If you have decided to pursue a career as an X-ray technician, you will undergo intensive training in hospitals and colleges and universities. Hands-on experience is important for getting hired. The more experience you have under your belt, the more you will be wanted and the higher chances you have of beating someone else who also desires the position. You don’t have to remain an X-ray technician, however. This area opens up the door to other related exciting fields you may or may not even know about:
Radiologic Technology
A radiologic technologist, also known as a radiographer and a medical radiation technologist, performs imaging on the human body for the diagnosis or treatment of medical problems. This career choice expands your options of using more diagnostic equipment, such as CT or MRI machines. Subjects important for the radiologic technologist are patient handling, physics, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and radiology.
Annual Salary: $43,000 to $62,000. You are capable of earning over $74,000.
Diagnostic Radiology
A diagnostic radiologist deals with examination of internal organs, bones, cavities, and foreign objects. They also use ultra-sounds, cardiovascular imaging, and interventional radiography. They work to diagnose complex disorders and break new paths towards further development and application of advanced imaging modalities.
Annual Salary: Starting salary is $72,000 to $253,000. 5+ years of experience is $75,000 to $345,000. You are capable of earning $500,000
Sonography
A sonographer uses high frequency sounds for obstetrics, fetal monitoring, necology, abdominal, pediatrics, cardiac, vascular, and musculo-skeletal region imaging. They operate the equipment to collect reflected echoes and forms an image that can be taped, transmitted, and photographed. The techniques used vary depending on the area being examined, but all techniques use high frequency sounds. They must also take measurements, make calculations, and analyze the results. Besides directly working with patients, sonographers must keep patient records, adjust and maintain equipment. Some must prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment purchases, and manage a sonography or diagnostic imaging department.
An obstetric or gynecologic sonographer focuses on diagnosing the female reproductive system and monitoring the fetus of a baby.
Annual salary: $49,000 to $84,000. You are capable of earning over $85,000.
An abdominal sonographer specializes in examining the abdominal cavity diagnose and treat ailments of the gallbladder, bile ducts, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, and male reproductive system.
Annual salary: $50,000 to $80,000. You are capable of earning over $80,000.
A neurosonographer studies the nervous system and brain, but use different frequencies and beam shapes than obstetric and abdominal sonographers.
Annual salary: $41,000 to $64,000. You are capable of earning over $65,000.
A breast sonographer specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the breasts. They can also track tumors, monitor blood supply, and assist in biopsy of the breast tissue
Annual salary: $41,000 to $62,000. You are capable of earning over $63,000.
Echocardiography
An echocardiography technician uses ultrasound to study the heart chambers, valves, and blood vessels.
Annual salary: $50,000 to $74,000. You are capable of earning over $74,000.
Vascular technologis
A vascular technologist specializes in diagnosing disorders affecting circulation. They evaluate pulses and assess blood flow in the arteries and veins. They use ultrasound to record vascular blood flow, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, cerebral circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation.
Annual salary: $55,000 to $69,000. You are capable of earning over $69,000.
Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is a live motion radiography used to visualize the digestive system, monitor the administration of contrast agents to highlight vessels and organs or to help position devices within the body. A fluoroscopy radiologic technologist is responsible for preparing the contrast medium, preparing the patient for procedure, and upkeep and maintenance of the equipment.
Annual salary: $44,000 to $52,000. You are capable of earning over $56,000.
Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed tomography provides cross-sectional views of the body and can reconstruct additional images from those taken to provide more information in 2D or 3D. During the scan, the patient is made to lie down on a table attached to a CT scanner. Usually an iodine dye is used to make structures and organs easier to see.
Annual salary: $44,000 to $52,000. You are capable of earning over $56,000.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses radiation to shrink or eliminate cancerous cells or growths both inside and outside the body.
Annual salary: $45,000 to $73,000. You are capable of earning over $73,000.
Mammography Technician
A mammography technician uses low radiation to perform breast scans to monitor health of the breasts.
Annual salary: $44,000 to $52,000. You are capable of earning over $56,000.
If you are interested or pursuing the career of an X-ray technician, take these various exciting fields into consideration. Whether you are interested in diagnostic radiology or radiotherapy. Whether examining the heart or abdominal cavity appeals to you. Or perhaps you find the field of fluoroscopy intriguing. Surely, there is a certain specialization that calls to you.