There are no national radiologic technologist licensing requirements as of Beyond basic certification, technologists can specialize in a range of different procedures. These include, but are not limited to, bone densitometry, breast sonography, computed tomography CT , mammography, or vascular sonography. The BLS reports that between and , openings for radiologic technologists are expected to grow by 7 percent nationally, which is faster than the average growth expected for all jobs during that time 4 percent.
Overall, there are good possibilities for radiologic technologists and those willing to put in the work to learn the necessary industry skills to do the job well. Not every radiologic technologist follows the same path to achieve their career goals. Each career path is unique, with rad-tech hopefuls coming from many different medical backgrounds.
Step 1: Graduate from high school four years : High school or equivalency is mandatory for any radiologic technologist. These will be useful for future educational opportunities. If possible, high school students should also try to work or volunteer in a healthcare setting to get an idea of what the career will entail. A complete list of those accrediting agencies is available from ARRT.
It should be noted that the degree earned, although it must be from an accredited institution, does not have to be in radiologic technology.
Step 3: Apply for certification and registration with ARRT timeline varies : As mentioned, there are no national licensing requirements for radiologic technologists, though many states do have their own licensing process. To maximize potential employability and establish expertise, most radiologic technologists choose to pursue certification with the ARRT. For entry-level positions, a certification in radiography is the most applicable.
After working in this capacity, radiologic technologists may want to pursue specialty certification with the ARRT in areas such as mammography, bone densitometry, or cardiac-interventional radiography. Specializations include radiography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, MRI, and sonography. Step 4: Maintain ARRT certification every two years : Technologists must renew their certifications every two years, which first requires compliance with all ARRT regulations, adherence to the ARRT standards of ethics, and completion of the required number of continuing education hours.
Renewing technologists must either earn 24 credit hours each year to stay current with their certification or be awarded further certifications from the ARRT in other specialties. The curriculum is divided into two phases. The first, the pre-professional phase, takes years to complete and consists of general education and prerequisite coursework. During the final years, students enter the professional phase and complete their radiologic technology classes and supervised clinical experiences.
These X-ray technician training programs are designed for students who already hold a degree an associate degree, at minimum in another field. They can be found at career schools, community colleges, technical colleges, and hospitals. Common prerequisites include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, writing, and college algebra. Certificate students also spend time practicing their skills under supervision in hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers.
Because technicians are on their feet for long periods, the job requires a high level of fitness and stamina. Technicians should enjoy hands-on work with complex machinery and be able to troubleshoot minor equipment problems. Some types of imaging machines emit small amounts of ionizing radiation. To minimize exposure risks, technicians must adhere closely to safety procedures and use shielding and protective clothing when appropriate.
Certification is voluntary for many X-ray technicians. But because most employers require it, almost everyone in this field gets certified at the primary level or higher. This requires graduation from an ARRT-approved training program, earning an associate degree or higher in any field, and passing an ethics review and knowledge exam. By: Andrew Colucci, MD.
Last Updated: Jun 29, X-ray technicians work with a wide variety of imaging technologies, including:. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI Film and digital mammography. New York. Compare Salaries by City. Steps to Become an X-Ray Technician. Earn an associate degree at minimum. Become ARRT-certified. Get licensed if required by your state. As you gain experience, consider your options for advancement. Basic radiographic procedures. Learn to position patients for imaging and check the quality of the resulting studies.
Patient care. Radiographic imaging equipment. Study how machines produce x-ray images that allow us to see inside the body. Radiation biology and protection. Covers how radiation affects the body and safety procedures related to exposure. They use specialty equipment to record x-ray images for radiologists to interpret and analyze. Technicians are often responsible for positioning patients properly for x-rays, ensuring the images are the best quality and other duties such as:.
They can work with patients of all ages and in various specialties such as pediatrics, cardiac, pulmonary and much more. Before you can start your career as a radiologic technologist, there are important requirements you must meet first. With a high school diploma under your belt, you can continue on to the next steps:. Your education may include various courses including medical terminology, health science, anatomy and physiology, psychology, image production and radiographic physics.
X-ray technology is a great place for you to begin your medical career.
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