If you have the desire to seek a career in radiology, the proper training and education is sure to help to get you headed in the right direction. Many radiology technician certificate and degree programs will usually be completed in about twenty-four months; while most online schools offer accelerated program options to allow you to complete the course sooner for those that would like to finish over a shorter period of time.
Once you are enrolled in a program as a radiology technologist student, you will cover such topics as:
- Use and care of x-ray equipment
- Medical terminology
- Patient preparation and
- Administration of basic medical exams
- Maintenance of patient medical records
Many programs offer accommodating online programs in addition to the traditional programs which are campus-based. Online programs generally offer informality and convenience that many individuals need in order to take the classes required to earn their degree at a time that is convenient for them.
What Do X-Ray Technicians Do?
Radiology technicians are trained in the proper use of X-ray equipment. X-ray equipment is used for a large variety of general diagnostic testing. Radiology technicians have been trained to be highly specialized allied health professionals who are able to attain employment in the following:
- Physician offices
- Hospitals
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Outpatient care centers
- Imaging centers
The demand for highly skilled and qualified radiology technicians is growing just as fast as the health care industry itself. This is a great area to pursue a career as its growth is expected to continue.
X-Ray Technicians Are In-Demand
There are many reasons to enroll in a radiology technician program to earn your degree in order to attain a career as a radiology technician:
- X-ray technicians are in-demand for their specialized skills because of a growing health care system and a growing need for X-ray services
- A seventeen percent increase is in the employment rate of radiology technicians is expected by 2018
- Of the 214,700 jobs that Radiology technicians held in 2008, approximately 61% were in hospitals
Advancement
Additional training and experience will generally lead to technologists becoming employed as specialists. Once employed as a specialist, a technologist may perform CT scans, MRI, bone densitometry and mammograms. There is a good likelihood for promotion when a radiology technician acquires additional training and education. This additional training will allow the radiology technician to be employed as a radiologists’ assistant. Specialty certifications are available through the ARRT. The AART also offers certifications in most of the radiologic specialties and credentialing for radiology assistants.
Technologists who are experienced may also continue to be promoted to different positions such as supervisor, chief radiologic technologist and director of the radiology department in some cases. Certain institutions will expect the technologist to possess at least a Master’s degree in health administration or business in order for them to qualify for the director’s position. There are some technologists who will take jobs as sales representatives or equipment instructors for the equipment manufacturers.