Radiologic Technician

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Become A Radiologic Technician

Would you like to work with patients to diagnose illness, without having to attend medical school? Have you ever been fascinated by an x-ray of the human body? If you're a detail-oriented person who would love to work in health care, you should consider a career as a radiologic technician.

Radiologic Technician in a Nutshell

Radiologic technicians, also called radiographers, take and develop x-rays of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems. Typical responsibilities include:

explaining the procedure to patients
positioning patients precisely
covering superfluous limbs and tissue with protection, such as lead shields
on occasion, injecting non-radioactive fluids into patients' bloodstreams to examine soft tissues in the body

Once an area has been selected for x-ray and correctly positioned, radiographers place the x-ray film under the body part, expose it to radiation and then develop it.

Education Requirements for Radiologic Technicians

Hospitals are the largest employers of radiologic technicians, and they prefer to hire candidates with formal training. Training programs are offered by hospitals, vocational institutes, colleges and universities, and the US armed forces. Training programs vary, depending on your prior experience and career goals:

One-year certificate programs are often geared towards people from other health care professions who are looking to change fields, or for experienced radiographers who wish to specialize in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT).
Associate's degrees are often earned within 2 years, and provide a good entrance into the profession for those without prior experience.
Bachelor's and master's degree in radiologic technology are geared towards individuals seeking supervisory, administrative or teaching roles.

These programs require, at minimum, a high school diploma or the equivalent. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredits most formal training programs for the field.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certifies radiologic technicians in 38 states. While certification is voluntary, employers generally prefer to hire those with certification. To be eligible for this certification, you must graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. To renew certification, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years.

Day in the Life of a Radiologic Technician

Radiologic technicians generally work a 40-hour week in hospitals or private facilities such as diagnostic laboratories or physician's offices. Physical stamina is prized because radiographers often work with disabled or weakened patients, and must lift or adjust them when necessary. The job also entails prolonged periods of standing. Although radiation hazards exist, risk is limited by the use of lead aprons and instruments that monitor radiation exposure.

Job Growth for Radiologic Technicians

The demand for radiologic technicians is expected to intensify as baby boomers begin to experience age-related cancers and illnesses. Because of this, employment for radiographers is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014.