I can't blame most people for being devoid of what bring a radiographer really means, after all we are barely over 2000 in the country. So its safe to say they lack the inept knowledge and understanding. I hope this clears things up for u.

Diagnostic radiographers work mainly within the radiology and imaging depatments of hospitals but may also work in surgeries/clinics.

Radiology departments within hospitals normally include a number of sections encompassing a wide range of different imaging modalities e.g. ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine and, of course, x-rays. Diagnostic radiographers are able to undertake most investigations but may later specialise in one particular area.

Diagnostic radiographers use a range of imaging technology:

X-ray - looks through tissues to examine bones, cavities and foreign objectsFluoroscopy - images the digestive system providing a real-time image.CT (Computed Tomography) - which provides cross-sectional views (slices) of the bodyMRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - builds a 2D or 3D map of the different tissue types within the bodyUltrasound - well known for its use in obstetrics and gynaecology. Also used to check circulation and examine the heartAngiography - used to investigate blood vessels.A variety of settings

Diagnostic radiographers provide a service for most departments within the hospital including, accident and emergency, outpatients, operating theatres and wards. Close liaison and collaboration with a wide range of other health care professionals is therefore vital.

X-rays and ultrasound are just two of the imaging techniques used by diagnostic radiographers to look at injuries or disease, or monitor changes inside the body. While most diagnostic radiographers carry out a range of procedures, they may specialise in techniques such as computerised tomography scanning, or magnetic resonance imaging which uses magnetic field and radio frequency waves to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

Diagnostic radiography is a fast-moving and continually changing profession, and long-term career prospects include:

managementresearchclinical work teaching.Working as a therapeutic radiographer

Therapeutic radiographers are increasingly known as radiotherapy radiographers. They work closely withdoctors and nurses and other members of the oncology team to treat patients with cancer.

They deliver doses of X-rays and other ionising radiation to patients, most of whom are suffering from various forms of cancer. The aim of the treatment is to deliver an accurate dose of radiation to the tumour/cancer whilst minimising the dose received by the surrounding tissues. They establish where the area to be treated is located and work out the exact dosage required with doctors andmedical physicists.

Radiotherapy radiographers may be involved in the care of the cancer patient from the initial referral clinic stage, where pre-treatment information is given, through the planning process, treatment and eventually post-treatment review (follow-up) stages.

Sonography/ultrasonography

Ultrasound is used in various settings in a hospital, including abdominal scanning and breast ultrasound. Ultrasound imaging is the use of high frequency sound in excess of human hearing to produce images of structures of the human body that may be observed on a screen. These images may subsequently be transferred to photographic film, paper, video or a CD forming part of the patients' record of their examination.

There are no direct entry routes into ultrasound. Most sonographers train as a radiographer then undertake an approved post-registration course, offered by higher education institutions. The courses are a minimum of one academic year and prepare sonographers clinically and academically for practice. Normally a pre-requisite for acceptance is access to a clinical department with supervised practice for students.

Other NHS staff may also train in sonography, including some healthcare science staff working in vascular technology and cardiac physiology.