Radiology technicians play an important role in the medical field by helping to diagnose and treat illnesses. This career path requires a lot of education, training, and certification. There are also many job duties that must be completed on a daily basis. While there are many pros to this career, there are also a few cons that should be taken into consideration.
Diagnostic tests and procedures are taught to radiology majors. Radiology experts interact closely with physicians, scientists, and patients, taking X-rays and CAT scans, administering radiation treatments, and operating sophisticated devices.
Radiology jobs are primarily found in the healthcare field, although they can also be found in clinical research, equipment sales, and educational and training environments. This guide will give you an overview of the many concentrations, career options, and typical wages in the discipline of radiology.
1. What is An Radiology Tech?
A Radiology Tech is a medical professional who uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases. They work with patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, to help them get the care they need. Radiology Specialties
Radiology technicians, or radiographers, work in a number of specialties. They commonly specialize in one of these areas: Diagnostic Radiography Imaging Procedures, Nuclear Medicine Computed Tomography Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiology Physics, and Instrumentation Mammography Sonography. They are also known as radiologic technologists, diagnostic radiographers, and medical radiation technologists.
2. Education Requirements for Radiology Tech.
A high school diploma or GED is required to become a radiologic technician. If you are interested in becoming certified, you may need additional education. The majority of employers require that radiologic technicians hold an Associate’s Degree in Radiologic Technology or a Bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Science; this only applies to those seeking supervisory or administrative positions.
For those who wish to become certified, you should research the respective state’s certification requirements as these change from time to time. Many employers prefer applicants to have taken a specific set of courses before hiring them, but other employers will train new hires on specific company procedures and guidelines. Some states require radiologic technologists to hold the certification.
3. Tell About the Training of Radiology Tech
Most employers will provide training; however, some require that you receive your training at an accredited facility. The majority of employers prefer radiologic technicians to complete their training before beginning employment because it is the employer’s responsibility to train new hires on their specific guidelines and procedures. These types of things are usually not taught in schools; the most that an educational facility will teach you is how to prepare patients for exams. This requires radiologic technologists to complete a post-secondary training program.
4. Radiology Tech Certification
There are several certification options available, which include: First Aid and CPR, Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), BLS for Healthcare Providers, and/or IV certification. In most cases, the certification is specific to state or federal law.
5. Radiology Tech Job Duties
Radiologic technicians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient facilities, doctors’ offices, and imaging centers. They specialize in conducting diagnostic imaging exams such as X-rays, cat scans, and MRIs. They may prepare patients by explaining the process and positioning them accordingly for exams, set up equipment, and secure patient identifiers such as wristbands before recording exam data in a database.
The radiologic technologist is responsible for preparing equipment used during procedures; they must be able to operate it and ensure that it works properly prior to examination. This may include checking x-ray machines, imaging equipment, and contrast materials. Radiologic technicians are also responsible for controlling the radiation dose that patients receive during exams. They take digital x-rays or pictures of parts of the patient’s body to help doctors diagnose what is wrong with them.
6. Common Skills for Becoming Radiology Tech
If your goal is to become a radiology technologist, you will be pursuing post-secondary education. There are a few essential skills that are necessary for becoming a radiology tech. First and foremost, strong technical skills are a must. Radiology techs need to be able to operate complex machinery, so having a background in engineering or science is extremely beneficial. Secondly, excellent communication and people skills are important, as radiology techs often have to interact with patients and physicians. Finally, the ability to stay calm under pressure is essential in this field, as there can be times when things get hectic.
7. Best College to Study Radiology Tech in the USA
Radiology tech is a great career choice for those who are interested in the medical field. It’s a challenging and rewarding job, and there are many great colleges that offer radiology tech programs. Here are five of the best colleges for radiology tech:
1. Johns Hopkins University: Johns Hopkins University is one of the best schools in the country, and it offers an excellent radiology tech program.
2. University of Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh has a top-rated radiology tech program, and it’s one of the most affordable schools on this list.
3. Baylor College of Medicine: Baylor College of Medicine offers an excellent radiology tech program that is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
4. University of Illinois: The University of Illinois offers a high-quality radiology tech program that’s relatively affordable and is well known throughout the country.
5. Boston University: Boston University is one of the best schools in the nation and offers an excellent and affordable radiology technology program at its medical school campus.
8. Best Radiology Tech Courses
1. Gastrointestinal Tract Radiology
This course will cover all esophageal, stomach, and bowel imaging findings. All pathologies are covered in detail, including cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and achalasia. We’ll start with the esophagus, then go on to the stomach, bowel, and rectum. The findings of barium are also explained. Enteroclysis vs. enterography, Crohn’s disease vs. Ulcerative colitis, and abdominal vascular diseases The language are maintained simple, and there is no need to read a book to understand and memorize the material for exams. This course is finished!
2. Dental X-Ray’s Radiology Course
Learn the fundamentals of dental anatomy and how it appears on digital x-rays. Discover the three layers of a tooth as well as the several forms of dental radiography imaging. A simple, straightforward, and enjoyable method of learning dental radiography. This curriculum is ideal for anybody interested in pursuing a career in dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting.
3. Medical Image Classification using Tensorflow
AI integration with medical imaging is predicted to gain popularity since it allows technicians and radiologists to diagnose more quickly, more accurately, and with fewer errors. AI will also automate the time-consuming manual segmentation procedure, allowing technicians to quickly discover anomalies and speed up the treatment process. In addition, AI platforms for hospitals and health systems are being created to assist clinicians in making quick choices and improving patient outcomes.
4. Anatomy of the Chest, Neck, Abdomen, and Pelvis
All of the dissections in the films below are from people who donated their bodies to the Yale School of Medicine after they died so that their remains could be utilized to promote medical education and research.
The videos are organized into classic anatomical parts. Each video includes a set of learning objectives as well as a quick quiz at the conclusion. Each segment is followed by a quiz that covers the full area and allows you to test your knowledge.
5. Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Computed Tomography
The very first cardiac CT MOOC! Short videos, downloadable cases, and discussion boards can help you learn the basics of cardiac CT. The material meets level 1 criteria in Cardiac CT and is available in different languages.
6. Applied Anatomy of the Locomotor System
Learn about the construction and function of the human body’s bones, joints, and muscles. With multiple references to typical illnesses that may influence the locomotor system, this course bridges the gap between basic and clinical science topics.
9. How Much Radiology Tech Make?
Radiology tech can be a well-paying career path if you get the education and training needed to be successful. In May 2020, the average yearly wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $61,900. The bottom 10% of earners made less than $42,180, while the top 10% earned more than $92,660. The majority of radiologic and MRI technologists are full-time employees.
10. Pros and Cons of Becoming A Radiology Tech
There are both pros and cons that come along with being a radiologic technician. The pros of this career are the high pay, growth potential, and the fact that you will be able to help patients lead healthier lives by diagnosing health problems early on. You may also enjoy working in an environment with other professionals who are interested in helping people live healthier lives.
The cons of this career are that you may have to work odd hours when your facility is short-staffed, and some days you may be in the dark about your duties. You also need to enjoy working with technology because, in most cases, radiologic technologists use the equipment on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Being a Radiology Technician is not an easy job, but if you enjoy working with technology and helping people live healthier lives, it might be right for you. The main employers for radiologists include hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, and patient care facilities. Depending on their interests and aspirations, radiology graduates can pursue professions in business and consulting research and development and administrative services. The industries that regularly employ radiologic technologists and technicians are described in the following section.
