Degree in Medical Imaging Science

People, who are working in the field of medical imaging science to help doctors diagnose illness and disease, are trained to use sophisticated equipment. These people can work in imaging centers, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and clinics. Experienced technicians can advance to positions as administrators, teachers, or supervisors.

Medical Imaging Science

Medical imaging science involves the application of a wide range of procedures which can use:

Radioisotopes (nuclear medicine)
X-rays (radiography and computer tomography)
Magnetic fields (magnetic resonance imaging)
Ultrasound (sonography)

as kinds of radiation in order to produce images. With a help of these images and procedures, the functions and structure of various body systems are being displayed and a diagnosis of the injury or illness determined. Said course provides a balance between the human/patient factors and use of sophisticated imaging systems.

You may be attracted to the field of medical imaging science if you have an interest in science and are very comfortable using technology. Good people skills and a degree of empathy are required, since this type of work includes a lot of patient contact under what may be quite difficult circumstances.

Programs in Medical Imaging Science

Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Science – Grand Canyon University
Master of Science in Imaging Science – Rochester Institute of Technology
Associate of Occupational Science in Radiography – Pima Medical Institute

Medical Imaging Science students will be trained to use these imaging systems:

Courses in Medical Imaging Science Program

Radiation Biology & Protection
Professional And Technical Writing
Fundamentals of Imaging
Abdominal Ultrasound
Pathology
Foundations of Professional Communication
Health Care Ethics

You may also want to consider pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Radiation Therapy, if you are comfortable treating people suffering from serious illnesses and using the latest technology appeals to you and working with patients. Graduates from this program also usually work with cancer patients of all ages. Not only do they use x-rays to determine the area to be treated, but they are at the same time responsible for calculating the correct dose of radiation for each person.

You will need to complete a police criminal record screening check and a Senior First Aid Certificate before you undertake a clinical medical imaging placement.

Participation in laboratory classes is obligatory and requires you to independently use manual skills to manipulate and lift imaging equipment and position patients and fellow students for different imaging examinations. You also have to act as mock patients for other students and as subjects for your peer group and fully participate in laboratory practical sessions.

BS in Medical Imagine Science

One of the degree options you have to get, as an ultrasound tech, is a Bachelor of Science (BS) in the field of medical imagine science. This career choice will allow you to get started working with just on-the-job training, though a majority of employers require their ultrasound techs to have at least an associate’s degree in a related field, for example, such as medical assisting or allied health; and many others require a bachelor’s degree or even more. It’s a very competitive job market, because getting a bachelor’s degree is one of the ways you can stand out in an ocean of other candidates for your job.

Getting a degree in the field of medical imaging science generally takes about four years. You may want to consider becoming a part-time student, if you already are working as an ultrasound tech. It allows you to earn your degree on a more flexible schedule, especially if you take classes online, but this takes a longer time. Whether you go to school as part of a program at a typical campus college or through a distance learning program, your education will very likely include clinical hours and both classroom learning.

Every bachelor study in the medical imaging science program is a little bit different from others, though the skills you will learn all serve to one goal, to provide, through medical imaging, better patient care. Some of the skills you will learn are covering such areas as:

Communications
Basic anatomy
Medical technology
Reading patient charts
Recording patient information
Maintaining and using medical imagine equipment
Medical terminology
Ethics and law.

You may also have to take some classes, which cover general office tasks, for example, such as scheduling patients appointments, along with management and administration classes.