Where can a radiographer work in Nigeria

Radiographer is a medical professional who has learned the art of operating quality imaging machines, using them to obtain images of internal structures such as X-rays and other medical images in the body to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases and injuries.

They are also known as medical imaging technologists. A radiographer does your scan. Radiographers present images obtained from electromagnetic waves to the Radiologist who then interprets them perfectly and makes a diagnosis.

This is called diagnostic radiology. A radiographer in Nigeria is a practitioner with a degree in medical radiography with certification from the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN).

To become a Radiographer in Nigeria today, one has to go through university and get a degree in Radiography.

Duties of a Radiographer

A radiographer’s Responsibilities include

  • Helping oncologists with radiation treatment for cancer patients
  • Preparing patients for radiologic procedures
  • Maintaining imaging equipment
  • Ensuring that safety protocols are being followed
  • Helping surgeons, such as with imaging during complicated procedures

Tools used by a radiographer

Radiographers may use tools and procedures such as:

  • CT scanners
  • Fluoroscopies
  • MRIs
  • PET scanners
  • Radiotherapy
  • Ultrasounds
  • X-rays

Reason why you need a radiographer

You may need to see a radiographer for medical imaging if you:

  • Have a broken bone
  • Have a blocked artery or other vessels
  • Have a foreign object in your body
  • May have a tumor or cancer
  • Are pregnant
  • Tear a muscle
  • You’ll most likely see a radiographer after a recommendation from another doctor, which may be your primary care doctor or a specialist like an orthopedist.
Where can a radiographer work in Nigeria
Where can a radiographer work in Nigeria

Skills of a Radiographer

These are the basic skills required of a Radiographer in order to be successful and attain the anticipated satisfaction from Radiography.

1. Compassion

As a Medical radiographer or someone aspiring to be one, you must possess or inculcate the habit of having compassion, especially for patients and those entrusted under your care.

Compassion simply means that you are able to have sympathy and pity for the suffering of patients you meet daily.

2. Self-discipline

The ability to keep yourself in check is necessary for this field.  You must be disciplined enough to dedicate long hours of study daily if you will become a medical radiographer in Nigeria.

3. Ability to learn and work under pressure, or stress

Being a radiographer requires a lot of patience and the ability to keep your cool even under pressure or stress. It requires patience, persistence, and the ability to cope with stress, especially in a place like Nigeria.

4. Good observation and communication skills

Radiographers are the eyes of modern Medicine. So, to be a successful Radiographer, then your observation skills must be top-notch.

You should also practice efficient communication as you will keep interacting with colleagues, Seniors, and even more importantly; the patients.

5. Time management skills

Studying Radiography in Nigeria is not an easy task. Doing the right thing at the right time, being at the right place with colleagues at the right time, and as well as finding extra time for your personal studies and other activities.

It is quite stressful, but obviously, it is worth it in the end.

6. Endurance and tolerance

A Radiographer stands a lot and is exposed to varying levels of stress. So being able to endure this stress and the ability to stand for long Is a major for a radiographer.

Tolerance is the ability to accommodate different people with different orientations, thought patterns, and exposures, you must learn to tolerate one another if patient care delivery will ever be efficient.

7. Team spirit

The ability to relate and work constructively with the people you work with directly in your team; including fellow Radiographers to ensure excellent patient care delivery is key.

Where can a radiographer work in Nigeria
Where can a radiographer work in Nigeria

Where can a radiographer work in Nigeria

Medical Radiographers work in the Radiology Department of the following types of hospitals:

  • Specialist Hospitals
  • Teaching Hospitals
  • Health Clinics
  • General Hospitals
  • Industries
  • Multinational Companies
  • Civil Service
  • Medical radiography offers you the opportunity of being self-employed by opening a diagnostic center.

Conclusion

The role of the radiographer is indispensable in the medical world. Diagnosis of the world’s leading ailment will not be possible without medical imaging.

Besides a medical center’s radiology department, radiologic technologists can work in areas like surgery, the emergency room, cardiac care, intensive care, and patient rooms. So as a Nigerian, there are so many places you can work as a radiographer.

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