ASMIRT represents health professionals who work in the area of Medical Radiation Science. The four disciplines are Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology and Ultrasound. An insight into the professions and what our members do is below.
Diagnostic Radiography uses both ionising and non-ionising radiation in the imaging process and the equipment used is some of the most sophisticated within medicine.
More than 27 million imaging services are performed each year in Australia making diagnostic imaging a major component of our health system.
A Diagnostic Radiographer/Medical Imaging Technologist is 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. Further information about the career can be viewed in our fact sheet.
Radiation Therapy is the treatment and management of cancer by radiation. Radiation Therapy plays a major role in the treatment of cancer patients, with up to a third of cancer patients receiving a course of radiation therapy. The modality offers a cure in many cases and relief of symptoms in others. Radiation Therapy may be used alone or with other treatments like surgery and chemotherapy (drug therapy). The ionising radiation used in the treatment of cancer is x-rays, gamma rays and electron beams.
A Radiation Therapist is a key member of the professional team that manages the cancer patient’s treatment. In conjunction with 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 accuracy and precision using highly sophisticated computer-controlled equipment. View more information about the career below.
The Nuclear Medicine Technology field employs Chemists, Nurses, Physicians, Physicists, Radiopharmacists, Technologists and other people 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. To understand more of what these varied professionals do, visit the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine.
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.
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 undertakes 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. For more information about a career as a sonographer visit the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry site below.
A career in Medical Radiation Science requires at minimum a relevant undergraduate qualification. A career in ultrasound can only be obtained through a post-graduate qualification.
Our education and employment section provides all the necessary information regarding study and entering the workforce.
