Careers in Radiography

Radiography is a modern medical technology used to diagnose the ailment and diseases of the internal parts of the body using X-ray, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, CTscan, MRI, Angiography and PET technologies. It helps in getting a detailed image of internal body parts and their functioning. By using this, a doctor can easily diagnose the disease and can suggest effective treatment procedure. There are two types of radiography: diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic radiography is concerned with operating radio imaging machines and interpreting results. But therapeutic radiography involves treatment of cancers, ulcer and tumors with the help of radiation technology.

Course Details
One year certificate course and two years diploma course are offered in radiography. Besides the above courses, B.Sc degree in Radiography is also offered by some institutes. For admission into degree courses, minimum qualification is 10+2 pass in science with mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Career Prospects
The need for professionals in the field of radiography is increasing day by day. As more and more sophisticated machines are coming up in health care sector there is an increase in the need of radiographers. Thus there are multiple employment opportunities for radiographers in India and abroad. They are required in government as well as private hospitals. Besides, private nursing homes, diagnostic centers and super specialty hospitals are preferred place for radiographers. Self-employment opportunities are also available in this field. They can open their own diagnostic centers. Highly qualified can teach in medical colleges and institutes. Research activity options are also available to radiographers. Indian radiographers are in high demand in abroad particularly in Western European countries, USA and Gulf countries.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
To cope with increasing demand of radiographers in India and abroad, several medical colleges offer courses in radiography. Some well-known names are: Dr. M.V. Shetty Institute Of health Science, Mangalore; Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College Hospital, Bangalore; University College Of Medical Sciences (University Of Delhi) & G.T.B Hospital, Delhi; Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation, Ludhiana; All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh; Gandhi Hospital, Secundrabad; General Hospital, Udaipur; Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla and King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam.

Remuneration
Radiographers working in government hospitals can earn somewhere between Rs 8,000-12,000 per month. Private hospitals and clinics offer more lucrative pay packages to radiographers. There are huge demands of Indian radiographers in abroad. They offer high pay packages along with many fringe benefits.