If you are interested in how to become a radiology technician or radiologic technologist to use the correct professional terminology, we are here to help answer any questions you may have.
What is Radiology?
Radiology is the branch of the medical profession that uses various forms of radiation in the form of x-rays, MRI and other scans to help diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer. It is the study of the human body in terms of pictures. The pictures differ depending on what form of technology is used to take them. In the old days radiologists were primarily involved in taking and interpreting x-rays and using radiation. Modern science has taken advantage of the technology advances just like every other industry out there. Now a radiologist and his or her team of radiology technicians will deal with everything from an x-ray on a broken leg to an MRI or CT scan of brain cancer.
Radiology no longer relies solely on radiation. An MR uses magnetic fields to help diagnose problems. It can involve patients having to sit or lie in enclosed spaces leading to a feeling of claustrophobia. The radiologist has to have great people skills to put the patient at ease as currently more than 5% of these procedures are cancelled due to patient discomfort or stress.
Ultrasound doesn’t use radiation making it safe for pregnant women. These technologies rely on the interpretation of sound waves instead similar to the techniques used to determine the weather but hopefully with a little more accuracy! One specialty students who want to become radiology technicians can pursue is obstetrics.
Radiology is also used for minor medical procedures where the imaging system is used to inject dyes or other substances into the body so the results can be analyzed in a specific way. It is also used in the treatment of cancer but the medical staff who administer this type of treatment are highly specialized as even a tiny mistake could do a lot of serious damage to the patient.
Radiology isn’t just used in medicine. Some students will end up working in industry and of course in sales selling the machinery and technology used by radiology technicians.
What does a Radiology technician do?
A radiology technician will work very closely with a medical team of doctors and specialists. For this reason the most successful will be detail orientated and very comfortable working in a team environment. You will also be physically fit as this type of work can involve lifting patients, moving equipment and being on your feet for long periods of time.
Generally he will work at a hospital although some of the larger medical centers have radiologists on site. He will receive a referral from the doctors and using his skills, knowledge and experience obtain the best results from either an ordinary x-ray or if he has progressed in his studies, he may use MRI or CT scanning too.
An experienced radiologist will usually specialize in a particular field. He or she may pursue a career in Sonography and work in obstetrics with pregnant ladies. Alternatively they may specialize in CT scans working in 2 or more commonly 3D. MRI scanning is another popular choice. If you want to be at the cutting edge of your career, you may pursue a path involving nuclear medicine. The choices and learning opportunities don’t just stop when you leave college.
The radiology technician must be well educated. Not only does have to understand medical terminology but he or she also has to have at least a basic understanding of medical conditions. This material will be covered in training school. The course is varied as in addition to the basic medical knowledge, the x-ray technician needs to have a complete understanding of how the x-ray imaging process works and any issues that may arise.
There are very strict controls in the USA regarding the use of any equipment that releases radiation. The Radiology teams have to be vigilant and monitor all levels of radiation including the amount they are exposed to and the levels affecting their patients.
Finally a good radiologist is a skilled communicator. He has to work closely with the patient who understandably can be feeling extremely ill or nervous or both. He must explain what is going to happen and preparing them in such a way as to achieve the best result. He has the dual responsibility of keeping the patient as comfortable as possible while retrieving the data the medical team needs in order to treat the patient and hopefully return them to full health.
What kind of Training do I need to become a Radiology Technician?
You need to attend college and complete at the minimum a Certificate which will take between 18 and 24 months but preferably a four year course resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree. A large gap developed between the number of jobs and the number of qualified radiologists in recent years which in turn, given the state of the economy, has lead more people to look at this field for a career.
This has meant that some tech schools are oversubscribed and it is no longer enough to meet the academic entry requirements. You may have to jump through another few hoops to be selected. It will help your application if you have some medical education experience, your CPR certification and a clean criminal record. Being fit and healthy will also add points in your favor.
When training to become a radiology technician selecting the right course is extremely important, not just for the education but also for the reputation of the College. The qualifications from some x-ray tech schools are so highly thought of you are almost guaranteed a job when you graduate.
Look for courses that combine practical experience with classroom knowledge. While you obviously need to learn how to use the technical machinery and you need to know biology, anatomy and the other subjects you also need to put your new knowledge into action. It is only by working with the general public and seeing real medical cases being treated that you will learn how the job is done. A course that allows you access to a hospital or medical center is much better than one that relies solely on learning theory. Also the experience gained will make your CV look much better when it comes to finding employment. You may even be offered a job by the hospital where you did part of your training.
Look for a course that is recognized by the ARRT and when you have qualified make sure you pass the certificate and register. This will help to prove to your potential employer that you are serious about your career and may secure you a job.
What will I learn in radiology technician courses?
Regardless of whether you choose the certificate or degree your course will cover things such as learning how to use the different types of x-rays. You will also learn about anatomy and physiology, illness and disease, correct positioning, communication and other topics. Communication is huge as you will spend so much time working directly with the general public. In fact some courses make you sit a public speaking course as part of the curriculum on the basis that once you pass this type of test you won’t find speaking to anyone intimidating. It is not just the general public you have to communicate with. You will also have to work closely with a team of medical personnel some of who may be very specialized and experienced and they may find taking answers from a radiologist a little difficult!
You will also have to learn all about radiation and not just how to use it to obtain vital images. There are very strict controls over radiation levels in the USA and everyone working in this field has to be vigilant. Your course will cover how best to protect yourself and the patient, how to gauge radiation levels and what to do if they become too high. Radiation protection is a huge part of the course.
You will not get any in-depth coverage of any specialized subjects such as MRI, CT or sonography but will learn enough to know whether these types of specialization would be of interest. You can then decide whether you wish to pursue your study in a particular field.
The training to become a radiologist makes you a great all rounder but if you want to earn the higher salaries you really need to specialize in Oncology or a similar field.
Where do radiologist technicians work?
Radiologist technicians work in all the same places as you would find doctors and nurses. So you could get a job in a hospital, medical center or in the Armed Forces. Some will work in the x-ray department taking images of broken bones and related injuries, interpreting the results and assisting the doctors in treating the patients.
Others who have more advanced training will work in mobile units such as the breast screening services. Studies show that early mammograms and ultrasounds can save lives currently being lost to breast cancer. The radiologists working in this field will have specialized in this area when training.
Others will work with MRI scanning and CTs. Again they will have completed additional training modules in these areas and will use their knowledge to help treat patients from Oncology to those affected by strokes or disabilities caused by diabetes and other illnesses.
Some radiologist technicians who have completed their sonography training will work in maternity units. They will monitor pregnant ladies and will specialize in early and late scans of the fetus and surrounding area.
If you would prefer to work in industry you can find a job working with the manufacturers of the machinery used by radiologists, in the food industry or in sales of medical equipment. Some have used their knowledge to work in Archeology so don’t think you are limited to working as a radiology technician in your local hospital.
Some animal lovers will move into the Veterinary field and use their knowledge on animals instead.
No matter where you work you will need to keep your education and skills updated as the medical field is changing all the time. Technology plays a huge part in this line of work and new computer aids and the results of medical experiments mean that new techniques are being developed to replace old ones.
This is one of the reasons why the ARRT insist their members keep up with continuing education and reregister on an annual basis.
What is the job outlook for radiologist technicians?
There are plenty of jobs available for well qualified radiologist technicians although they may be harder to find than before. With the economy being what it is, fewer people are moving jobs now. They are inclined to stay in their current job for fear of being replaced if they were to move to another role where they would be the new person.
That being said, the field of radiology is expanding all the time. More advancement in technology has resulted in a real growth area for those qualified radiologists who are willing to do additional study. The job is so specialized that it is difficult to see how it would be taken over by computers. Certainly technology has improved the working conditions and results achieved by most radiologists but it hasn’t replaced their main role. Diagnostic equipment is very necessary but one that has empathy with human emotions has yet to be developed.
The usual advice on how to increase your prospects of employment applies. You should gain top marks while in college and preferably graduate with an honors degree. While studying you should gain as much hands on experience in related fields as possible. So if you want to work in pediatric units volunteer at your local children’s hospital.
Keeping yourself fit and healthy is another factor to help you win at interviews. Given the nature of the job, if a hospital or medical center has two applicants with similar qualifications and experience they will choose the one who is healthier. A radiologist technician spends a lot of time standing. They also move around a lot lifting patients and/or equipment so you cannot afford to be lacking in fitness.
If you are struggling to find employment think outside the box and try to find something that distinguishes you from the other candidates. Keep up your registration at the American Registry of Radiology Technologists as they can offer help and assistance in your quest to find employment.