Davin Healthcare brings caregivers from all different specialties to help staff hospitals across the country. To bring awareness to these specialties, we’re going to bring you a reoccurring series highlighting some of these specialties.
For the first edition, we’re highlighting Medical Technologists, Respiratory Therapists, and Computed Tomography Technologists. Let’s dive deeper…
Medical Technologists
Everyone has had their blood drawn at one time in their life. Gotten swabbed, scraped, and even given samples of various fluids. Those fluids you give over are then sent to Medical Technologists, also known as Med Techs. They are the specialists that work in the labs conducting tests on those samples.
While they work in various labs, Med Techs have areas in which they concentrate. Some of those areas are Forensic Pathology, Microbiology, Clinical Pathology, Immunology, Hematology, and many, many more.
Med Techs need at least a bachelor’s degree in applicable fields and, in certain states, must acquire additional certifications, but it is the perfect field for someone who bugged their parents for a microscope growing up.
Respiratory Therapists
It comes as no surprise to every human being that breathing is important. Without it, we’d cease to exist. Breathing comes naturally, but there are people who, because of illnesses or situations, struggle to breathe. That is where Respiratory Therapists come in.
Respiratory Therapists work with patients from emergency all the way to chronic care. They care for all ages, even playing an important role in caring for premature babies. Their focus is to keep everyone breathing comfortably. This can be as invasive as putting a patient on a ventilator, either through the mouth or the trachea, or therapeutic through chest percussion (vibrating a rib cage to stimulate coughing). Their range of care is great, and their work is important.
Respiratory Therapists are an important part of the clinical team as a vital resource and support person for any breathing-related matter. Nurses call on Respiratory Therapists for assistance when a patient is in respiratory distress or may request their expertise when a patient begins to deviate from their baseline.
To become a Respiratory Therapist, you need at least an associate’s degree along with the proper certifications (though you can further your knowledge through a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree). You also need good problem-solving skills and a compassionate heart.
Computed Tomography Technologist
With each advancement in technology, doctors can more accurately identify the cause of someone’s illness or malady. The X-ray allows us to see inside the human body without cutting it open. Non-invasive scanning took an even greater leap with computed tomography equipment (also known as a CT scan).
It is this device that Computed Tomography Technologists (CT Techs) assist with and operate. They care for the patients before, during, and after the scan, answering any questions, ensuring the safety of the patient, and helping with interpreting the scans. Their work can help to identify tumors, embolisms, clots, and other abnormalities that can put a patient's life at risk. Early detection of these issues can save a life.
CT Techs must earn an associate’s degree in either radiologic technology or nuclear medicine technology and obtain ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) certification and registration in CT before stepping into the role. A perfect fit is someone who is not afraid of technology, is attuned to details, and is able to help lift patients onto the scanner.
Healthcare is like a puzzle and having all the pieces is key to success. These are just three of the many pieces that keep patients informed and healthy. Over the rest of the series, we’ll put the rest of the puzzle together.
If you are interested in finding a position in your specialty, head over to our Open Needs page, or if you’d like to get the application process started, fill out the form below. Together, we can care for the future of healthcare.