Radiographer’s role

Q. I am looking to pursue a skill-based career that does not entail long or intensive study. Would a career in radiography fit the bill?. Could you please tell me what exactly it entails and suggest some relevant courses? Can I also do Radiology after class 12? — Aditya Nath

A. In simple terms, radiography is the science of taking images of the internal and hidden portions of the human body for the purpose of diagnosing diseases, injuries and ailments. This is done with the help of hi-tech equipment such as Ultrasound, CAT scan, MRI, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), X-ray etc. 

Without detailed images of what is happening inside the body, valuable time may be lost and treatment would not be as effective.

Besides preparing patients for the tests and operating the machines, your responsibilities may also include maintenance of equipment and patient records.

I presume you’ve taken science in school. In which case, a BSc in Radiography & Imaging Tech after Plus II or a one-year PG Diploma after BSc will qualify you for the job. To answer the last part of your question, while a radiographer is usually a diploma/bachelor’s degree holder as we’ve seen above, the radiologist has to qualify the MBBS degree and then specialise in radiology at the MD level.  

For posts in radiology, hospitals usually hire formally trained radiologists from accredited programmes including those in medical physics.