Becoming a Radiology Technician involves more than having a passion for photography and imaging. Just like every other career path, it requires some good level of commitment and it is very possible through smart work and determination.
It is also interesting to note that people from other disciplines can successfully migrate to becoming radiology technicians, either by attending a two-year associate’s program or a four-year bachelor’s degree program in accredited institutions.
Meanwhile, earning certificates from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) via either path (associate or bachelor) is ranked the same in the professional career, that is; none of them has a higher preference.
The salary of rad techs can be very mouth-watering and it may interest one to consider choosing this path of professional career. Hence, this article will give you a step-by-step guide on what you need to know and do in order to become a radiology technician.
What is a Radiology Technician?
Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat disease. Radiology is the heart of modern medicine and it plays a vital role in the healthcare system. It is one of the fastest-growing careers with a good-paying salary. Becoming a radiology technician is not an easy task, but it can be a fulfilling one, given the good pay aside from being able to save lives.
Radiology technicians also known as rad techs (for short) are professionals that are in charge of performing imaging technology (X-ray) for appropriate diagnosis of diseases. They only perform imaging test on patients and then pass on the results to radiologists for interpretation. This implies that as a radiology technician, your primary duty is to assist the radiologists and doctors incorrectly capturing a patient’s diagnosis via X-rays.
Radiology Technician Jobs
As a radiology technician, you can choose to work in one of the following places;
- Hospitals: You can choose to work in the critical care units, emergency rooms or operating rooms.
- Outpatients care centers
- Physicians’ offices
- Medical centers both public and private
- Therapy centers
- Private imaging centers
- Medical laboratories.
A radiology technician’s job description includes; preparing the patients and equipment for radiology procedures, performing the tests, and maintaining the equipment.
How to Become a Radiology Technician
The following are a step-by-step guide to the most direct path to becoming a radiology technician:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Earn a bachelor’s or Associate degree
- Medical School
- Internship and Residency
- Fellowship
- Licensure and Certifications
Not all rad techs follow the same path yet end up successful in their career. Some rad techs may follow the path of attending accredited radiologic programs at a two-year school, while others may just go for a bachelor’s degree. Again, each career path is unique with a successful ending depending on how much effort you put in.
Step 1: Have a high school (or its equivalent)
Just like other careers, enrolling in high school is a fundamental radiologic technologist requirement. This sits well with early birds planning to become radiology technicians from as early as high school. It will be very ideal to volunteer or work in healthcare centers with rad techs so as to build background knowledge of the career as an edge for future purposes.
Step 2: Earn a bachelor’s or Associate degree
Apply for and attend an accredited undergraduate radiologic technology program for either two years (associate degree) or four years (bachelor’s degree).
Note that, earning an associate over a bachelor’s degree does not make an applicant more qualified for certification, but may help in terms of furthering one’s education. It is more pertinent to ensure that the applicant’s school is accredited in order to ensure the validity of the certificate.
Step 3: Medical School
Radiologists must hold a medical degree. It will take four years to complete medical school. The first two years will be spent in the classroom, where students will learn pathology, pathophysiology, anatomy, pharmacology, embryology, human behavior, and biochemistry. Students will be working with human cadavers in anatomy class.
Following the classroom portion of medical school, students will begin the second half of their program, known as “clinical rotations.” The student will be doing hands-on work under experienced doctors in all of the sub-fields of medicine in this portion of medical school, so they will be doing hands-on work in all of the sub-fields of medicine such as surgery, internal medicine, osteopathy, and pediatrics. They will work in hospitals, clinics, and with both in-and out-patients.
All medical students must pass a large national examination in order to complete the program and receive their M.D. degree. The exam is known as the United States Medical Licensing Examination or USMLE. If one wishes to pursue a career in radiology, he or she must obtain an above-average score on the USMLE.
Furthermore, because internships and residencies, the next step in full licensure, are so competitive (as is the entire field of radiology), the aspiring radiologist must remain near the top of his or her medical school class and obtain positive recommendations from experienced doctors with whom they work during the clinic.
Step 4: Internship and Residency
After medical school, you can’t practice medicine fully until you enroll in an internship program.
An internship is a term used to describe the following full year of education. This is a paid component of their education. The new doctor will either work in surgery or general medicine. They will work with patients in emergency rooms, hospitals, and clinics to gain a well-rounded, general education as a new physicians.
Interns can begin working in radiology after the first year of their residency. Interns will interpret medical imaging tests, speak with patients, provide diagnoses, and develop treatment plans in addition to receiving additional training.
Throughout the day, the resident will alternate between classroom and clinical practice time. Residents will frequently be required to be available at night and on weekends.
The residents must then pass additional exams to demonstrate their thorough understanding of radiology.
Step 5: Fellowship
Most radiologists continue their education after completing their four-year residency program. They continue on to a fellowship program, where they will be trained in a subfield of radiology. These fellowship programs are structured similarly to residencies, with lectures and training as well as hands-on work with patients to apply what they’ve learned.
Fellowship programs typically last a year or two. Approximately 90% of all radiologists participate in at least one fellowship program. Some people participate in two programs.
Step 6: Licensure and Certifications
Apply for registration and certification with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Certification with ARRT is one of the basic radiology technician education requirements. In order to boost potential employability and technical know-how, many rad techs prefer to be certified with ARRT.
The process involves submitting proof of acceptable academic record, filling out and submitting ethics pre-application, and passing the examination that assesses the knowledge and expertise of the intelligent performance of the duty of a staff technologist practicing at entry-level within the discipline.
For entry-level positions, a certification in radiography is the most applicable. After working in this capacity, radiology technologists may want to pursue specialty certification with the ARRT in areas such as mammography (breast imaging or x-ray for breast cancer detection), bone densitometry (that is; dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for detecting bone loss), or cardiac-interventional radiography (x-ray or imaging of the heart).
Specializations include radiography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and sonography.
Step 7: Renew of Certifications
Technologists must renew their certifications every two years. This 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.
Types of Radiology Technology Programs
There are basically seven types or branches of rad technology. They are as follows;
1. Mammography:
Rad technologists in this field are specialists in using low-dose X-rays to image and diagnose breast diseases like cancer of the breast. This imaging appropriately detects cancer cells earlier before the patient notices symptoms, making treatment way easier.
2. Sonography:
Rad technologists in this field employ ultrasound machines that use high-frequency sound waves that generate images that help physicians diagnose and treat different diseases. This set of rad techs can work in any medical radiology facility.
3. Nuclear medicine:
This is a growing field of rad tech which involves administering drugs to patients for positron emission tomography (PET) scans. These scans are mostly used to diagnose the health conditions of the brain or heart.
4. MRI technology:
These rad techs use the magnetic resonance imaging machine to diagnose conditions in the spinal cord, brain, musculoskeletal problems, or sports injuries, for easy treatment by physicians. They can work in the hospital, clinic, or any medical facility with rad tech needs.
5. Bone densitometry:
These rad techs use dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to help diagnose bone loss in patients, which can lead to osteoporosis. These specialists mostly deal with aged women between 65 and above, meaning that they will remain valid for as long as possible.
6. Computed tomography (CT):
Also known as CAT scan. Rad techs in this field create three-dimensional images of internal organs, bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels. This specialty mostly works with cancer patients or suspected cancer patients. It requires specialized training and certifications.
7. Fluoroscopy:
These rad techs are highly selling (hotcakes). They create real-time images of contrasts moving throughout the body. These specialists can record body fluids around the throat and how blood flows throughout the body.
Radiology Technician Salary
A registered radiologic technologist – a rad tech earns a salary differently depending on the country and/or state of residence. For instance, according to the US Bureau of labor statistics; the average radiology technician’s salary in 2019 was $63,120 per year, while the median salary in 2020 was $63,710 per year and $30.63 per hour.
Radiology Technician Certification
Most countries require radiology technicians to secure a license. Requirements differ in each country. Some countries and/or states use the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination for licensing, but it is appropriate to contact the relevant country/state’s health board for more information.
Aspiring Radiology Technologists also search for: 4 week Certificate Programs: Top 20 short term career training
Top 11 Accredited Radiology Technician Schools;
The following are the best radiology technician schools with their background information:
1. State Technical College of Missouri
Duration: 2 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $8,071
State technical college offers one of the best radiology technician programs. The premier technical college, is also known as the employer’s choice because it has a 99% job placement rate and a 73% graduation rate which ranks first in the state.
The university has more than 50 labs including the health sciences lab which enables them to provide students with hands-on education which is topnotch in the US. Being a graduate of Missouri State College makes you gain an easy increment of salary between 10 years of working which might not be so with graduates from other institutions.
Please see the program link below in case you may want to consider studying at the university
2. Northwest Iowa Community College
Duration: 2 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $10,278
The Northwest lows Community College Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Studying Rad Tech at NCC requires an additional acceptance process. Your acceptance to the program is based upon the successful completion of prerequisite courses and the program entrance assessment, HESI A2.
In addition, you must have a high school diploma (with a 2.0 grade point average) or a High School Equivalency Diploma. You must complete prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher. You also need three years of science completed at the high school or post-high school level (with a grade of “C” or better). An academic background in life sciences is best recommended.
3. Mitchell Technical Institute
Duration: 2 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $10,885
Mitchell Technical Institute is one of the leading radiology tech schools. It’s the number one in South Dakota for a 10-year return on investment, top 150 US Community College for 2021, and 99% of its graduates in the labor market are employed within 6 months.
The department of Radiologic Sciences provides adequate skills and technical knowledge needed by its students to become successful in their careers.
4. Ball State University
Duration: 4 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $13,535
Ball State University is one of the most affordable public schools in Muncie, Indiana. It has a 57% graduation rate and 77% acceptance rate.
Radiologic technology is research and practical-oriented at the college, and it is completed within a four years academic calendar.
5. Maine College of Health Professions
Duration: 4 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $16,795
MCHP is one of the top-notch schools in the US that any intending Radiologic Technology student should aspire to attend because it uses an individualized education approach, which allows a small size classroom where all students are given optimal attention and hands-on practicals in the laboratory.
The college also has a record of 100% job placement after graduation, given that it produces academically sound and skilled graduates. Hence, choosing to acquire a rad tech degree at the Maine College of Health Professions is no mistake.
6. University-Kansas City
Duration: 4 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $16,883
UKC is the most comprehensive and fully accredited university in Kansas City.
The Radiologic Technology Department is small scale within the ratio of 14:1; meaning that professors know each student by name. This approach to education makes it easier for students to be appropriately mentored and tutored both in the classroom and during practicals in the lab.
7. Johnson County Community College
Duration: 2 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $17,442
Johnson College is one of the highly ranked accredited community institutions in the US. The school hires the best-qualified professors and instructors that ensure career development, academic counseling, and other resources for the success of students.
JCCC offers a wide range of financial aid to students in form of scholarships, grants, or loans so that tuition doesn’t become a barrier for prospective students.
Hence, applying for an associate degree in Radiologic Technology at JCCC is an ideal decision.
8. Dunwoody College of Technology
Duration: 4 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $19,132
Dunwoody College of Technology is one of the best technical colleges in the US. Its education approach is based upon learning by doing, meaning that practical is the order of education in the college.
It’s Radiologic Technology Department comprises only instructors who are practicing famous experts in the field, and the college partners with renowned 10 hospitals to ensure adequate practical sessions.
In case you find Dunwoody College of Technology interesting and best for your academic pursuit, please see the Program link below for more information
9. St. Luke’s College
Duration: 4 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $20,290
St Luke’s College is one of the best Colleges in the US that offers healthcare educational programs which are based upon clinical experiences in a hospital environment.
As an applicant of Rad Tech at St Luke’s College, you must show documentation of 8 (or at least 4) hours of working experience with a radiologic technologist in a medical center, aside from other admission requirements.
10. Nebraska Methodist College
Duration: 2/4 years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $20,836
Nebraska Methodist College is a private institution that is among the top fully accredited schools by the Higher Learning Commission of the US. It is primarily a nursing and allied healthcare college.
The Radiologic Technology Department is made up of both 2years associate degrees or 4 years bachelor’s degrees. Therefore, applicants are allowed to make their choices based on the criteria of meeting the admission requirements.
11. Clarkson College
Duration: 4years in Radiologic Technology
Tuition: $21,655
Clarkson College is one of the best Colleges a prospective rad tech student should aspire to attend given; that they’re fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
At Clarkson College, rad tech students can earn dual degrees (Associate degree in Radiography and a Bachelor’s degree in medical imaging) within 3years.
Meanwhile, it operates on a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, having a 95% average five-year credentialing pass and an average five-year 100% job placement rate.
Conclusion
Choosing to become a radiology technician is an ideal decision because you have the edge of applying from different disciplines of study, earning a good salary aside from saving lives, and have the liberty of working alone or in a group.
Therefore, taking advantage of our expert guide will be beneficial to you in following this career path.
FAQs on How to become a Radiology Technician
How many years does it take to become a radiologist?
It typically takes up to 13 years
How much is a Radiologist salary?
According to BLS, the Median Pay of a Radiologist Technician was $63,710 per year and $30.63 per hour in 2020.
What is the cost of becoming a Radiology Technician?
A certificate in radiography or radiologic technology typically costs between $6,000-$20,000
Reference
- arrt.org. ARRT Certification and Registration.
- jrcert.org/find-a-program. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), Accredited Educational Programs.
- bls.gov. Radiology Technologists salary
- radiologyschools411.com. Radiologic Technologists Career Information
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