Communications Staff
Although it’s kind of a new term, “allied health careers” is today’s all-encompassing name for a wide-ranging number of health care professions that don’t require a medical degree or the typical four-year bachelor’s degree. Most positions fitting allied health degree descriptions are achieved in two years – including becoming a radiologic technologist.
Who are radiologic technologists? They are the medical professionals that doctors of radiology turn to for diagnostic imaging examinations. These images are making the dangers of invasive procedures and exploratory surgeries a thing of the past. Images such as X-rays achieved in these exams are essential for the proper diagnosis of conditions and accurate, effective treatment plans.
Sounds like radiologic technologists are an important member of a patient’s medical team, right? They are, and that’s why graduates of a two-year radiologic technologist program have a median salary of $57,450 plus a career outlook that’s growing at 12 percent through 2026 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
So, when you hear people talk about allied health careers, just remember that they’re describing medical professionals whose work involves using scientific principles and proven, evidence-based practices to diagnose, evaluate and treat diseases and disorders.
Radiologic Technologist: A Distinctive Allied Health Degree in 2 Years
Unlike some allied health career roles that are purely technical in nature and involve repeating the same tasks, radiologic technologists have days that vary widely and they often spend as much time developing relationships with patients of all ages and cultures as they do using technology. They naturally relate well with to people, are good at problem-solving, and are comfortable learning equipment set-up and how to make adjustments to achieve desired results.
Even better, becoming a rad tech opens a world of specialization. Depending what you like to do and the needs of the community you’re in, you can move into specialized areas like radiation therapy, mammography, sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ability to add new certifications widens your employment options and increases your income potential.
Allied Health Careers are the Future
The bottom line is this: when people ask you about your interest in allied health degrees, tell them a radiologic technologist program is at the center of this growing field and it fits where you want to go in life. Remember, you’re not alone – right now, as much as 60 percent of the U.S. workforce is now categorized as professionals in allied health careers.
It is an occupational direction worth exploring because the U.S. health care economy continues to grow twice as fast as the national economy.
Top-10 Allied Health Careers at CUKC
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, health-care focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas. It’s your source for two, top-10-rated allied health degrees: The A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology and the A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology degree at CUKC is accomplished within two years. The program’s eight-week courses deliver deep understanding. Students receive hands-on training and gain experience in the University’s own radiologic equipment rooms, two demonstration suites, and by clinical experience in partner clinics in the Kansas City area.
Students who complete all the required prerequisite coursework at CUKC will be granted guaranteed admission to the radiologic technologist program after all criteria for program admission and other considerations are met.
CUKC welcomes new classes of students into the radiologic technology program in spring and fall. Don’t wait around – request information about CUKC’s allied health degrees today!
Blog updated 09/19/2019.
