Radiologic Tech

Science in Radiology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How Hard is Radiologic Technology School?
Radiology programs can be challenging since students must retain the knowledge to successful pass the national board exam through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (arrt.org)

How Long is Radiologic Technologist School?
Most programs are two years in length and offer an Associates Degree.

Are Radiologic Technologists in Demand?
The projected percent change in employment from 2014 to 2024 in 9%. The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-6

Are Radiologic Technologists Exposed to Radiation?
Radiologic technologists work with imaging equipment that uses radiation. They must wear badges that measure radiation levels in the radiation area. Detailed records are kept on their cumulative lifetime dose. Although radiation hazards exist in this occupation, they are minimized by the use of protective lead aprons, gloves, and other shielding devices, and by badges that monitor exposure to radiation.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-3

Can Radiologic Technologists Have Tattoos?
Yes, but they should keep them covered with a long sleeve shirt or lab coat.

What does a Radiologic Technologists do?

Duties

Radiologic technologists typically do the following:

  • Adjust and maintain imaging equipment
  • Precisely follow orders from physicians on what areas of the body to image
  • Prepare patients for procedures, including taking a medical history and answering questions about the procedure
  • Protect the patient by shielding exposed areas that do not need to be imaged
  • Position the patient and the equipment in order to get the correct image
  • Operate the computerized equipment to take the images
  • Keep detailed patient records

Healthcare professionals use many types of equipment to diagnose patients. Radiologic technologists specialize in x-ray. Technologists may be certified in multiple specialties. Some radiologic technologists prepare a mixture for the patient to drink that allows soft tissue to be viewed on the images that the radiologist reviews.

Do Radiologic Technologists make good money?
The median annual wage for radiologic technologists was $56,670 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,660.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-5

How much do Radiologic Technologists make an hour?
$27.94 per hour was the median pay in 2015
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-1

Where Does a Radiologic Technologists Work?
The industries that employed the most radiologic technologists in 2014 were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private 59%
Offices of physicians 21
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 8
Outpatient care centers 4

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-3

What Does a Radiologic Technologists Make a Year?
In May 2015, the median annual wages for radiologic technologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private $57,950
Outpatient care centers 56,820
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 56,660
Offices of physicians 51,610

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-5

Is Radiologic Technologists School Hard?
An associate’s degree is the most common educational requirement for radiologic technologists. There also are postsecondary education programs that lead to graduate certificates or bachelor’s degrees. Education programs typically include both classroom study and clinical work. Coursework includes anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and protection, and image evaluation.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-4

Is Radiologic Technologists a Good Job?
Employment of radiologic technologists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-6

Is Radiologic Technology a Good Career?
As the population grows older, there will be an increase in medical conditions, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, which require imaging as a tool for making diagnoses. Radiologic technologists will be needed to take the images. In addition, the number of individuals who have access to health insurance is expected to continue to increase because of federal health insurance reform.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-6

What is a Radiologic Technologists?
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as x rays, on patients.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-2

Who is Hiring Radiologic Technologists?
59% of Radiologic Technologists are hired at hospitals.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-3

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