Those who are energized by the technical side of healthcare and find interacting with people rewarding are often attracted to the rapidly expanding medical imaging professions, including the role of a radiologic technologist.
That’s why you’ll want to know these 5 “Big Things” about a rad tech degree.
More than 320,000 radiologic technologists certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) are today’s rad tech workforce.
If you know someone who’s had an X-ray, an MRI, a sonogram, or a specialized medical diagnostic imaging scan like a PET scan, you already know what a rad tech does in today’s healthcare jobs environment.
The numbers posted by these highly skilled practitioners in the United States each year show you how much physicians depend on what rad techs know:
And despite sounding like a new industry, the history and tradition of radiologic technology go back 100 years. Fun Fact: Sister M. Beatrice Merrigan took the first ARRT radiography certification exam on Nov. 17, 1922.
Nearly everyone knows that rad techs work in hospital imaging units and emergency rooms. Did you know they are employed in a wide variety of healthcare environments?
Here’s a breakout of where those with rad tech degrees work:
JOB ENVIRONMENT % OF RAD TECHS
Hospitals/Hospital systems 60%
Physician offices 19%
Medical/Diagnostic laboratories 7%
Outpatient care centers 7%
Government agencies/organizations 3%
Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oct. 2021
The jobs category for “radiography” can be confusing. Becoming a radiologic technologist is different than becoming a technician.
“Technologist” reflects a much broader and deeper skillset. A radiologic technologist has experience in various imaging technologies and equipment, plus extensive knowledge of diagnostic imaging principles and strategies. They operate the equipment, and they also know how to problem solve when facing challenging imaging scenarios.
A radiologic technologist, who typically has an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology, is a medical professional who is certified and registered to perform diagnostic imaging examinations. They are in charge of all aspects of an imaging procedure, including
Beyond their regular imaging duties, those with a rad tech degree who serve in a hospital ER or urgent care center might be the first healthcare team member a patient encounters, so they have to have high-level patient interaction skills.
Another role for rad techs is patient safety. For instance, the rad tech reviewing the patient’s healthcare records may recognize that a requested imaging exam duplicates one already in the patient’s health records or may not be indicated for the patient’s condition.
In other patient scenarios, physicians might consult with rad techs who performed the scans.
When you decide to go for the rad tech degree and be certified and registered by the ARRT, you first choose a primary pathway into the profession. Of the five pathways, “radiography” is the most popular choice. These radiologic technologists earn the right to have the “RT” designation after their name.
The other primary pathways are more specialized: (MRI, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, and Sonography).
Regardless of the entry pathway, many radiologic technologists choose to keep expanding their skills in these specialty areas after entering the workforce. Additional certifications increase employability and salary potential.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas. CUKC offers a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Radiologic Technology degree. To connect quickly with someone to answer your questions, click here!
Attractive features of our degree curriculum include:
When you’re ready to plan for a great future healthcare, team up with CUKC. Get up to speed on the rad tech degree by downloading this free eBook: Your Complete Guide to Becoming a Radiologic Technologist.
