Radiology Technologist: Your Career Options

By Joseph Vanburen


Nowadays, the field of radiology is quickly gaining new grounds as a very lucrative career. But of course, you first need to get proper training and education - enter radiology technician schools. It will be in this place that your solid foundation as a radiology technician will be honed to its finest, making you ready to face the challenges ahead of you. In this medical field, you can also serve as an x-ray technician, diagnostic medical sonographer, and many other related fields.

It is inside radiology technician schools that you will be provided training on a multitude of duties and responsibilities. Besides working with MRI and CT scanning equipment, students will also be able to learn how to perform fluoroscopies, accomplish work timetables, guide patients in the scanning process, ensure compliance with doctor's orders, and other related tasks. Patient and staff safety will also be given importance in their training, so as to make sure that exposure to radiation during scanning is minimized.

Radiology technician schools can help its students work in a decent and very rewarding career. Besides hospitals and medical clinics, radiology technicians can also work in nursing care facilities, mobile health care services and medical laboratories. Students also have the option to specialize in fields such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computerized Tomography). Other notable careers include working as a nuclear medicine technologist, diagnostic imaging specialist and cardiovascular technician.

There are also different paths a student can take in entering the field of radiology. Radiology technician schools often offer 3 types of degrees, and these are certificate or diploma programs, associate's degree and bachelor's degree. Students can expect a wide range of subjects to be taken up while enrolled in this program; examples are basic medical terminologies, physiology, radiobiology, pathology, medical ethics and patient care procedures. Clinical training is also given besides academic subjects.

After completing a particular program in radiology, you may also qualify to take what is called a licensure examination - having one also grants you better employment opportunities. Licenses are given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or ARRT for applicants who successfully complete the exam. In choosing from the many radiology technician schools, always take into consideration important factors such as financial status, educational background and schedules - it is this crucial choice that will help you achieve your dreams.




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