What Are the Requirements to Be a Radiologic Technologist

Upon completion of a two-year radiological technology program, you are generally eligible to write the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) X-ray examination. A high school diploma or GED is usually the only education you need to enroll in a radiology technologist program, although programs may require a minimum GPA. You should weigh a number of factors when considering radiology technologist programs and ask a lot of questions. Here are some of the most important ones. Not sure which degree you need to advance your career in medical imaging? Here`s a look at what you can do with a bachelor`s degree in medical imaging. Before we dive into the options and requirements for Rad Tech training, let`s take a look at what bike technicians do. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiology technologists had a median annual salary of $74,690 in 2020. The bottom 10% of bike technicians earned less than $52,880 and the richest 10% earned more than $92,660. Learn more about when certifications need to be renewed and how to maintain them by consulting the RRRT`s continuing education requirements.

According to a recent survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the average national salary for radiology technologists in 2013 was $62,763 per year. Junior radiology students (with two years or less of experience) earned an average of $45,878 per year. Technologists who work in specialties such as computed tomography or MRI usually earn more. The roles of a radiology technologist make it a very practical profession. You will benefit from a program where you can practice procedures in a comfortable and supportive environment under the supervision of helpful and easily accessible instructors. Certifications are essential to becoming any type of medical imaging technologist or technician. This is often the last step for many aspiring radiology technologists, as these roles usually require no work experience. According to data from Emsi Burning Glass, 62% of radiological technology job postings do not have experience requirements listed in the advertisement. Registered radiology technologists must obtain an associate or higher degree from a hospital program or accredited educational institution and pass a national certification examination. To remain enrolled, they must also earn 24 training credits every two years. The largest certification authority, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, has more than 300,000 registrants®. Salaries for radiology technologists are competitive with those of other health professionals with similar educational backgrounds.

Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to see current trends in T.T. wages. Specific course requirements vary from program to program. To give you an idea of what it takes to become a radiology technologist, here`s a brief overview of the courses for NWHSU`s Radiology Technology program: Getting the right education is the first step to a rewarding career as a radiology technologist. Regis College`s undergraduate medical imaging program is specifically designed for registered and recordable technologists in all medical imaging modalities. The following steps represent the most direct route to the radiology technologist: most full-time radiology technologists work about 40 hours per week; They may have evening, weekend or waking hours. There are also opportunities for part-time and shift work. Although the trend for this occupation is expected growth of around 7% from 2019 to 2029, competition for radiology technologist jobs is still expected to be fierce, especially in regions with low employment concentrations. Those who want to pursue the career successfully must be prepared to work hard in the educational program of their choice, which means extensive study and networking with other professionals in the field.

The most common way to become a radiology technologist is through an associate`s degree program. Find out about your class sizes. Your preparation to become a radiology technologist should involve a considerable amount of practical work. Smaller classes make it much easier to receive valuable personal attention as you learn imaging skills and procedures. Whichever option you choose, once you meet your training needs as a radiologist and have been certified and licensed, you`ll be part of an in-demand career where those with experience often earn an annual salary of more than $60,000, according to the 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Radiology technician, commonly referred to as radiology technician or radiologist, Position patients for imaging, collaborate with interdisciplinary clinicians and educate patients about the process. Becoming a radiology technologist can be a relatively quick process, but that doesn`t mean it`s not a rewarding career. Here are some of the benefits of becoming an X-ray technologist/technician. Hospitals, which employ the most radiology technologists, prefer to hire those with formal training and national certification. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists contains information on certification.

X-ray technologists must earn an associate`s degree or bachelor`s degree to be eligible for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). There are no national licensing requirements for radiology technologists, although many states have their own licensing procedures. However, salaries may vary depending on the workplace. The top 10 percent of radiology technologists earn more than $92,660, with the highest paid typically working in ambulatory care centers, according to the BLS. The bottom 10% earn $42,180. In this guide, we`ll explain what a radiology technician does, how you can become one, what the education requirements are, your salary potential, and everything you need to know to decide if this career is right for you! If you are successful, you will become a Certified X-ray Radiology Technologist – the most common way to enter the profession. (Note that there are other paths. Contact ARRT for more information.) An associate degree will certainly help aspiring radiology technologists get an entry-level position, but it will only get you so far.

Those hoping for professional growth and advancement should consider pursuing a bachelor`s degree. As the baby boomer population continues to age, age-related illnesses and injuries will continue to increase. For example, seniors are prone to falls that lead to bone fractures, and employers need more X-ray technicians for non-invasive imaging. The highest-paid states are not necessarily those with the highest levels of employment. These concentration values are listed below, from highest to lowest. The following states have this number of registered radiology technologists (BLS May 2020): Step 2: Apply for and complete an accredited bachelor`s degree program in radiology technology (two to four years): Radiology technologists can earn an associate degree or bachelor`s degree to be eligible for ARRT certification. As of June 2021, all applicants for ARRT certification in radiography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound must be graduates of a school accredited by an organization recognized by the ARRT. A complete list of these accreditation bodies is available from ARRT.

Population ageing contributes to this demand. But more generally, radiology technologists have highly valued skills that are needed in a variety of health care settings. Step 3: Apply for certification and registration with ARRT (schedule varies): As mentioned earlier, there are no national licensing requirements for radiology technologists, although many states have their own licensing process. If you wanted to join health care, but had concerns about the time and cost that might be required for a bachelor`s degree or higher, the path to becoming a radiology technologist might be a good choice for you. As a radiology technologist, you will likely have the opportunity to work both during the day and outside of this period. This is good news if you find that night or weekend shifts work better for you. Now that we have a common understanding of what bike technicians do, let`s look at the training requirements to become one.