What’s it Like to be a Student in a Radiologic Technology Program?

Communications Staff

UPDATED OCT. 9, 2020

Those ready for a job that’s personally rewarding and important in the future of healthcare may have heard about rad tech careers, but want a detailed answer to “What’s it like to be in a radiologic technology program?”

Whether right out of high school or switching careers for personal reasons, those who’ve chosen to become a certified radiologic technologist say it fulfills their desire to enter a well-paid healthcare career and perform non-invasive, life-saving diagnostic imaging. They also like getting into the job market after two years of school (A.A.S. degree) instead of the traditional four (B.S. degree).

Even so, this in-demand medical role has a strong reward. Starting salaries for newly certified rad techs range from $45,000 to $47,00o, but go up with experience and certifications in other areas, such as computed tomography (CT). The data site Salary.com puts the national median wage for radiologic technologists at $58,520. A 2020 US News report says rad techs are in the top 20 in healthcare support jobs.

With a title like radiologic technology, the job sounds more daunting than it is. Sure, it takes an ability to understand the sciences, but the technology aspects of it can be taught. What’s most important is a desire to work with people and the drive to succeed.

What Rad Tech Education Covers

Think about a radiologic technology program as having two essential areas:

• Classroom/technical knowledge
• Clinical education/experience.

Significant foundational courses for a student in rad tech include anatomy, human biology, chemistry, physics, and physiology – the study of organisms from the molecular to system levels. However, this career is also very hands-on. Becoming a radiologic technologist is like having the best of both worlds: you’re highly involved with people, yet you’re a highly trained professional whose work is leading directly to better medical care.

Once admitted into a professional radiologic technology program, clinical education and experience begins. Clinical education means time working with patients – and a high percentage of time as a rad tech will be working one-on-one with people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures.

What You’ll Do

Being part of a high-functioning diagnostic team takes more than classroom time. Rad techs must:

• Master techniques to help people feel comfortable with imaging equipment
• Learn best options for patient positioning
• Interpret how to achieve the requested diagnostic view
• Be an expert in operating various imaging equipment.

Expectations for Your Radiologic Technology School

• A solid radiologic technology program will integrate patient care principles and techniques with the coursework
• Guided, “hands-on” time is crucial, so expect plentiful access to radiologic equipment rooms. Students must gain proficiency in imaging equipment in both routine exam and trauma scenarios.
• Check to see if the radiologic technologist school has a large enough provider network to give you the depth of work experience needed before graduation.

Discover the 2-Year Radiologic Technology Program at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of the Kansas City Metro. CUKC has been pioneering health education for nearly 100 years.

Rad tech students at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) complete their Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology degree in as little as two years.

In the CUKC radiologic technology program, focused eight-week evening 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 experiences at facilities in the Kansas City and surrounding areas.

Find out more about being a rad tech by contacting Admissions. You can also download a free eBook about the profession: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist. Do it today!