A radiologic technician, or tech, is a health-care professional who specializes in imaging examinations to diagnose disease or injury in patients. An x-ray tech is simply a type of radiologic tech.
X-Ray Tech
An x-ray tech produces x-rays called radiographs. These images are created by passing ionizing radiation through parts of the body using an x-ray generating machine.
Other Types of Radiologic Techs
Other specialists in the radiologic tech field include mammographers, who produce image of the breast; CT (computer tomography) techs, who use computer-assisted scanning; and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technologists, who use non-ionizing radio frequency to produce 3D images.
Work Environment
Most radiologic techs work in hospitals, physicians' offices, and medical and diagnostic laboratories.
Education
Although most radiologic techs have an associate's degree, some employers prefer to hire those with a bachelor's degree.
Salary
In 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that radiologic techs made an average annual salary of $53,230.
Tags: radiologic techs, radiologic tech, x-ray tech
