How To Become A Radiology Technician

Radiology Technician Training/Certification | Radiology Technician Schools | Radiology Technician Salary | Radiology Technician Skills

Radiology Technician Requirements | Radiology Technician Programs | How To Become A Radiology Technician

Medical facilities such as hospitals, physician practices, and diagnostic imaging centers are where you find Radiology technicians. They are responsible for prepping patients and using radiological imaging appliances to take x-rays that are ordered by doctors, usually of bones but the equipment available isn’t limited to that. CT scans and mammograms are advanced uses of radiology.

Demand for Radiology personnel is in demand and someone that is looking into that field will have positions available but most states require a Radiology Technician has to pass The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination along with successfully passing an accredited program to be certified. When the choice is made to become a Radiology Technician, one has to investigate the options for education in the Radiology field.

Different programs in different institutions may have different prerequisites for acceptance, such as completed credits in biology, chemistry and math. The best place to look for accredited programs is at vocational schools, community colleges and universities that offer a two or four year degree program in basic radiologic procedures.

There are some one year programs out there but they are geared to those who are already in the medical field and seeking to change their specialty or advance in their current radiology position such as CT Scans and Mammograms.

The minimum education standard for a Radiology Technician is an Associate’s Degree from an accredited school or a special program accredited by The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology. There are other factors to consider when making the decision to enroll in a program, like cost and Financial Aid. State schools are usually lower in tuition if you are a resident, some scholarships and grants may be available for private schools.

You will have to carefully analyze the costs of going to school and being marketable for a field in demand, along with if the program assists in internships and job placement and if they are affiliated with local hospitals and medical facilities. This experience will be invaluable when the graduate is looking for employment.

Once a position is secured a Radiology technician will want to gain additional experience and continue their education in order to advance in the field, in areas such as teaching or supervising and that can achieved by gaining more experience and advanced education.