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Entering the healthcare industry with a degree in radiological imaging is a particularly unique professional course. The career of the radiologic technologist, or radiographer, blends medical knowledge, the use of highly technical machines and radiation handling with extremely sensitive interpersonal and professional interactions and skill.
Radiologic technologists use medical imaging technology on patients being tested for symptoms and signs of disease. Those experiencing dangerous medical conditions and procedures rely on these workers for confident and sensitive support. Working with individuals experiencing pain, fear, or no social support is a common factor of the job and creates a delicate work environment. Ethical, professional, and tactful communication are as important as administering and monitoring radiation exposure during a procedure.
This profession is one of life-long learning. Healthcare and information technology are two of the fastest developing industries in the world. By earning a degree in this field, radiologists, radiologic technologists, and technicians are staying ahead of the curve and gaining better opportunities in a competitive marketplace.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Technicians Vs. Technologists | Why Become a Radiologic Technologist? | Steps to Become a Radiology Tech | Can I Complete Radiologic Technologist Education Requirements Online? | Choosing a Specialty | Earn a Degree in Radiologic Technology
Technicians Vs. Technologists
The differences between becoming a radiologic technician versus a radiologic technologist can be defined in the scope of practice between the two titles. While technologists can operate a wide variety of imaging equipment and perform advanced procedures, a technician is limited to operating x-ray machines and guiding patients through the routine.
TECHNOLOGISTS TECHNICIANS
A technologist’s role in the exam room ranges from assisting a physician through and after a procedure to administering therapeutic radiation to patients. They are required to maintain and operate equipment, prepare patients for procedures, and help evaluate images. The technician will primarily focus on the patients with an emphasis on interpersonal skills. They prepare patients mentally, emotionally and physically for the procedure, set up the equipment to be used, and perform x-rays on patients.
Technologists are present during CT scans, MRIs, sonograms, mammograms, nuclear medical treatment, radiation therapy, and more. Technicians are present during imaging of patient extremities. Typically, they work for private medical facilities.
Technologist academic requirements include completion of a radiologic technologist associate or bachelor’s degree program, and certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to acquire licensure. Requirements may vary from state to state. Technician academic requirements include a high school diploma along with completion of a radiologic technician training program. Requirements may vary from state to state.
Both careers are easier to start with strong foundational knowledge in mathematics, as well as chemistry, biology, anatomy, and physics. They require a full medical terminology vocabulary and acute interpersonal communication skills to utilize between physicians and patients.
Why Become A Radiologic Technologist?
Career Outlook
A radiologic technologist career exhibits excellent employment prospects for those entering the field with long-term goals. The 10-year job outlook by the US National Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 7% growth in the industry between 2019 and 2029. This growth rate is faster than the average growth rate of all professions.
Almost 60% of jobs in this field are located in general medical and specialized surgical hospitals. Radiologic technologists in this domain worked for an average salary of $61,670 in 2019, according to the BLS.
Technologists also work in physician offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories, outpatient care centers and within the federal government. The last category carries the highest average salary at $65,780, but it is also the one that employs very few radiologic technologists. Only 3% of all technologists worked for the federal government in 2019.
Radiology Tech Salary
Considering that the educational requirements to enter the technologist marketplace are an associate’s degree and certification/licensure, and that the average annual salary earned by all radiographers in 2019 reports as $62,280, the tech’s salary caps at lucrative and sustainable numbers.
According to Payscale, the average annual salary for radiographers in San Diego, CA is 41.6% higher than the national average. New York, NY, Boston, MA, and Seattle, WA retain a higher-than-average pay among all workers, along with several other metropolitan cities. Lower-than average radiographer salaries are found in Houston, TX, Orlando, FL, and Nashville, TN as of January, 2020.
Salary is also determinable by your set of skills applicable to the position. For example, Payscale ranks the top three affecting radiologic technologist skills as people management, cardiology, and advanced cardiac life support.
The BLS reports that the average pay in 2019 for radiologic technologists was over $62,000, representing about $31 per hour. That is excellent compensation for a career that does not require a bachelor’s degree.
Technologist Workplace Environment
The salary is higher for technologists, despite the education requirements, for several reasons. Technologists are found working full-time in a wide breadth of occupational settings. Because of the nature of the healthcare industry, technologists must be available in emergency situations, or “on-call” along with their standard schedules.
Radiographers use high amounts of physicality throughout their work, as they move and set patients for procedures, often working with the disabled. Again, in the nature of healthcare work, technologists are on their feet for long periods of time. Their workplace environment is thoroughly organized, and they must pay attention to acute details, have a solid grasp of anatomy, biology and mathematics, then balance those skills with interpersonal customer service.
As the title suggests, the radiologic technologist handles equipment using radiation, and must wear effective PPE to measure and lessen their own exposure. Along with this comes possible exposure to infectious disease from patients, of which PPE and other professional guidelines are in place to avoid.
In general, you would learn about the highest workplace standards and how to apply professional competencies through degree study, as well as professional certification. This acquisition can lead you to the best and safest places to work in radiology.
Steps to Become a Radiology Tech
Complete education requirements—most professionals possess an accredited associate’s degree;
Pass national ARRT certification;
Qualify for state licensing, where applicable;
Explore specialty certification to expand opportunities.
Can I Complete Radiologic Technologist Education Requirements Online?
Yes!
Several accredited online radiology technology schools offer certificates, associate’s or bachelor’s degrees. Note that most will eventually require on-site learning for supervised radiologic technologist training, or an internship experience.
Choosing an online radiologic technology degree is a challenging pathway. Students are required to complete higher-level science and mathematics courses, learn about body imaging techniques and practice, correct body positions required to safely scan various body parts using a variety of imaging equipment, and more.
In general, all radiologic technologist programs include the following core subjects:
Anatomy
Biology
Radiology theory
Chemistry
Mathematics
Patient Positioning
Patient Safety
Three different educational paths you may take on your way to becoming a radiologic technologist:
A 20 to 24-month certificate program
A two-year associate degree
A four-year bachelor’s degree
Many programs require candidates to pass coding and medical office courses, as these subjects have gained importance on the job.
Whichever radiologic technologist online school you choose, it is important to make sure the degree or certificate is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), the national organization dealing with the accreditation of radiological technological training programs. Keeping track of the JRCERT and ARRT website’s can save time and effort in figuring out if the program you are pursuing is accredited, and help you navigate employment easier.
Online Radiology Technology Certificate Programs
A certificate program is an excellent option for those with considerable experience in radiologic technology who choose to expand or change medical disciplines. For example, you might be a radiologic technologist interested in moving forward in the workplace by earning a certificate in mammography, sonography, tomography, and more.
You can obtain a certification via a traditional program or through online courses. These certificate programs can be found at technical schools, community colleges and some private hospitals.
In the case of hospitals, you typically must be employed on-site currently for them to provide you the training required.
Radiologic certificate programs host intensive curriculums, so the course load is typically heavy. Prerequisites for acceptance to a certificate program might include medical experience and medical ethics courses, but vary school by school. The following GetEducated Pick’s can be completed 100% online:
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Radiography (X-Ray Technology), Associate of Applied Science
Radiography uses x-ray radiation to create images of the tissues, organs, bones and vessels that make up the human body. Most people are familiar with chest x-rays and also know that x-rays are the best way to diagnose broken bones. The radiographer or x-ray technologist is the person who actually produces x-ray images of human anatomy for the physician to read and make a diagnosis.
Through a combination of classroom and clinical education, students learn to operate x-ray equipment, produce x-ray images of human anatomy, position patients for x-ray procedures, practice radiation safety and deliver patient care. Radiographers are employed in hospitals, imaging centers and physician offices. The curriculum is designed to meet the accreditation standards of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Graduates of the Radiography program are eligible to apply to take the national certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Program objectives
Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:
demonstrate positioning skills and clinical competences by selecting appropriate technical factors, demonstrating knowledge of and practicing radiation safety, demonstrating effective patient care practices, and evaluating and critiquing radiographic images;
demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills;
demonstrate professional behavior and ethics;
complete the radiography program and the requirements for the Associate in Applied Science degree;
pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam on the first attempt with scoring at or above the national average on the ARRT certification exam; and
obtain employment in the radiologic/medical imaging field within twelve months of graduation.
Earn a Bachelor’s in Radiologic Technology
While fewer radiological technologists carry a bachelor’s degree than those who carry an associate’s degree, the trend towards completing a 4-year degree seems to be growing. Many radiological technology professions require a minimum of only a certificate or associate’s degree, but many starting radiology professionals are choosing to earn their bachelor’s degree, either in radiologic technology or in a related medical field.
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Job Prospects with a Radiology Bachelor’s Degree
While earning an associate’s degree through an accredited radiological technology program is more than enough to start a career in most radiology professions, carrying a bachelor’s degree has some benefits. For one, a higher level of education before starting out helps radiological technologists to stand out during the application process, especially as so many radiologic technologists carry certificates and associate’s degrees. In addition, a bachelor’s degree helps provide a solid foundation for the pursuit of higher education and other medical professions, and is the standard minimum education required to become a higher-paying radiologist assistant. For many aspiring radiological technologists, earning a bachelor’s degree in their profession is worth the extra two years of schooling.
JRCERT Accredited Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Radiology
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School Program Type City State Zip
University of South Alabama Radiation Therapy Mobile Alabama 36688-0002
Arkansas State University Radiation Therapy Jonesboro Arkansas 72401
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Dosimetry Little Rock Arkansas 72205
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Radiography Little Rock Arkansas 72205
Arkansas State University Magnetic Resonance State University Arkansas 72467
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Radiography Texarkana Arkansas 71854
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Radiography Fayetteville Arkansas 72703
California State University, Long Beach Radiation Therapy Long Beach California 90840-4902
California State University, Northridge Radiography Northridge California 91330-8285
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences/Kaiser MC – Richmond Radiography Richmond California 94804-3739
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Radiography (X-Ray Technology), Associate of Applied Science
Radiography uses x-ray radiation to create images of the tissues, organs, bones and vessels that make up the human body. Most people are familiar with chest x-rays and also know that x-rays are the best way to diagnose broken bones. The radiographer or x-ray technologist is the person who actually produces x-ray images of human anatomy for the physician to read and make a diagnosis.
Through a combination of classroom and clinical education, students learn to operate x-ray equipment, produce x-ray images of human anatomy, position patients for x-ray procedures, practice radiation safety and deliver patient care. Radiographers are employed in hospitals, imaging centers and physician offices. The curriculum is designed to meet the accreditation standards of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Graduates of the Radiography program are eligible to apply to take the national certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Program objectives
Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:
demonstrate positioning skills and clinical competences by selecting appropriate technical factors, demonstrating knowledge of and practicing radiation safety, demonstrating effective patient care practices, and evaluating and critiquing radiographic images;
demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills;
demonstrate professional behavior and ethics;
complete the radiography program and the requirements for the Associate in Applied Science degree;
pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam on the first attempt with scoring at or above the national average on the ARRT certification exam; and
obtain employment in the radiologic/medical imaging field within twelve months of graduation.
