Behind the Scenes – Radiologic Technologist

Seeing Inside You – The Radiologic Technologist

Boundary Community Hospital has a reputation for quality and excellence in providing superb diagnostic imaging, thoughtful patient care and professional radiological interpretations. It is the highly-skilled, well-trained team of Radiologic Technologists that bring their expertise and patient-centric focus to ensure that Boundary County benefits from this major investment at the hospital. Our caring team continues to upgrade their certifications so that as new equipment is purchased, their skills stay cutting edge and they maintain the highest level of care.

The Radiologic Technologists have regular office hours during the week and are on call 24/7 so that they can respond in an emergency and get you the tests you need right away. The most common tests performed by the Radiologic Technologists include Digital Radiography and Computerized Tomography (CT).

Digital Radiography is a form of X-ray imaging, where digital X-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Advantages include time efficiency through bypassing chemical processing and the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images. Also, less radiation can be used to produce an image of similar contrast to conventional radiography.

Computerized Tomography (CT) combines a specialized x-ray machine and a computer to produce images one slice at a time, like a spiral ham. The scan, completed while you lie on a table, is performed by a Radiologic Technologist from an adjoining room who you will communicate with through a speaker system. The procedure is painless and usually takes about thirty minutes. Once your scan is finished, the Technologist presents the cross-sectional, multi-dimensional images to the Radiologist for interpretation. Our Technologists are busy studying to get their certifications so that they are ready for the new 64 Slice CT Scanner coming this summer. This new technology CT Scanner will provide better, finer images for more accurate diagnoses.

Board-certified Specialists provide expertise in special equipment used in several diagnostic situations.

Ultrasound – Board-certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers with Certifications in OB/GYN, Abdominal, Breast and Vascular Imaging, the experienced Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, or Ultrasonographer, manages the state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment used to examine the fetus during pregnancy, visualize certain gynecological functions in non-pregnant women, reveal information about tumors and cysts, evaluate the gallbladder and related organs, and for noninvasive evaluation of vascular disease.
Mammography – Board-certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists with advanced certification in Mammography, our experienced Radiologic Technologist performs mammograms by appointment only. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. A diagnostic mammogram is used to diagnose breast disease in women, and occasionally men, who have breast symptoms or an abnormal result on a screening mammogram. Screening mammograms are used to look for breast disease in women who are asymptomatic; that is, those who appear to have no breast problems.
MRI – When the Mobile MRI rolls into place on Thursdays at the hospital, it comes with a Radiologic Technologist that specializes in magnetic resonance imaging. This non-invasive, revolutionary process enables doctors to “see” right through bone as well as evaluate soft tissue inside your body, without surgery and without the radiation that is used in x-rays and CT scans.

Boundary Community Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Department is 100% digital and fully integrated with Kootenai Health, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Deaconess Medical Center, Bonner General Hospital, Benewah Community Hospital and Shoshone Medical Center through The Northwest Hospital Alliance Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) so that our images and reports can be shared and viewed with other facilities and your physician. This system eliminates the use of hard copy x-rays, making faster image interpretation and more accurate diagnoses possible.

At Boundary Community Hospital, our goal is to provide the community with timely modern radiology services that are second to none. You can expect fast and friendly service from the moment you schedule your exam to the moment your physician receives the results. Your health is important to you, and so is your time.

Boundary Community Hospital salutes the Diagnostic Imaging team of Radiologic Technologists and thanks them for their excellent service, attention to detail, thoroughness, and compassionate care they provide to their patients.