Radiology

Radiology professionals use radiographic procedures to help physicians diagnose disease and injury. They use equipment that requires a high level of skill to operate. By calculating machines correctly, the Radiologic Technologist facilitates the delivery of appropriate amounts of radiation to selected areas of the human body. During the procedures, the Radiologic Technologist monitors the patient’s condition and reaction to radiographic procedures.

The technique of the technologist is critical in helping the radiologist (physician specializing in radiology) make an accurate diagnosis. In addition to performing procedures, the technologist educates patients, and maintains the equipment and patient records. Radiology services are provided to people of all ages in hospitals, operating rooms, outpatient clinics and physician offices. Radiology professionals can oversee the implementation of new technology, provide direct patient care or manage an entire radiology department, including its budget and personnel.

Specialties: Some Radiologic Technologists take additional training to enable them to perform specialized procedures.  

• Ultrasound Technologists work with a machine that emits high - frequency sound waves over sections of a patient’s body. While watching the images on a video screen, these technologists use their knowledge of anatomy to locate the correct body area such as the heart or kidney.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologists use MRI equipment to produce cross-sectional images of a patient’s body. This equipment uses magnets and radio waves instead of x-rays to create images.
• Computerized Tomographic (CT) Technologists use specialized equipment that uses electronic impulses to produce cross-sectional images of the inside of the body.
• Nuclear Medicine Technologistsuse radioactive drugs and special cameras that help diagnose and treat certain illnesses. These technologists operate scanning equipment that traces the location of the radioactive materials within a patients’ body to produce images of organs and reveal their functions. They apply knowledge of radiation physics and biology to maximize radiation safety and protection. Technologists have the responsibility for the safe use, storage and disposal of radioactive materials.
• Radiation Therapists administer highly focused forms of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. They operate a wide variety of machines that generate x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams and other types of radiation. Radiation Therapists work closely with a Radiologist, who specializes in cancer treatments.

Education

Students follow many paths into radiologic technology. Some attend programs based in hospitals, earning a certificate when they graduate. Other students enroll in programs at community colleges or technical schools, usually earning an associate degree. Still others choose to attend four-year programs at universities and colleges, graduating with a bachelor’s degree. There are some radiology schools that offer less than one year of schooling. These are considered a limited program. The classes are not usually transferable to any of the college x-ray programs and the students are very limited in what they are allowed to do. Most salaries for these limited skills average $10.00 an hour and jobs in radiology are difficult to find.  Usually, these graduates end up working as medical assistants in a physician’s office.

An associate of arts degree (AA) in radiology takes between 2 ½ -3 years to complete. Course work enables the student to learn to take general body x-rays and to work with more technical equipment.  Included in the two-year education program in California is mammography training (taking specialized x-rays of a woman’s breast to look for disease). Upon passing the state certification examination, the students can take national boards in mammography. Most hospitals and outpatient clinics require this certification before a Radiologic Technologist is allowed to perform mammography.

Upon graduation the student must pass a California State Examination to become licensed. A Radiologic Technologist can become certified by passing a national certification exam. Most employers require certification. Once a technologist becomes certified, they enter a Technologist Registry in which they must meet certain annual requirements. Many employers require specialty certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in order to practice in one of the specialties identified above.

• A Certificate in Ultrasonography – a certificate can be obtained after one more year of study after the completion of an AA degree in Radiology. Some private adult schools offer a certificate in ultrasonography after completion of two years of study. This does not lead to a AA degree. A separate state examination must be passed in order to practice in this specialized field.
• A Certificate in MRI can be obtained after an additional year of training beyond the basic Radiologic Technologist program.
• A Certificate in Nuclear Medicine can be obtained after an additional year of training beyond the basic Radiologic Technologist program.
• A Certificate in nuclear medicine can be obtained after an additional year of training beyond the basic Radiologic Technologist program.
• Radiation Therapists

Average Starting Salary
(in Southern California, dependent on specialty and location of practice)

• Radiologic Technologist - $30, 000-$35,000 annually
• Ultrasound Technologist - $38,000-40,000 annually
• Computerized Tomographic Technologist -
  $35,000 -40,000 annually
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist –
  $40,000 – $45,000 annually  
• Radiation Therapy Technologist –
  $40,000-$45,000 annually
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist –
  $ 40,000 – $45,000 annually

For Further Information Log on to:

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology – obtain information on currently accredited educational programs across the United States, click on “Accreditation Actions”

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists – click on “certification”and “ licensing” in the RT Directory to obtain information career information and a list of accredited programs in radiography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists – Professional Association

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers – click on “careers”, then click on “Accredited Programs” under Links

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine – click on “consumer and provider education”, then on “Training and Accreditation”

Society of Nuclear Medicine – click on “About Nuclear Medicine”