These days it’s wise to seek a career that offers work/life balance, gives you plenty of ways to contribute your talents, and delivers good pay compared to training time. If a place in the expanding healthcare field sounds attractive and using technology fits your way of thinking, it could be time to become a radiologic technologist. A registered radiologic technologist – a rad tech – is a medical professional who is certified and registered to perform diagnostic imaging examinations.
A two-year radiologic technologist degree program is a superb fit for someone who wants to
1. Two years to become a radiologic technologist
Not all rad tech degrees are the same, but in its most efficient format, a radiologic technologist degree is accomplished in two years. When searching for a program, insist on one providing an Associate of Applied Sciences degree (A.A.S.) degree. That’s proof to employers you’re ready for the workplace.
2. You control your career
Become a radiologic technologist, and the field opens up to additional specializations: MRI technologist, computed tomography (CT), radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, mammography, and many more.
3. Contributing to safer, better healthcare
You’ll be a member of the physician’s team. The imaging work you do is vital to diagnosing disease or trauma by providing an inside view of the human body without invading it.
4. No two days are the same
The average workweek is 40 hours, yet one of the top reasons to become a radiologic technologist is … there are no “ordinary” days. In one typical shift, expect to do everything from prepping the equipment to comforting someone with the imaging process to assisting the team in evaluating the results.
5. Be at the center of innovation
Imaging technology is advancing fast, which puts radiologic technologists at the front and center of innovation. New procedures and methods include 3D ultrasonic holography, hyperspectral imaging, and Polarized Nuclear Imaging (PNI). PET scanning is proving helpful for early diagnosis of dementia, cancer, and other conditions.
6. Wide variety of work settings
Become a radiologic technologist, and there’s plenty of places that need imaging professionals. Although more than half of all rad techs work in hospitals, other options include physician offices, medical or diagnostic labs, outpatient centers, and federal or state agencies.
7. Portable career
A radiologic technologist degree program prepares you for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Being ARRT certified announces your qualification for rad tech jobs anywhere in the U.S. Rather than being tied to a single company, your career as a rad tech is tied to your skills and can move with you across the country.
8. Attractive salary
The typical salary range for new rad techs is $45,000 to $47,000 per year, according to Salary.com. Salary potential increases via time in the field and additional certifications, and experienced rad techs can earn $55,449 or more.
9. Long-term career
Some careers look promising but fade as new findings overtake them. That’s not true when you become a radiologic technologist. The overall demand for Radiologic Technologists is expected to increase at least 9% from 2020 through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. government’s agency for reported wages.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas.
How to become a radiologic technologist? Request information today about CUKC’s radiologic technology degree program and download this new, free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist.
