Are you looking for a career in a field that is growing at a rapid rate? If so, consider a career as a radiologic technologist or technician. With training in more than one area of diagnostic imaging procedure, you will have many jobs to choose from and your radiography salary will show this. Formal training is required and most states will require that you obtain a license. Although many find employment in a hospital setting, you will have other options. Choose to work in a diagnostic imaging center or find employment in a physician’s office.
The Job Description of a Radiologic Technologist or Technician
As a radiologic technologist or technician, you will be responsible for performing a variety of diagnostic imaging exams. You will start by explaining the procedure and then position the patient so the appropriate body parts may be captured. Any exposed areas will be covered with radiation protection devices and the radiographer will move the radiographic equipment to the correct position to capture the needed images. Controls on the machines may need to be adjusted also. Other duties will be required and, depending on what these are, your radiography salary will increase.
The Average Radiologist Salary of a Radiologic Technologist or Technician
Your radiography salary is in many ways dependent on where you choose to work. If you work in a medical and/or diagnostic lab, your annual wages will be in the neighborhood of $55,210 as of May 2008. Those who work in a physician’s office will make approximately $48,530. Those who choose to work for the Federal Executive Branch, outpatient care centers and hospitals will make somewhere between these two figures so take this into consideration when you go to apply for work.
Education, Training and Certification Needed for a Career in Radiology
If you choose to pursue a career as a radiologic technician or technologist, you will need a certificate of training at the bare minimum. Most choose to pursue an associate degree although some do opt to go for a bachelor’s degree in this field. Once the necessary schooling has been completed, you must become licensed per the regulations of your state. These do vary by state so it is best to contact the State health board before you take this step.
You may also choose to become certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. In many cases, a state will use this certification test as part of the licensing process. Be sure to ask when you look into licensure. A career as a
radiologic technologist or technician can be a very rewarding career if you know what to expect.
Job Growth Outlook For Radiology
Job growth for jobs in radiography are expected to grow at a rate of 17% in the United States which is faster than the average of most jobs and therefore those looking to follow this career path should be encouraged. Those statistics were pulled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Keep in mind that those with knowledge of multiple imaging devices will have the best job opportunities so it will be in your interest to train with as many machines as you can. While hospitals are expected to still be the primary employers when it comes to radiography, the advances in technology that will allow for cheaper and cheaper imaging machines means that more and more jobs will open up in physician offices and smaller medical organizations.
Things are looking promising in radiography and those looking to pursue this career path should do some further research online. Good luck!