Apart from radiology tech schools, x-ray schools may be plenty around America, but jobs for x-ray technicians are growing at a faster rate than it can be filled. You can become an x-ray technician or radiographer after completing either a one-year certificate course or a two-year associate degree, which is what most employers prefer.
Things to know
Schools are either technical or community colleges, universities or within hospitals and even the U.S. Armed Forces offers training for this field. Radiologic technologist schools usually offer programs for technicians. Four-year bachelor degrees will prepare you to take on more administrative responsibilities as well as for specializations. When you later choose to specialize, you may eventually attend MRI schools, nuclear medicine technology schools or ultrasound tech schools.
Knowledge in patient care is important for radiologic technicians because it is your responsibility to properly inform the patient of what will happen during the procedure and the positions they must be in to accurately make the diagnostic imaging examination. Aside from this skill, what are taught at x-ray tech schools are:
Complex radiographic equipment and techniques
Radiation physics and safety
Sciences, including anatomy, physiology, radiobiology, and pathology
Medical ethics
Even with minimum training, the demand for x-ray technicians is high because they can be employed not only in hospitals and medical facilities, but in outpatient diagnostic centers, equipment manufacturers and even the Armed Forces.
Certification and registration
Registration for technicians under the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is usually required by employers. And to qualify for this, you must have completed training from any of the x-ray technician schools accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Registration is separate from licensure, which 38 states in the U.S. require.
Most schools offering x-ray technician programs have several campuses nationwide including California, Florida, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, Tennessee and North Carolina. Choose from:
Keiser University
Argosy University
Sanford-Brown Institute
Grand Canyon University
Everest College
Apollo College
Growing field
The health industry continues to expand given so many technological advancements in the field of medicine. With an aging population and the discovery of more diseases, medical equipment have been invaluable in diagnosing and treating them.
Even at the entry-level where x-ray technicians can earn an average of $59,735 annually, depending on their skills and years of experience. As you work longer, and provided you get continuing education, you can expect to receive higher salary. Your workplace will also determine how much you can earn, with those assigned at mobile units, hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers earning more than those in veteran affairs hospitals and the Armed Forces.
Still, more than most industries, medical and health care offer many opportunities at varying levels. If you are thinking of shifting careers and being able to join the employment pool the soonest, an x-ray technician position may work for you. Just work to earn your academic credentials from any of the many x-ray schools most convenient for you.
