![]() ![]() ![]() Garcia, MS, CRT, ARRT-RT(R)(CT), Instructor/Clinical Coordinator for the Radiologic Sciences Department at City College of San Francisco, says she is not sure repetitive stress injuries can be avoided knowing the nature of the job, but she emphasizes that they can be reduced by not under-staffing the radiology department and hiring technologist assistants to aid in the lifting and other non-imaging duties. In order to reduce the risk for injuries in the workplace, radiology departments and radiology equipment manufacturers should collaborate on improving ergonomics of patient transfer and imaging equipment.ĭiane R. This is common for all health care professions that provide direct patient care. Interestingly, Rath says the most common workplace injuries for radiologic technologists are lower back pain and injuries from lifting patients and working on their feet all day. ![]() In accordance with federal law, radiologic technologists must be monitored for radiation exposure, and they are not to receive any more radiation than the annual maximum permissible occupational dose set by the federal government. “Almost every clinical setting must provide OSHA training for infection control as part of an accreditation requirement and federal law,” he says, “the associated risks from occupational exposure to radiation is one of the lesser risks to R.T.s.” Another risk is working around patients and the associated risk for blood-borne pathogen infection. However, he says statistically, one of the riskiest aspects of the job is driving to and from work. Rath says there are several potential risks involved in providing medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. Radiologic technologists have the same responsibility to protect the patient, staff and themselves from harm and potential risks.Īccording to ASRT’s Practice Standards Program Manager Peter Rath, M.P.A., R.T.(R)., workforce safety is a concern for R.T.s, but not necessarily an “issue.” Most facilities have quality assurance programs promoting safe work practices in adherence with federal, state and local rules and regulations. In addition to maintaining radiation safety for patients, staff and themselves, radiologic technologists encounter many of the same safety concerns as physicians, nurses, specialists, and other health care providers. Radiologic technologists must navigate the associated risks of providing health care services to patients in many different environments such as hospitals, imaging centers, urgent care clinics and private practice medical offices. The conversation includes safety with radiation exposure to ergonomics. Workplace safety for radiology technologists is an important area of discussion for many. ![]()
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