Radiology Forums

RhondaMichelle · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Lake Mary, FL

I am doing a search for a career in healthcare, but I hate needles Shocked

... Can anyone tell me if Rad Techs have to use needles on patients? If so is there any specialty with Radiology that does not?

Do they make you draw blood in school for the degree?

Embarassed

-Rhonda

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 609 Location: CT

Some Radiographers use needles, others do not. It depends on several things - whether or not you've had training to use them, whether or not your state permits Radiographers to use them, whether or not your facility permits Radiographers to use them and what procedures you're perfoming.

An IVP is the name of a commonly performed procedure which evaluates anatomy and function of the urinary system. A radiographic contrast agent (commonly called a 'dye', which is is not - it is clear) is injected, typically into the patient's arm.

Early in my career (early '80's), it was not uncommon for us to perform that injection ourselves. (Things were very different then than now.) But states now have rules about that kind of thing, and starting IV's and injecting material is most frequently done by Radiographers in Nuclear Medicine and CT.

hjh, RT

fabnoble · Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 6

I'm a CT tech and I'm also IV certified. I have to start IV's on patients and then inject contrast. At first it bothered me but I'm so used to it now that I actually really enjoy it.

Good luck to you.

FN

Sidney · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 53

IMO, if you are basing your career choice on what areas of healthcare doesn't use needles, then perhaps healthcare isn't for you. I can't really think of any direct care areas that don't have something to do with needles.

With that said, a diagnostic Rad Tech shouldn't really have to start IV's or give injections. Some places might have the tech push the contrast through the catheter once someone else has started the IV. When you get into the more specialized areas, that's where the techs will have to learn to start them.