Radiology Technician: Salary, Training, Courses, Certification

Nature of the Work

Radiology technicians are a vital part of health care teams across the U.S., and their services are in demand in a variety of medical settings. Radiology technicians also specialize in a number of areas under the umbrella of diagnostic imaging.

Radiologic technicians, sometimes referred to as radiographers, produce x-ray films (radiographs) of parts of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems. They prepare patients for radiologic examinations by explaining the procedure, removing jewelry and other articles through which x rays cannot pass, and positioning patients so that the parts of the body can be appropriately radiographed. To prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation, these workers surround the exposed area with radiation protection devices, such as lead shields, or limit the size of the x-ray beam. Radiographers position radiographic equipment at the correct angle and height over the appropriate area of a patient’s body. Using instruments similar to a measuring tape they may measure the thickness of the section to be radiographed and set controls on the x-ray machine to produce radiographs of the appropriate density, detail, and contrast.

In addition to preparing patients and operating equipment, radiologic technologists and technicians keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. They also may prepare work schedules, evaluate purchases of equipment, or manage a radiology department.

Work Environment

Most full-time radiologic technologists and technicians work about 40 hours a week. They may, however, have evening, weekend, or on-call hours. Some radiologic technologists and technicians work part time for more than one employer; for those, travel to and from facilities must be considered.

Radiologic technologists prepare patients for radiologic examinations by explaining the procedures, removing jewelry, and positioning patients.

Education and Training

Formal training programs in radiography lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree is the most prevalent form of educational attainment among radiologic technologists and technicians. Some may receive a certificate. Certificate programs typically last around 21-24 months.

Licensure

Federal legislation protects the public from the hazards of unnecessary exposure to medical and dental radiation by ensuring that operators of radiologic equipment are properly trained. However, it is up to each State to require licensure of radiologic technologists. Most States require licensure for practicing radiologic technologists. Licensing requirements vary by State; for specific requirements contact your State’s health board.

Advancement

With experience and additional training, staff technologists may become specialists, performing CT scanning, MR, mammography, or bone densitometry. Technologists also may advance, with additional education and certification, to become a radiologist assistant. The ARRT offers specialty certification in many radiologic specialties as well as a credentialing for radiologist assistants.

Experienced technologists also may be promoted to supervisor, chief radiologic technologist, and, ultimately, department administrator or director. Depending on the institution, courses or a master’s degree in business or health administration may be necessary for the director’s position.

Some technologists progress by specializing in the occupation to become instructors or directors in radiologic technology educational programs; others take jobs as sales representatives or instructors with equipment manufacturers.

Employment

Radiologic technologists held about 214,700 jobs in 2008. About 61 percent of all jobs were in hospitals. Most other jobs were in offices of physicians; medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers; and outpatient care centers.

Job Outlook

There is projected to be a 17 percent increase between 2008 and 2018 in the employment of radiology technologists, or those radiographers who are qualified to perform the more advanced diagnostic radiology procedures, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This projected growth is faster than the average of all other careers from which the government gathers statistics. Those radiographers who are trained in performing several procedures—such as CT (CAT) scans, MRIs and mammograms—will experience the most career options, the BLS points out.

Salary Prospects

In May 2009, radiology technologists took home an average salary of $54,210, according to the BLS, which means the average wage for the middle 50 percent was somewhere between $44,710 and $65,010. However, the highest-paid 10 percent took home more than $77,970. In 2009, the five industries employing the largest numbers of radiology technologists were medical and diagnostic labs; the federal executive branch; general and medical surgical hospitals; outpatient care centers; and doctor’s offices. Of those five industries, those employed by medical and diagnostic labs received the highest salaries on average.