X-rays provide valuable diagnostic information.
To work as a radiologic technologist in Alabama you must complete an accredited educational program and pass a nationally recognized examination for radiographers. Educational programs are typically 2 years in duration. To be successful in this career, you need good communication skills, an empathetic attitude toward others, and a reasonably strong aptitude for math and science. Because of potential exposure to ionizing radiation, you must be at least 18 years old to study or work in the field of radiology.
Instructions
1. Apply to your local college, university, or vocational school for admission to the institution. Alabama has nearly a dozen schools with radiogaphy programs; see the resources section for a list. Complete the application package for the radiography program. Some programs require completion of prerequisite courses before beginning core program material. Radiography programs may have open enrollment or selective admission. With selective admission, your academic standing and preparedness to enter the program may be compared to that of other applicants.
2. Enroll in and successfully complete all required coursework. Courses vary by institution, but required minimum competency is standardized by the JRCERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology), the national accreditation agency. This ensures that a graduate of any radiography program will be sufficiently competent to perform the entry-level duties of a radiographer anywhere in the United States. Course work common to radiography programs includes: anatomy and physiology, patient care, image production and evaluation, radiation protection, and clinical education. Clinical education is typically 1200 to 2000 contact hours of observing, assisting, and performing radiologic examinations in hospitals and other medical facilities, under the supervision of clinical preceptors.
3. Contact the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and request an application to take the registry exam. Complete the application form. You will be required to provide a letter or verification of competency from your educational program and a passport-quality photo of yourself. Take the examination. You will receive your results in 4 to 6 weeks. Once registered by the ARRT, you are eligible to work as an entry-level radiographer in Alabama. Some states require you to have a state license to work as a radiographer. Alabama does not.
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