What is the function of dosimetry in radiology?

Dosimetric methods are used in radiology departments for a variety of purposes including the determination of patient dose levels to allow examinations to be optimized and to assist in decisions on the justification of examination choices.

What does the American College of radiology do?

The ACR is “The Voice of Radiology” in matters of legislation and regulation. Responsible for guiding radiology reimbursement and coding issues, including relative value units, managed care, alternative payment models, and Medicare regulations.

What does the acronym Alara mean?

As Low As Reasonably Achievable
Acronym for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable.” It means making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to ionizing radiation as far below the dose limits as practical.

What does a dosimetry do?

Dosimetrists are medical professionals who work in radiation oncology helping to care for cancer patients. Among their various job responsibilities, a dosimetrist has the important task of applying the appropriate dosage of radiation at the correct part of the body.

What is dosimetry used for?

Dosimetry is used extensively for radiation protection and is routinely applied to monitor occupational radiation workers, where irradiation is expected, or where radiation is unexpected, such as in the aftermath of the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl or Fukushima radiological release incidents.

Why is ALARA important in radiology?

The ALARA radiation safety principle is important since it can help prevent both unnecessary exposure and overexposure to ionizing radiation. There are three cardinal principles that anyone who works with radiation sources should follow to help keep radiation doses “as low as reasonably achievable”.

Is being a Dosimetrist a good job?

Strong Outlook The demand for medical dosimetrists grows every time a new cancer center opens, Reid says, making dosimetry a stable, well-compensated career. Medical dosimetrists earn average annual salaries of $79,500, according to a 2004 AAMD salary survey.