Radiology Technician |
Who are Radiology Technologists and Technicians?
Is This Program in My Area?Radiology technologists and technicians, also referred to as radiologists, take x-rays and dispense nonradioactive substances into patients’ bloodstreams for diagnostic purposes. They work closely with physicians and assist them in diagnosing medical problems through the use of x-ray technology. Career opportunities in radiology, particularly those for technologists and technicians, continue to grow as technology advances. What do Radiology Technologists and Technicians Do? Radiology technologists and technicians spend much of their time x-raying parts of the human body to assist with medical diagnoses. In addition to producing x-ray films, they also prepare patients for radiologic examination, explaining the x-ray procedures and positioning the patients for the x-ray. The radiology technicians and technologists also make sure to protect patients from overexposure to radiation. Much of the radiology technologist and technician’s job involves positioning the radiographic equipment around the patient’s body, using instruments to take necessary measurements, making sure the radiographs demonstrate the appropriate density, detail, and contrast to make a clear diagnosis, and then developing the film. Technologists and technicians also keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. They also often prepare work schedules, evaluate purchases of equipment, or manage a radiology department. Depending on their level of experience, radiology technologists and technicians may perform more complex imaging procedures. Radiology technologists often specialize in a particular procedure, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR) or mammography. Technologists usually work at diagnostic machines, but sometimes perform procedures at patients’ besides. Most jobs in radiology are found in hospitals, offices of physicians, and medical and diagnostic laboratories. Radiology Technologist and Technician Training Training for radiology technologists and technicians varies, but most employers prefer to hire employees with formal radiology training. The majority of radiology technologists and technicians complete a two-year associate radiology degree program, although there are one-year certificate programs available. The majority of formal radiology technology and radiology technician training programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and there are currently more than 600 accredited programs. Radiology degree programs provide both classroom and clinical instruction including courses such as anatomy, physiology, patient care procedures, medical terminology, medical ethics pathology, and a variety of very specific radiology classes. There are also formal training programs that result in a radiology bachelor’s degree. Bachelor and masters degree programs in radiologic technologies are important for people desiring positions as supervisors, administrators, or teachers. Experienced technologists and technicians can become specialists or can pursue additional training to become administrators, instructors or directors of radiology technology programs, or sales representatives. Employers look for technologists and technicians who have good interpersonal skills for working with patients, are detail-oriented, follow instructions, are team players, and can operate complicated equipment. Radiology Technologist and Technician Certification Radiology technologists and technicians can become certified through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). While certification is voluntary, many employers prefer to hire certified technologists. Several states also offer ARRT-exams for state licensing purposes. In order to become certified, technologists have to graduate from an accredited program and pass a certification examination. After becoming certified, technologists need to maintain their certification through annual registration. In order to register annually, technologists need to complete continuing education requirements. Radiology Technologist and Technician Job Prospects The outlook for radiology technologist and technician jobs is currently quite favorable. Employment of technologists and technicians is expected to grow 15 percent within the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, which is much faster than average for all occupations. The growth in the industry is a result of the increasing demand for diagnostic imaging as the population grows and ages. Also, as technology advances many procedures are becoming less expensive and are getting adopted by the mainstream population. The main employer of radiology technologists and technicians will continue to be hospitals, but a number of new jobs will be found in offices of physicians and diagnostic imaging centers. In addition to the new jobs being created in the industry, an increasing number of positions will be available as technologists leave the occupation for other fields or retire. Those technologists and technicians with specialties such as CT, MR, and mammography will have the best employment opportunities. Radiology Technologist and Technician Job Security and Salary The job market for radiology technologists and technicians is expected to continue to improve for over the next several years, particularly for those who are credentialed with marketable specialties. Technologists and technicians can expect to earn between $32,750 and $68,920 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Salaries for technologists and technicians are dependent on the location of the services, for example technologists and technicians at medical and diagnostic laboratories generally earn more than those who work in the offices of physicians. Overall, opportunities in radiology are expected to be quite favorable and can be lucrative. |