Radiography/Diagnostic Imaging

[Barry Egan]

Any of youse guys work in this field?  I'm about to go back to school for it and would love to chat with someone who already does it for a living.

[Bryan]

I do not work in this field, but for the last year I've been working in a lab that does a lot of brain imaging work, and I wound up spending a fair amount of time in the MRI facility. During that time, I asked one of the techs about the training.

He says it's mostly anatomy. If you can handle cramming that stuff into your brain, you'll probably be ok. I don't know what the stats on employment, etc. are, but I do know that EVERYONE in research these days wants to do MRI/fMRI.

When my friend did his training, years ago, it was specifically radiography. There was no dedicated course about MRI. That training occurred on the job. I bet most courses do devote some time to it these days, though, and if you have the option, I'd say you should probably do it.

I may be able to answer specific questions, or I may not. PM me if you'd like.

[Barry Egan]

Thanks for the info, Bryan.  Like for your friend, MRI training would come after I get my Radiography degree and a job. That way the hospital would pay for it, and I'd have more time to decide on a focus.

I'll certainly look into it when the time comes.  It seems relatively cushy compared to the other specialties, though of course I know nothing at this point.  

I'm not able to start the 2-year Radiography program until September 2011, so until then I'll be taking prerequisites, including two semesters of anatomy and physiology.  
I need to ace those to have any chance of getting into the degree program.  We'll see how it goes.  

Does your friend seem to enjoy his job?

[erika]

When my husband got hurt, and when I had a back condition as a child, I saw a lot of radiologists. They always seemed very pleasant! Especially compared to the grumpy secretaries/billing clerks

[AllisonLeGnome]

I don't know what the stats on employment, etc. are, but I do know that EVERYONE in research these days wants to do MRI/fMRI.

Hey, I seem to be becoming an ERP/EEG person! It's all about the temporal resolution.

[yesno]

This is new.

Anyway, I think you need a tricorder.

[Sarah]

How stupid I am:  I've always heard that as "triquarter."  "Tricorder" makes much more sense.

[Christina]

How stupid I am:  I've always heard that as "triquarter."  "Tricorder" makes much more sense.

yabbut you're more of a Dr Who nerd, right?

[Sarah]

Yes, but I've watched plenty of Star Trek in my day.  Hell, I saw the original first run, for crying out loud.  Which might account for the mistake, come to think of it:  eight/nine-year-old me heard "triquarter," and that's what stuck, regardless of how little sense it made.

[Bryan]

Does your friend seem to enjoy his job?

Yeah, it seems like a pretty interesting gig. I guess it all depends on where you wind up working, but the work itself seems reasonably pleasant, and useful too.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

I do not work in this field, but for the last year I've been working in a lab that does a lot of brain imaging work, and I wound up spending a fair amount of time in the MRI facility. During that time, I asked one of the techs about the training.

Bryan, is this how you scanned your head into the FOT Pictures of Yourself thread? 


BE, i am also thinking of going into this field but will not be starting school until Fall 2011.  i've got prerequisites but i might want to make myself miserable and cram it all in at the same time.  anyway, i'm glad you started this thread...now get out of my brain.

[Bryan]

Bryan, is this how you scanned your head into the FOT Pictures of Yourself thread?  

Yes, my job allows me access to all kinds of mad science. The scan you're referring to was done with a 3D scanner, but not something that would be typically used for diagnostic imaging, as far as I know. It's more like a regular flatbed laser scanner, but rigged up so it rotates 360 degrees around the item being scanned.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

Bryan, is this how you scanned your head into the FOT Pictures of Yourself thread?  

Yes, my job allows me access to all kinds of mad science. The scan you're referring to was done with a 3D scanner, but not something that would be typically used for diagnostic imaging, as far as I know. It's more like a regular flatbed laser scanner, but rigged up so it rotates 360 degrees around the item being scanned.

...like that perfectly chiseled jawline of yours?

[Josh]

Bryan, is this how you scanned your head into the FOT Pictures of Yourself thread? 

You guys are into that kinda shit? Ok...

[iAmBaronVonTito]

"wrong thread, dude!"