Would you like to detect medical challenges through x-ray examination and scans? Then, Radiology Technologist: its job description, salary and career path is for you.
So, the World Scholarship Forum brings all the information you need to tow this career path. This post provides answers in detail on who radiology technicians are, x-ray technicians’ salary, job description, and where they work.
Actually, Radiologic technologists are healthcare professionals. They play a huge role in disease management. In fact, they give physicians more options, tools, techniques for detection and treatment of diseases.
Basically, they help doctors save more lives because early diagnosis of any ailment increases the chance of survival.
Table of contents
- Who are Radiologic Technicians?
- What is a Radiologic Technologist Job Description?
- Where does Radiologic Technologist work?
- How can I become a Radiologic Technologist?
- Where do I Get a Radiologic Technologist Degree?
- How much will I earn as a Radiologic Technologist?
- What skills do you need to be a radiologist technician?
- Conclusion
- Radiologic Technologist FAQs
- References
- Recommendation
Who are Radiologic Technicians?
Radiologic technologists are health care technicians who produce images of tissues, organs, bones, and vessels to detect ailments and diseases.
Basically, radiologic technicians perform diagnostic imaging procedures such as X-ray examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and computed tomography scans.
In addition, these professional x-ray technicians work hand in hand with radiologists and physicians who interpret medical images to either diagnose or rule out disease or injury.
Therefore, as the population grows older, medical conditions such as breaks and fractures caused osteoporosis is expected to increase and may need imaging to diagnose them.
Currently, the employability rate is projected to grow by 21 per cent from 2012 to 2024.
What is a Radiologic Technologist Job Description?
Mainly, radiologic technician job description entails accurately positioning patients and ensuring that a quality diagnostic image is produced.
Also, the radiologic technologist takes radiographic images of specific parts of the patient’s body that a physician needs to make a diagnosis.
In fact, the radiologic technologist must gather high-quality images and data. They recognize a clear, high-quality image versus one that is not.
In addition, X-ray technicians must be able to answer simple questions that patients may have about the procedure. They also help patients prepare for the procedure.
Furthermore, a radiology x-ray technician duties on a typical work-day is below:
Finally, he is expected to carry out x-ray technician duties on several patients a day. Consequently, a radiology technician must be detailed-oriented and physically fit.
Also, they should have good knowledge of mechanical and scientific skills so they can manage equipment on patients.
Where does Radiologic Technologist work?
Majorly, people who choose a radiologic technician career path because they want an interesting career and also where they can help people.
Basically, from hospitals to outpatient centers radiologic technicians are in demand. This environment allows you to execute this task and help people survive ailments and diseases.
An X-ray technician can work in one of the following healthcare environments:
Hospitals
A radiologic technician job description and duties allow them to play a key role in the delivery of patient care in hospitals.
So, X-ray technicians support physicians, nurses, and radiologists during diagnosis.
In fact, radiologic technologist provides image procedures for surgical patients and patients receiving long-term care.
Physician Offices
Radiologic technicians are employed in physician’s offices to conduct imaging procedures. Basically, they support the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
Medical Laboratories
Actually, radiologic technologists are employed by medical laboratories to conduct tests on behalf of other medical providers such as hospitals and clinics
Basically, x-ray technicians conduct x-rays and other imaging procedures and transmit results to the requesting facility.
Also, radiologic technicians manage mobile imaging services of medical laboratories.
Outpatient Care Centers
Radiologic technician job description allows them to support patients being treated for a wide range of medical conditions in outpatient care centers.
X-ray technicians gather images from these patients and send them to physicians and nurses to diagnose and treat patients without admittance or lengthy stay in a hospital.
How can I become a Radiologic Technologist?
Firstly, to be a radiologic tech you will need skills that are learned in either 2-years or at least a 4-year degree program.
However, not every radiologic technologist follows the same path to achieve their career goals. Below is a guide to becoming a rad tech.
Requirements for Radiologic Technologist Career
Basically, you need a bachelor’s degree in any radiologic technician education program or a two year associate of applied science degree from an accredited body.
You may also get state licensure before you can apply for a position. In fact, there are quite a few radiologic technician programs at colleges and universities. However, you must complete clinical work to meet radiologic technologist requirements.
Two undergraduate degree options exist in the field of radiologic science
- Associate of Applied science
- Bachelor of Science
Associate of Applied science is a 2-year program to find entry-level employment and are offered at community colleges as well as online.
Similarly, the bachelor of science program is less common and offered through universities and accredited online schools. Both programs prepare students to become licensed.
While an associate degree program offers intensive coursework to be completed around 80 credit hours and covers;
- Radiographic clinical procedures
- Radiation protection
- Image production and evaluation
- Anatomy and physiology
- Equipment operation and maintenance
Similarly, a Bachelor of Science program often includes courses in clinical practice, radiobiology, and pathophysiology. Also, students should expect to meet the following courses
- Bioethics
- Healthcare law and policy
- Introduction to medical research
- Advanced radiologic science
- Mammography
- Human resource management
Actually, radiologic technologist job description and duties make them stand for long hours daily. So, you may need to evaluate your health to make sure you are physically fit and healthy before towing this career part.
Where do I Get a Radiologic Technologist Degree?
Usually, a bachelor of science degree in radiologic science is obtainable in most universities and colleges. Here are some universities offering a degree in Radiologic Tech
This university is an online school offering a bachelor of science degree program in Radiation Science and Technology.
Also, it offers a Master’s degree program in the Master of Health Administration
Similarly, this university offers 18 master’s degrees and 45 undergraduate majors. Basically, these degrees focus on educating future researchers in basic and applied sciences, clinicians and a wide array of health and social service professions.
However, for a complete insight on how much it may cost to get this degree, click the button below:
Actually, this university offers an online undergraduate bachelor’s degree in science and an associate degree in applied sciences.
Basically, they demand that applicants must be a high school graduate. To start your career as a radiologic technologist you should submit your high school transcript with an application.
Subsequently, you will sit for an entrance examination or provide scores for the ACT or SAT.
Furthermore, financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships is available for students to explore. See the information below for tuition fees and other financial services.
Pulse Radiology is an online school fully accredited by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).
Consequently, the offer online certificate programs in Computed Tomography(CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Basically, the training is a 14 -week program that helps X-ray technologists gain more insights into ARRT CT and Mri education.
Additionally, they receive clinical scan training at affiliate locations in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Texas, and Virginia.
How much will I earn as a Radiologic Technologist?
Apparently, a radiologic technician salary will be influenced by a lot of factors like a current employer, city, and academic qualification alongside years of experience.
However, an average annual salary for a radiologic technician is $62,761. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says this professional job outlook will improve by 9 percent between 2014-2015.
So, a professional radiologic technician’s lowest-earning is estimated at $58, 520. Furthermore, BLS states the highest salaries for this particular profession in the following states;
- California: $76,760
- District of Columbia: $74,910
- Massachusets: $71,790
- Alaska: $69,870
- Hawaii: $69,100
What skills do you need to be a radiologist technician?
In addition to training and certification requirements, you will become an even more competitive candidate if you develop the top three skills that recruiters and human resource managers are looking for.
Communication skills
As a radiological technologist, you must communicate and interact with a wide variety of people in order to do your job.
Medical and anatomical skills
- You will be instructed which areas of the body to target for imaging. Radiological technology requires you to study and understand human anatomy.
- You need to be familiar with the human body and practical contact with patients. Diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy require a willingness to properly position patients for optimal medical treatment and safety.
- Safety measures must be followed carefully. You must be willing to follow the security protocol for each procedure.
Mechanical suitability
As a radiologic technologist, you use technology, techniques, and equipment to manage patient care. For your role, you will need to develop expertise in the following areas:
- Operate, maintain and calibrate devices
- Become familiar with imaging or radiation therapy techniques
- Adjust the exposure time and intensity
- Perform radiation therapy as directed
- Learn new technologies and techniques
Conclusion
Early detection of ailments and diseases helps patients get treated and increase their survival rate. So, following the tremendous world population growth, it is expected that there will be more outbreaks of ailments and disease.
Therefore, radiologic technicians’ demand will increase geometrically. This is because the medical world is gradually shifting from curing diseases to preventing them totally. In fact, one of the major ways this can be achieved is the early detection of signs and symptoms.
In addition, this post provides great insight to all you need to start a career as an X_ray technician. It provides answers to radiologic technologist job descriptions and duties, salary and how to become one.
Finally, with this profession, you can earn money and help people live longer. Start an interesting career today.
Radiologic Technologist FAQs
These professionals are also known as radiologic technologists and they use cutting -edge imaging methods to visualize the inside of the human body. Basically X-ray technologist helps physcians diagnoze and treat illnessess or injuries.
$58,712 annual pay is estimated to be the least income for a radilogic technologist? However, your entry-level and academic qualification along side city may influnece the pay of an X-ray technician.
Nope, while radiologic technicians help position patients and ensure that an clear image is obtainable to aid the physicians diagnosis, a radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in dianosing injuries using medical imaging techniques.
X-ray technicians work hand in hand with physicians and radiologist.
A certified and professional radiologic technician can work in any healthcare environments. X-ray technicians can work in hospitals, out-care patient centers and medical laboratories.
References
- Inner body: How to become an X-ray Technicians
- Explore Health Careers: Allied Health Professionals
- Cambridge Health: What do radio technologist do?
- Pulse Radiology: Online MRI Certificate Programs
- Medical Technology Schools: Radiologic Technologist
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