EDUCATION
The Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy represents the disciplines of Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology and Ultrasound. The professionals who work in these specialised fields are called Diagnostic Radiographers/Medical Imaging Technologists, Radiation Therapists and Ultrasonograhers/Sonographers. Ultrasound is a postgraduate qualification gained after first obtaining a qualification in diagnostic radiography or similar approved course.
The four disciplines within the area of Medical Radiation Science are:
Diagnostic Radiography (Medical Imaging)
Diagnostic Radiography is the production of high quality images for the purpose of diagnosis of injury or disease. It is a pivotal aspect of medicine and a patient’s diagnosis and ultimate treatment is often dependent on the images produced. Diagnostic Radiography uses both ionising and non-ionising radiation in the imaging process. The equipment used is at the high end of technology and computerisation within medicine.
What does a Diagnostic Radiographer / Medical Imaging Technologist do?
A Diagnostic Radiographer/Medical Imaging Technologist is a key member of the health care team. They are responsible for producing high quality medical images that assist medical specialists and practitioners to describe, diagnose, monitor and treat a patient’s injury or illness. Much of the medical equipment used to gain the images is highly technical and involves state of the art computerisation. Read more
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy is a critical aspect of Radiation Oncology. Radiation Therapy is the treatment and management of cancer by radiation. The modality plays a major role in the treatment of cancer patients by offering a cure in many cases and relief of symptoms in others. Radiation Therapy may be used alone or with other treatment modalities like surgery and chemotherapy (drug therapy). The ionising radiation used in the treatment of cancer is x-rays, gamma rays and electron beams. Read more
What does a Radiation Therapist do?
A Radiation Therapist is a key member of the professional team that manages the cancer patient’s treatment. In conjunction with the Radiation Oncologists they are responsible for the design, accurate calculation and delivery of a prescribed radiation dose over a course of treatment to the patient. The Radiation Therapist utilises sophisticated imaging equipment and advanced computer systems to create a treatment plan to deliver the optimum dose to the tumour, specific to a particular patient and their diagnosis whilst minimising the dose delivered to healthy tissue. The Radiation Therapist will deliver the planned treatment with the same accuracy and precision using highly sophisticated computer-controlled equipment.
Nuclear Medicine Technology
The Nuclear Medicine Technology field employs Chemists, Nurses, Physicians, Physicists, Radiopharmacists, Technologists and others interested in the practice of Nuclear Medicine. It has close ties with other professional groups in Nuclear Medicine, most particularly, the Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists (AANMS) which represents all practising medical doctors. Radiologists, Cardiologists and Oncologists may also participate and be involved in this area of healthcare. Read more
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of organs, tissues and blood flow inside the body. Although many people refer to these examinations simply as ultrasound scans, when detailed ultrasound is used for medical investigation it is known as sonography. Sonography can be used to examine many parts of the body, making it useful for diagnosing a range of medical conditions.
What does a Sonographer do?
A diagnostic medical sonographer, or ultrasound technician, is a person who uses ultrasound machines to view and interpret images with sound waves for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. The sonographer directs high-frequency sound waves to the desired area of the patient’s body via the ultrasound equipment to create a clear image of the area for analysis and diagnostic purposes. One of the most common uses for ultrasound testing is in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, using ultrasound testing to view the foetus in the womb. The diagnostic medical sonographer also undetrtakes image interpretation, analysing test results from the ultrasound equipment. Calculations and measurements of the images are performed and presented to the physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Read more
Where Can I Study?
The list of Universities can be found here: https://www.asmirt.org/careers-and-employment
Return to Clinical Practice: Re-Entry back into the Workforce
The Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) on behalf of the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia are now administering and managing the return to work program (recency of practice). For more information please see their website.
Those wishing to hold ASMIRT membership while undertaking their return to work program, please complete the provisional membership application form.
For those who have completed a return to work program, hold general registration with AHPRA (with no supervision conditions) and wish to upgrade their membership, please contact membership@asmirt.org
