My wife is interested in this career, but was born with only one arm (she is missing it from the elbow down). Would she be able to do it? She's incredible, she can crochet! But can she do this? Thanks.

Hi -

I've worked with a lot of X-ray techs and think your wife might have trouble with the heavy-ish x-ray plates that are used with each x-ray taken. For some x-rays, the plates must be lifted and placed in a holder that is then positioned at the proper level for the patient's size and the body part to be x-rayed. For other types of x-rays, the plate is put into the x-ray table and the patient positioned as needed. For both situations, an overhead x-ray machine is positioned by the tech before the x_ray is taken.

If there is an x-ray department where you could ask a tech, you may get better information.

A similar field and perhaps more do-able is being an ultrasound technician. The machines are smaller and probably more easily handled. Other possible jobs are EKG technician or a telemetry technician (watches EKG moniters that are on heart patients in CCU).

Good luck to your wife! She's lucky to have you at her side!

Cheers! Barbara

I don't know if this helps but my daughter's boyfriend is missing half his arm and you would never know it. He can do everything anyone else does...except he has a hard time tying his shoes. He races motocross, rides 4-wheelers, works on cars and delivers tires at his job. By watching him I think it would be totally doable.

My question would be with the heavy lifting and moving of patients. Many patients feel like it is your duty to "get them up off the table" instead of getting up themselves. They expect you to do it. I have even had a patient to tell me "you are going to have to get me up" and I had to say, I'm sorry but I can only assist you, you must get up yourself. It's like it is almost instinctive for them to reach for your arm before they even attempt to get up. Then there are patients who aren't very mobile at all and you really do have to move them to the right place on the table.

I'm sure your wife could handle it but I hope she researches and chooses the area of radiology that will best suit her. Some places will allow you to "shadow" techs just to see what their work is all about before going into it.
This was actually a requirement before entering my radiology program.