Radiology technicians use X-ray machines.
Radiology technicians are medical professionals who employ the use of X-ray machines to produce X-rays, or radiographs, that other medical professionals use for diagnosing diseases. After training and certification, most radiology technicians find employment in hospitals or doctors' offices while some start their own businesses. Radiology technicians spend lots of time on their feet while working in clean environments.
Starting Pay for Radiology Technicians
According to the American Medical Association, the 2007 entry-level salary for a radiographer (X-ray technician) was $41,612, with more experienced technicians earning significantly higher incomes. Salaries for X-ray technicians have increased steadily over the last five years. The average annual salary earned by an X-ray technician is around $48,000 with the top pay about $69,000.
What Do Radiology Technicians Do?
The duties of a radiology technician mainly include communicating to patients while preparing them for X-rays, properly configuring the X-ray machine so that the required quality images are produced, and positioning the patient so the desired body parts are imaged. With advanced training, a radiology technician can specialize in more complex medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and even nuclear medicine, making them more employable.
Become a Radiology Technician
The training required to become a radiology technician can vary from one to four years. The two-year program which earns an associate degree is the most popular. Graduates then get certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and may be required to get licensed depending on their state of residence. Management and administrative candidates opt for the four-year Bachelor of Science. Those with health care experience may take an accelerated one-year program.
Advantage of Becoming a Radiology Technician
With the entry-level salaries that new radiology technicians can expect, this choice of health care profession allows a person to begin earning a very livable wage in a relatively short amount of time. Once employed, the individual can pursue higher training and certifications while simultaneously gaining real work experience.
Prospects for Radiology Technicians
Employment opportunities for radiology technicians are bright. Positions as X-ray technicians are expected to increase 15 percent by 2016, a rate that is higher than the average across all industries. Increases in outpatient care will provide more opportunities outside of hospitals. X-ray technicians, similar to health care workers in general, are more recession-resistant than nonmedical careers. Multicredentialed X-ray techs, who are radiology professionals trained in a variety of imaging techniques, will enjoy added advantage.
Tags: health care, X-ray technicians, medical professionals, radiology technician, Radiology technicians, Radiology Technicians, radiology technicians
