Who are the members of the radiology team?
The quality performance of radiology examinations and procedures, along with accurate and timely interpretation of radiology procedure results, is accomplished by a team of various healthcare professionals. The radiology team includes physicians, technologists, and nurses.
What do the radiology team members do?
- physicians
The radiology team is led by one or more radiologists, who are physicians specializing in the field of radiology. Radiologists are responsible for interpreting the results of examinations, performing interventional radiologic procedures, imaging, conferring and consulting with physicians in other specialties, and ensuring the overall quality performance of the entire radiology team.
- technologists
Radiologic technologists are responsible for performing most types of radiologic examinations, including x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, mammograms, and ultrasound procedures. Technologists receive formal training lasting from one to four years. In addition to training in the various radiology modalities, radiologic technology students also study human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and other pertinent subjects.
Once a radiologic technology student completes training in an approved training program, he/she may undergo additional study or training in order to specialize in a particular modality, such as CT scans or MRIs.
Radiology technologists are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
- nurses
Nurses often perform for more complex radiology procedures, such as interventional procedures requiring sedation of the patient, or procedures requiring intravenous (IV) administration of medications, contrast, and/or nuclear substances. Nurses assess and document patient status, confer with the radiologist for specific patient care needs, and provide educational information to patients related to their radiologic procedure.