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MEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS RADIOGRAPHY AND WHO IS RADIOGRAPHER?
Radiography, or more specifically medical radiography, is the art and science of using radiation to provide images of tissues, organs, bones and vessels that comprise the human body. There are two kinds of radiography: Diagnostic radiography, which is the use of radiation to investigate a patient’s illness or injury, and; Therapeutic radiography, which is the use of various kinds of radiation to treat an illness or injury.
Radiographers are healthcare professionals that use radiation for diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases. They are responsible for producing many of the diagnostic images of the patient that radiologists or clinicians use to diagnose patient conditions.
Radiologists are medical doctors who have had special training in interpreting diagnostic images. Radiology is not discussed in this article.
WHERE DO RADIOGRAPHERS WORK?
Radiographers mainly work for hospitals both public and private, under the imaging or radiology departments. Here, work involves the use of the radiologic machinery and imaging modalities that include x-ray, mammography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), angiography, fluoroscopy, and ultrasound in order to produce diagnostic images of patients’ internal organs.
Aside from hospitals, radiographers may also find employment with the health professionals council of Zambia (HPCZ) or the radiation protection authority (RPA) working as inspectors.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
An ordinary work day for a radiographer working in a hospital involves carrying out examinations such as chest x-rays, forearm x-rays, and obstetric ultrasounds. On certain days, they also conduct special exams such as hysterosalpingography (HSG), urethrography, barium studies and intravenous urography (IVU). These investigations are mainly useful in assessing the patency of hollow organs and tubes. There is limited availability of CT and MRI in Zambia but if working in a place where these are available, a radiographer is expected to carry out such exams. Radiographers are also responsible for radiation safety and checking equipment for any malfunctions.
Due to the absence of radiologists in most Zambian hospitals, radiographers may also do interpretation of images or film reporting, though this should normally be a job for a radiologist.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A RADIOGRAPHER?
Radiographers in government hospitals work in shifts. Depending on the level of staffing, this could either be in three shifts (morning, afternoon and night) or simply two (day shift and night shift), one shift per day. Radiology and imaging departments are open on every day of the week, including public holidays. Due to continual exposure to radiation, radiographers are periodically given a radiation break lasting a month after which they can return to work.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Government is the major employer of radiographers in Zambia. Due to the limited number of positions for radiographers in hospitals, the job market is competitive. Even while that is the case, the health sector is ever growing and there are a good number of hospitals, both public and private, that are being opened. A graduate will therefore eventually come across employment opportunities.
SALARY RANGES AND WHAT CONTROLS IT
Salaries for radio-techs (diploma holders) are around 6,000zmw and those for radiographers (degree holders) are around 9,000zmw. Promotion to senior roles such as chief or principal radiographer comes with higher pay, roughly above 10,000zmw.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
From secondary school, someone wishing to study radiography must have an interest in physics and biology. As with all other healthcare professionals, radiographers should have good interpersonal skills. This is because they work very closely with patients many of whom are seriously ill or injured and are distressed about medical exams. They need to be able to earn their patients’ trust and put them at ease before conducting the exam. Radiographers must also have a passion for technology and be highly adaptable to emerging advances in imaging techniques. To enjoy work, a radiographer should have sharp analytical skills and a desire to help others.
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WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
Some of the subjects covered during training are human anatomy and physiology, pathology, imaging technique, imaging equipment and radiation protection. Degree programs start with one year of A’ levels in the natural sciences; mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Minimum entry requirements for grade 12 school leavers are 5 O’ level credits inclusive of Mathematics, Science and English. Cut-off points vary from institution to institution but are generally higher in universities. Diploma holders in radiography can be admitted to the degree program and be exempted from the initial years of study.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A RADIOGRAPHER?
Aside from radiography, someone who wants to work in medical imaging can opt to study other radiography-based programmes such as ultrasound or nuclear medicine. Holders of such qualifications have more expertise in one particular imaging modality unlike radiography which is more general.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Diploma holders can upgrade to a bachelor’s degree in radiography where they may be exempted from some years of study. The degree holder can study for a Master of medicine in Radiography and subsequently a PhD. Alternatively, diploma holders can enrol into a bachelor’s degree program that focuses on one particular imaging modality such as Ultrasound and the same applies for bachelor’s degree holders who can as well do a master’s in one particular field. Upgrading of qualifications better positions a person to be promoted to senior positions and also gives an upper hand in the job market. With a master’s, one can also venture into academics and work as a lecturer.
References
Fairford Medical, 2018. The Qualities Every Leading Radiographer Needs. [Online] Available at: https://www.fairfordmedical.com/News/ArtMID/508/ArticleID/9121/The-qualities-every-leading-radiographer-needs
[Accessed 2021].
UCAS, 2021. Radiography and Medical Technology. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/radiography-and-medical-technology
[Accessed 2021].
University of Zambia, 2018. Bachelor of Science in Radiography. [Online]
Available at: https://www.unza.zm/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-radiography-diagnostic/therapeutic
[Accessed 2021].
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER RADIOGRAPHY
UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Natural Sciences
Intakes: January (only)
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +26 0211 252641
E-mail: dean-medicine@unza.zm
Website: www.unza.zm/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-radiography-diagnostic/therapeutic
LEVY MWANAWASA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Health Sciences
Intakes: January (only)
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 974 330519 / +260 953 821693
Email: info@lmmu.ac.zm
Website: www.lmmu.ac.zm/levy-mwanawasa-medical-university-fees-structure
LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: Faculty of Pre-Medical Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Email: happy.mtonga@lamu.edu.zm
Tel: +260 979 927901 / +260 974 137203
Website: www.lamu.edu.zm/academic-fees
EVELYN HONE COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Health and Applied Sciences
Intakes: January (only)
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 227752 / +260 211 220208
Email: emwansa@evelynhone.edu.zm
Website: www.evelynhone.edu.zm/academic-fees/