Radiology technologist is the entry-level position for a clinical radiology career.
There are two basic paths to entering the field of radiology. On the clinical side, radiology technologists handle the day-to-day technical aspects of taking patient X-rays as ordered by physicians. They also, through advanced training, are responsible for other imaging techniques that utilize technology other than radiation, such as magnetic resonance imaging --- MRI --- and ultrasound. A non-clinical option to entering the radiology field is becoming a radiology clerk, who is responsible for filing, retrieval and documentation of medical images such as X-ray films and microfilm.
Radiology File Clerk
Depending on the facility in which a radiology clerk works, he may be responsible for a variety of duties, including receptionist tasks like answering phones, greeting patients and performing administrative functions. However, the main duty of a radiology clerk is filing and cataloging images. X-ray films must be cataloged and stored, and radiology clerks perform these duties. They also may handle filing of other imaging methods such as MRI and CT scans, although many of these images are stored only on a computer database. A high school diploma generally is the only prerequisite for becoming a radiology clerk, and the experience can provide a solid foundation for further study and advancement as a radiology technologist.
Radiology Technologist
Radiology technologists often are called radiology technicians, although, technically, a radiology technician is someone who repairs radiology equipment. Many colleges that offer radiology tech training refer to their programs as "technician" programs. A radiology tech in the clinical sense means a radiology technologist, who is trained to take X-rays of patients per doctor orders and produce films for a physician's review. They prepare patients for X-rays and position patients to ensure that the resulting film provides doctors with the desired images. Advanced training prepares radiology techs to perform procedures such as computed tomography, or CT, scans, fluoroscopies and mammographies. Non-radiation imaging methods also can be performed by radiology techs, including ultrasound and MRI.
Education & Training
Radiology technologists typically earn an associate degree in radiology technology prior to entering the work force. Certificate and diploma programs also are available, and some radiology techs earn bachelor's degrees. Employers generally prefer a minimum of an associate degree, although many hospitals and other health-care facilities will provide additional training for those who possess a radiology technologist certificate. Employers look for techs who completed their education through programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Although certification isn't mandatory, employers take into account such credentials. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists provides certification exams, and each state has its own licensing or certification requirements.
Salary
Hospitals are the largest employers of radiology technologists, providing work for 214,700 rad techs in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hospital radiology techs made a median salary of $52,890 and the national median pay rate for all radiology technicians was $52,210. The middle 50th percentile salary range was $42,710 to $63,010, with a 10th percentile salary of $35,100 and a 90th percentile figure of $74,970. Medical and diagnostic laboratories paid the highest median radiology tech salary, at $55,210.
Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a job-growth rate of 17 percent for radiology techs through 2018. Hospitals will continue to be the major employers of rad techs, but an increasing number of private companies and physician offices are providing imaging services. Issues in health care insurance regarding reimbursable imaging procedures could impact the radiology technologist job market.
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