What is a Diagnostic Imaging Manager? If you are interested in working in the healthcare field, it is important to review some of the roles and responsibilities of professionals in the field so that you can choose the best possible occupation. Professionals in diagnostic imaging are involved in providing services to patients in radiology, nuclear medicine and other related departments. They play an important role in the diagnosis of patients and planning the treatment process.
What Are the Common Duties of a Diagnostic Imaging Manager?
In a general sense, a Diagnostic Imaging Manager is responsible for for administering all of non-physician aspects of imaging services within the Diagnostic Imaging Department. Managers have several different duties depending on the size of the medical facility and the size of the department. In a single day, a manager in Diagnostic Imaging may implement and evaluate departmental goals, plan the implementation of new policies and train and supervise clinical and technical staff.
Diagnostic Imaging Managers oversee the department to ensure that procedures and policies meet the standards of accreditation bodies. The manager may prepare cost estimates and budget recommendations while monitoring the expenditures of the department. It is also common for a manager to negotiate with outside vendors for the best possible contracts. In a supervisory role, the manager selects, trains, evaluates and oversees the staff members. It is also common for a manager to complete scheduling of staff and to approve all of the payroll documents that are submitted within the department.
Related Resource: Chief Nursing Officer
How to Meet the Qualifications to Become a Manager?
The medical field is growing, but as demand gets higher so does the supply of professionals graduating with health-related degrees. If you are interested in becoming a leading professional within Diagnostic Imaging, it is important to complete a formal education program so that you can earn your certification with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and then gain professional experience. To meet the organizations certification requirements, students must first successfully complete an educational program that is accredited by a school approved by the ARRT.
After graduating from an accredited educational program that is approved by the ARRT, you will need to pass an examination that assesses your knowledge and cognitive skills. If you pass the examination, you can then work as a technologist, so that you can gain field related experience. While the amount of experience that is needed to become a manager can vary, in most cases professionals have five years of experience within the field before they are promoted to a supervisory role.
As the need for medical services continues to grow as the population of baby boomers grows, the need for diagnostic imaging specialists will grow proportionately. You will need to consider a variety of factors, including salary ranges and stability in the field, before you can decide which career path is best for you. Once you compare the job profile and the roles and responsibilities of managers with those of other occupations, you can make a well-informed and well-researched choice.