Radiology Technician: High Tech Healthcare Career
 Being a radiology
technician entails the operation of x-ray equipment on patients and produce radiographic images of
different areas of the body. A wide range of disease and disorders can be detected by means of this
diagnostic imaging procedure, and can be of significant value for doctors since it is through these
images that they are able to make accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendation. A radiology tech
is also known in the medical field as x-ray technician, although he may also be qualified to operate
other equipment such as CT and MRI.
With the help of controlled radiation, radiology techs are able to produce black and white images of
the internal areas of the body. Since you are working with radiation, the safety of the patient and
yourself is always prioritized. This involves placing protective material over the exposed areas of
the body or minimizing the amount of radiation beam being emitted by the x-ray machine. Using
shielding devices and gear made of lead will help control exposure from the harmful effects of
radiation. It will be your responsibility to properly position patients and guide them through the
rest of the imaging procedure so that everything will go on smoothly and efficiently.
Getting qualified to work as a radiology tech requires the successful completion of an accredited
training program offered in radiology technician schools, which includes colleges, universities,
select hospital, technical institutions, and the military as well. Depending on the radiology jobs
you will be applying for, you will be required to acquire at least a certificate, an associate, or a
bachelor’s degree. These programs have varying levels of instruction, training, and time of
completion. Certificate degree is the quickest route to this career, while bachelor’s degree can
offer the best job opportunities. The associate’s degree is the most commonly taken route for this
career.
Regardless of which training route you choose to pursue, you can expect to take up classes such as
medical terminology, human anatomy, physiology, principles of radiology, patient care, and radiology
physics. Besides lecture and class hours, your program will also include an internship so that you
will have a first-hand experience in using and maintaining x-ray equipment properly and caring for
patients. After you have completed your training program, you may also opt to apply for
certification with the American Registry of Radiology Technologists (ARRT). Only individuals who
graduate from an ARRT-accredited program will be eligible for taking the ARRT certification exam.
Should you choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you can move on to become a radiology technologist.
As a radiologic technologist, you will be qualified to perform more complex procedures such as
fluoroscopy. You may then be able to specialize in areas of sonography such as computed tomography
(CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mammography. If you wish to be eligible for better
radiology salary, then you must focus on setting your credentials as high as possible. With a
complete training program, certification, experience, and continuing education, you can work your
way to high-paying positions such as radiology supervisor, administrator, or director.
|
