Becoming a Radiologist | Radiologist Schooling | Radiologist Technician

Becoming a Radiologist | Our TOP Recommendations | Radiologist Technician
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This work involves taking x-rays and administering non-radioactive materials into the bloodstream of a patient. A radiologist will review these x-rays and the results are used for diagnostic purposes. In addition to employment within hospitals, new positions will also be available within the offices of physicians and diagnostic imaging centers.

• Nature of the Work - Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, provide radiographs or x-ray film of human body parts. These x-rays are used to diagnose medical problems. Their work involves the preparation of patients for these examinations, including an explanation of the preparations and the process. The radiologist technician will also assist the patient in positioning of the body for the x-ray procedures.
• Becoming a Radiologist - Technician Schooling - There are a number of certificate programs, one year in length, available for radiographers who possess some experience. Medical technologists and registered nurses also attend these certificate programs to further their education or if changing fields. A bachelor degree or master degree is required, in one of the aspects of radiologic technology, for those desiring teaching positions, administrative or supervisory positions.
• Licensing - Operators of radiologic equipment must be properly trained as provided by federal legislation protecting the public from unnecessary exposure to dental or medical radiation.
  
  

Becoming a Radiologist | Radiologist Schooling | Radiologist Technician

Radiologist schooling to become a radiologist or radiologist technician ranges from one to four years. You can earn a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor degree, with the two year associate degree being the most common choice.

As always, we recommend only accredited training and these facilities and programs are accredited through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. In the year 2007, the committee accredited over 600 radiography programs. A high school diploma, or the equivalent, is a minimum requirement for attending a radiography program. High school courses, which are helpful toward acceptance include biology, mathematics, physics and chemistry. Both clinical instruction and classroom instruction are provided in radiation physics, physiology and anatomy, principles of imaging, patient care procedures, radiation protection, medical terminology, medical ethics, pathology, radiobiology and positioning of patients.

With additional training and experience, technologists may become specialists, performing angiography, CT scanning, MR, and angiography. With additional education and certification a radiologic technologist may become a radiologist assistant.


Becoming a Radiologist - Technician - Graduate - Job Outlook

In May of 2006, radiologic technologists held over 195,000 jobs, with over 60 percent of those positions being within hospitals. The remaining percentage were jobs held within outpatient care centers, diagnostic imaging centers, offices of physicians, and medical and diagnostic laboratories.

Job opportunities are expected to be excellent as the project employment is expected to grow faster than the average of all occupations. During the decade of 2006 to 2016 an increase of approximately 15 percent is expected for the employment of radiologic technologists. With the ever increasing population, aging individuals will have more demand for diagnostic imaging.

With the departure of some technologists from the profession, openings will become available. For those individuals who are prepared to relocate or those educated in more than more procedure, the best employment opportunities will be available.

Becoming a Radiologist - Technician - Graduates - Earnings Statistics

In May 2006, the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) reported average annual earnings of radiologic technologists were $48,000, the middle 50 percent had earnings between $39,500 and $58,000, and the lowest 10 percent had earnings less than $32,500, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $68,500.

Related Occupations: The work of radiologic technologists and radiologists involves working with sophisticated diagnostic equipment to assist dentists, physicians and other health practitioners diagnose and treat patients. The following occupations are related: radiation therapists, respiratory therapists, cardiovascular technicians and technologists, clinical laboratory technicians and technologists, nuclear medicine technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers.


Becoming a Radiologist - Technician - Schools and Colleges

There are an excellent number of choices for becoming a Radiologist. Online schools and colleges now provide the same curriculum as the traditional education. Learning online provides you with so much more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and current employment. We include our top recommendations for schools and classes where you can take training to become a Radiologist.


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