The more you know about “radiology tech programs” and the career that results from earning your radiologic technology degree, the more you’ll be excited about what you can do in this vital, in-demand healthcare support role.
The terms radiology tech, X-ray tech, and radiographer all refer to becoming a radiologic technologist, often known as a “rad tech.” Rad techs are the diagnostic imaging professionals on a physician’s patient care team. Their job is to perform X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, MRIs, and other diagnostic scans in various healthcare settings. Their work helps doctors diagnose disease or trauma by providing insight into the human body without invading it.
In 2021, these healthcare professionals conducted some 3.6 billion diagnostic X-ray exams and nearly 84 million CT procedures.
National statistics show that very few healthcare support jobs provide a better combination of career potential, personal satisfaction, sense of teamwork, and salary than radiologic technologists. The annual U.S. News & World Report jobs survey puts radiologic technologists in the top 25 of healthcare support careers.
It’s clear that by earning a radiologic technology degree, you’re in a profession where you can contribute to better health and be on track for fulfilling career. One career site that interviews rad techs already in the workforce gives the rad tech profession top marks for salary, job satisfaction, and career outlook.
Many rad techs in the workforce today – more than 60% – chose a two-year path to this career: the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology.
In a typical A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology program, students first complete about 24 hours of required and prerequisite classes, then dive deeply into the professional coursework. The remaining two-thirds of education includes classes, labs, and group sessions, designed to provide the practical skills and abilities used by the rad tech workforce.
Radiology tech programs are a comprehensive educational experience. Learning skills include:
A vital part of the A.A.S. radiologic technology degree program is the clinical experience. After rad tech students achieve certain competency levels, they qualify for clinical assignments at work sites associated with the program. Naturally, having a large and diverse network of associated clinical partners is a great advantage so many students choose a program in a larger city with a strong healthcare presence.
Having that clinical experience helps rad tech students be ready to contribute as soon as they graduate and are certified.
Imaging centers in hospitals are some of the biggest employers, but so are micro-hospitals that connect with large healthcare systems, emergency clinics, outpatient centers, industrial health clinics, integrated physician offices, mobile imaging services, and federal and state agencies with “good health” initiatives.
Alayna’s Story Reflects Career SatisfactionAlayna C., who earned her radiologic technology degree in 2023 at Cleveland University-Kansas City, found her career choice immensely gratifying.
“One of the best parts of being a rad tech,” she says, “is how integral you are to the patient’s treatment plan. Rad techs take images of the problem, and the doctor can assess from there. You get to work alongside the doctor and, at the same time, provide comfort for the patient.”
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health science university in Overland Park, Kansas, a part of the Kansas City metro. In our College of Health Sciences, CUKC offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology that most students complete within two years. Students eligible for a Kansas Promise Scholarship can use those scholarship funds for the CUKC radiologic technology program.
Features of the CUKC radiologic technology program include:
Cleveland University-Kansas City, founded in 1922, is on a mission to educate and develop leaders in health promotion and help people embrace behaviors to control and improve their lives.
CUKC wants to be your choice for a radiology tech program. Learn more now by connecting with an advisor and reviewing our free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist.
