Medical Training for Health

Archive for the ‘Radiology Technician’ Category

A career in radiography entitles you to administer medical imaging and work with X-rays. A successful career as a radiography technician lies heavily in the the proper amount of education, certification and experience.

The coursework is known to be rather challenging, but a radiography license can be obtained in a shorter amount of time than many other professions in the medical field. Careful preparation and dedication will be key factors in becoming a radiography technician.

1. Build a solid academic foundation by studying relative life sciences in high school, such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and physical education. Seek the guidance of a school counselor who can help you determine which courses would prepare you for a career in radiography.

2. Apply to a 1-4 year program in radiography or radiation therapy that provides both classroom and clinical instruction.  Tuition cost, location, prerequisites and admission criteria are options you will want to consider before coming to a decision.

3. Complete the coursework and clinical requirements. Clinicals enable you to gain hands-on experience in radiology labs at different healthcare facilities. Most medical imaging schools offer an associate’s degree to technician students upon completion of at least a two-year course. Read the rest of this entry »

A radiography technician (also called a “radiographer,” “radiologic technologist” or “radiologic technician”) is a health care professional who performs diagnostic imaging.

Job Description
1. Radiography techs perform a range of imaging examinations, typically including X-ray, magnetic resonance and computed tomography. They also prepare patients for examination and perform administrative duties.

Requirements
2. Several hundred radiography training programs exist in the U.S., and they typically result in either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Most states require radiography techs to be licensed.

Benefits
3. Advancement opportunities exist for radiography techs. Radiography techs typically work in clean, well-lit environments.

Drawbacks
4. Radiography can be exhausting work due to long periods of standing and the lifting and transporting of patients. Radiography techs also often work with very sick patients and must deal with the emotional stress in a medical setting. They must also deal with the risk associated with radiation exposure.

Compensation
5. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologic technologists had in May 2008 a median annual salary of $52,210.