Radiology technicians are health care professionals who work in radiology, assisting doctors in performing, reading and reporting on x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other nuclear medicine techniques used to diagnose diseases and injuries. The minimum educational requirement to become a radiology technician is an associate degree and most radiology technicians receive certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Radiologic Technology Training Programs
There are 25 radiology technology and radiology related training programs in the state of Washington. They offer training for beginners at the associates and bachelor's degree levels as well as a number of certificate training programs for health care workers who want to pick up a new skill or specialization. (See Resources below to search for a radiology technology school near you in the state of Washington.)
Tacoma Community College
Tacoma Community College offers an associate in applied sciences (AAS) degree in its eight-quarter radiologic sciences program. At the end of the program, students are eligible to take the ARRT national certification examination and ready to work. Students may also wish to transfer to a bachelor's degree program in radiologic sciences. The total tuition cost is about $7,500, excluding fees.
Seattle University
Seattle University offers a bachelor's degree in diagnostic ultrasound, which prepares students for a career in diagnostic medical sonography, a specialty in radiology technology. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, (CAAHEP). As part of the program, students engage in a 12-month, 40 hours per week clinical internship to gain valuable experience. Tuition is about $28,000 per year.
Certification and Practice in the State of Washington
In order to be certified by the ARRT, a radiology technologist must meet ethics, education and examination requirements. The certification fee is $150 for a first-time applicant. (See Resources below for details on the certification requirements.) Upon certification, you still need to be licensed in Washington to practice. The application fee for that is $45. (See Resources for get your state license.)
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks radiology technologist as a job with a faster than average growth rate. The number of available jobs is expected to increase by 15 percent between 2006 and 2016. This is in part due to an aging population and an increased need for diagnostic imaging. The middle 50 percent of radiologic technologists in the U.S. in 2006 earned between $39,840 and $57,940.
Tags: bachelor degree, radiology technology, Community College, health care, program students, radiologic sciences
