X-ray technicians usually work in the radiology department.
X-ray technicians are also known as radiological technicians or radiographers. Their job involves performing diagnostic imaging examinations such as X-rays that physicians use to diagnose medical problems. Employment in the field was projected by the Bureau for Labor Statistics to grow faster than average over the 2008 to 2018 period. Formal training is required before you can be employed as an X-ray technician.
Basic Entrance Qualification
Training for an X-ray technician is required. Typically, you need a certificate, an associate or a bachelor's degree in order to work as an X-ray technician. Certificate programs usually take up to 24 months. You will need a high school diploma or its equivalent in order to be admitted to a radiology program. Some programs with limited enrollment will base their admission on your high school grade point average, or even placement testing.
Program Accreditation
Formal training programs for an X-ray technician are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. As of 2009, the committee had accredited 213 programs that led to a certificate, 397 associate degree programs and 35 bachelor's degrees. Graduating from an accredited school's program is required to practice as an X-ray technician. Laws protect the public from the dangers of unnecessary exposure to medical radiation by ensuring radiographers are properly trained.
Courses
An X-ray technician student receives classroom as well as clinical instructions in various courses, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, radiological procedures, radiation physics, radiation safety and radiologic procedures. Students also learn use medical imaging equipment to produce images, which are then used by physicians to diagnose illnesses.
Specialization
Specialization is not compulsory, but it can serve as a competitive advantage. You can specialize in magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, computer tomography, or CT, mammography and ultrasound. These medical imaging techniques are used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures. However, they require different techniques to diagnose illnesses. These additional skills will help you get ahead in your career as an X-ray technician.
Tags: X-ray technician, certificate associate, diagnose illnesses, Formal training, high school, medical imaging
