules of behavior. The doctor, who is accountable for the safety and care of the patients, depends on the absolute honesty and integrity of all health care professionals to convey out instructions and report errors.
The American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) developed the existing code of ethics. The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologist (CAMRT) has also implemented a similar code of ethics. All radiographers must familiarize themselves by these codes.