how to become an xray tech

Have you ever considered becoming a radiology technologist?

This career is an excellent one. If this position sounds completely unfamiliar to you, you may know it better by its more common names: x-ray tech or rad tech.

Radiology technologists work in the health care field and work directly with the patients they serve. They take radiologic images of different parts of the human body. These images are then presented to doctors who read them to determine what help, if any, a patient may need.

This job will allow you to help people every single day. Best of all, radiology technologists are in high demand, and this field is one that pays quite well.

In this informative post, you'll learn about the education you'll need to get started and what you'll learn in your courses. You'll soon know if this sounds like a good career path for you. Read on.

What Does a Radiologic Technologist Do?

The primary job of a radiology technologist is to use x-ray and other imaging technologies to capture images of the interior of the human body. If you have ever broken a bone, had a sonogram or mammogram, or had an MRI, then chances are it was a radiologic technician who helped position you for the imaging and who captured the image for your doctor.

Radiology is an incredible field that is always advancing and improving. Without it, doctors would have a much more challenging time diagnosing their patients. Thanks to these technologies, doctors are able to see what is happening inside people's bodies. Then, they are able to identify issues and offer the proper treatment.

Because doctors require so many of these images, they couldn't do their jobs as efficiently without rad techs. Rad techs know how to position patients to capture the best images for the doctors who request them. They are skilled at keeping patients calm and safe during these imagery sessions. Some people are apprehensive about the machines that are used in this realm, but rad techs can always put their minds at ease.

Why People Love This Field

Radiology technology is a fantastic field that many find quite rewarding. In addition to helping people, you will also earn a strong and steady income in this career.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologic and MRI technologists make an average of $63,710 per year or $30.63 per hour. This pay is quite good by anyone's standards, and it's one of the highest paying jobs available for people with associate's degrees. Although some rad techs go on to earn a bachelor's or master's degree after some time in this role, the majority find that an associate's degree is plenty to be successful.

How to Become a Radiologic Technologist

If you wish to become a radiology technologist, the process is quite simple and can be completed in just a few short years. First, you must graduate high school or obtain a GED.

From there, you can continue on to an associate's degree program in this field. Your program will teach you everything that you will need to know to capture the images that the doctors need on the common machines that they use.

Make sure the program you choose is approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Twill be required for you to move onto the next important step.

In your educational program, you'll participate in classroom instruction. You'll also have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a clinical setting to gain experience.

Your academic classes will include courses in anatomy, human biology, chemistry, physics, and physiology and you'll learn a great deal about the human body.

During your clinical training, you'll become familiar with the machines you'll use in your career. You'll also have the opportunity to work directly with patients under the supervision of your instructors. This will help you to gain the skills and confidence you'll need to succeed as a radiology technologist.

Certification

Your final step before you begin looking for a job in this field is to become certified. Although there are no national licensing requirements to become a radiology technologist, some states do have their own requirement. In order for you to be attractive to potential employers, it's wise to gain ARRT certification.

Some states require it. For example, in the state of Florida, educational programs for an Associate Degree are twenty-four months. A certification is required for employment.

To acquire an ARRT certification, you'll have to submit your school transcripts and an ethics pre-application. You'll also need to need to take and pass an exam that will showcase your knowledge and understanding of radiology.

Certification Renewal

Once you receive your certification, you'll need to renew it every two years. To keep it current, you'll need to demonstrate your compliance with ARRT regulations and ethical standards. You also must complete the required number of continuing education hours.

Many radiologic technologists use this opportunity to specialize in a specific type of imaging or to advance their general skills on an ongoing basis.

You might consider pursuing more training in imaging specialties like mammography, sonography, vascular sonography, vascular-interventional radiography, bone densitometry, or computed tomography, to name a few.

Become a Radiology Technologist Today

Radiology is an exciting field. More and more rad techs are needed each year; radiology technologist jobs are growing at a faster rate than the national average for most jobs. If you are a good communicator who is patient and detail-oriented that wants to work with the public and help people, this may be an excellent career path for you.

If you want to learn more about the programs we offer to train radiology technologists, please give us a call today. We are here to answer and questions you may have and we can't wait to help you get started on a wonderful new career.

Find an Radilogy Program Today!

To enroll in a program, Med Academy can help! We offer associate of science degree and diploma programs in MRI technologists as well as Radiology Technologists. Contact us today to learn more about our programs, the classes we offer, and the admissions process!

Becoming an Radiology Technologist is easier than you think.