Ready, Set, Rad Tech! Get Going with a Radiologic Technology Degree

There’s never been a more rewarding time to enter the healthcare field. For many, a healthcare career evokes the idea of becoming a doctor or nurse, but that’s a tiny picture of today’s healthcare landscape. A radiologic technology degree is often the choice for those who like the technical side of healthcare and interacting personally with patients of all ages.

Important Role of a “Rad Tech” in Healthcare

You may not know the term “radiologic technology,” but you know what they do. Radiologic technologists (often called rad techs) provide the interior body images, X-rays, for example) medical communities need for accurate, efficient diagnosis and treatment.

Those who earn a radiologic technology degree become medical professionals certified and registered to perform diagnostic imaging examinations. He or she is a vital member of a patient’s healthcare team, helping deliver the best-possible healthcare outcome.

Radiologic Technology Degree: Learning Summary

For radiologic technologists, there’s more than learning bout anatomy, physiology, examination techniques, and equipment set-up and procedures. They also must be uniquely talented in helping patients be comfortable and safe because patients may be in pain or suffering from trauma.

It’s also an active role where you’re likely to have new challenges daily. In one typical shift, you might find yourself

• Prepping the equipment in an imaging suite
• Performing a scan using a portable X-ray unit
• Reviewing a diagnostic scan to ensure it meets the physician’s requirements.

Read what David C. had to say while earning his radiologic technology degree:

“If you enjoy customer service, like the idea of helping people when they are ill and in distress, and enjoy working with high technology, this might be for you. It is a pretty well-paying job that’s in high demand.”  

There in 2 Years: Why a Radiologic Technology Degree is Wise

The goal for most rad techs is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in radiologic technology accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education for Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

In a typical A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology program, students complete about 24 hours of required and prerequisite classes, such as

• English
• Communication techniques
• Psychology
• Anatomy
• Physiology (learning how the human body functions)

After that, the remaining classes, labs, and group sessions focus on practical skills and abilities used by the rad tech workforce:

• Learning the why and how of imaging concepts and procedures
• Mastering techniques using anatomically correct body replicas
• Becoming proficient in patient interaction
• Practicing skills using demonstration and non-energized equipment.

After students demonstrate specific competencies, they hone their skills through clinical assignments. The school-based knowledge and skills, plus the clinical experiences, ensure students are ready for the rad tech workforce after graduation.

(Read more about Radiologic Technology coursework in this blog.)

After the Radiologic Technology Degree: An In-demand Job

With so many new advances in imaging, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts hiring for those with a radiologic technology degree will outpace the national average for most careers over the next decade.

More than half of those with a radiologic technology degree will work in hospitals; others will find roles at diagnostic clinics, physician group practices, mobile imaging facilities, and surgery centers.

Why a Rad Tech Career May be Right for You

You might be wondering if becoming a rad tech is the right career direction for you. Program directors and career guides agree: a number of character traits are indicators of a good career fit:

• Interested in a career combining patient care/technology
• Active listener who’s responsive to patient needs
• Takes responsibility, shows initiative
• Adaptability to constantly changing imaging scenarios
• Attention to detail, organized
• Physical ability to gently and strategically position patients for imaging
• Be in charge of setting up, operating, and adjusting imaging equipment for best results.

Earning Your Radiologic Technology Degree from CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is in Overland Park, Kansas, a large city within the Kansas City metro area. For more than 100 years, CUKC has been educating and developing leaders in health promotion as a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university where students become part of and learn from a professional healthcare culture.

The radiologic technology degree program at CUKC is a two-year program leading to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) in Radiologic Technology.

Features of the CUKC radiologic technology program include:

• Full accreditation by JRCERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology)
• Focused, eight-week evening courses designed for deep understanding
• Experienced radiologic technologists as instructors and program coordinators
• Hands-on training in the University’s on-campus radiologic equipment rooms, demonstration suites, and use of human body replicas
• Classroom knowledge combines with in-the-field clinical experiences throughout Kansas City and surrounding regions
• Strong graduate pass rate and employment after graduation
• Class starts in spring and fall.

There’s a lot to like about the radiologic technology degree, and we’re eager to talk to you about it. Connect with a CUKC admissions advisor today and enjoy our free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technology.