9 Reasons to Become a Radiologic Technologist

Communications Staff

UPDATED MARCH 15, 2021

These days it’s smart 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

• Work one-on-one with people
• Appreciates mastering technology
• Eager for an in-demand healthcare career in less than two years.

Need more convincing? Here are 9 reasons to become a radiologic technologist:

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 US. 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 for when you become a radiologic technologist. The overall demand for Radiologic Technologists is expected to increase at least 7% from 2019 through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. government’s agency for reported wages.

Become a Radiologic Technologist at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas.

• Rad tech students at CUKC earn their Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology degree in a two-year format.
• The program’s eight-week courses deliver deep understanding.
• Students receive hands-on training and gain experience the University’s own radiologic equipment rooms, two demonstration suites, and by clinical experience in partner clinics in the Kansas City area.
• CUKC welcomes new classes of students into the radiologic technology degree program in spring and fall.

Students who complete all of the required prerequisite and general education coursework at CUKC will be granted preferred admission to the radiologic technology degree program provided that all criteria for program admission and University are met, and all other additional considerations are satisfactory.

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.