People you will meet

These are the people that you and your child are likely to meet when getting any of the Medical Imaging procedures done. Although you might not meet all of these people during your visit, they are available to guide you through all the possible Medical Imaging procedures that are available at Children's Memorial Hospital.

• The Child Life specialists are trained professionals who work collaboratively with the medical imaging team to help prepare and educate patients and families. They use picture books, medical play and developmental appropriate language to explain medical imaging exams. The specialists explain to children and their caregivers what they will experience during these procedures. To speak with a child life specialist, call the referral line at 773.880.4000, extension 2060.

• The Hospitalists are the doctors who specialize in sedating patients. They will discuss the different sedations with you and answer any questions that you have. They supervise the medical imaging sedation nurses as they sedate your child.

• The Medical Imaging Sedation Nurses work with the hospitalists to safely sedate your child for many different procedures. They will ask many questions about your child's health and medical history before the exam. They also monitor vital signs and administer contrast.
• The Radiologists are the doctors who interpret your child's images. They are board certified and specialize in pediatric imaging. They give the technologists a protocol based on your doctor's order, your child's medical history and current symptoms. After they have made their report regarding the exam, it is automatically faxed to your doctor.
• The Sonographer is a specially trained professional to perform special techniques and is Board certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). They work under direction and supervision of the Radiologist. At the end of an exam the Sonographer checks all the images with the Radiologist in the reading room and sometimes the Radiologists likes to come and scan your child personally so they can give a better results for an ordering physicians.
• The Technologists are licensed professionals who have completed formal education and training. Technologists are specialized in many fields, including X-Ray, CT, MRI, interventional radiology, ultrasound and nuclear medicine. The technologist is the one who will position your child and control the computer that takes the images, according to the radiologist's protocol. The technologists are on staff around the clock and hold credentials with the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists), ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) and CNMT (Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologists). The state of Illinois also requires that all radiation workers hold an active license with the IDNS (Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety).

Related glossary terms

• radiologist