Radiologic Technologist: The Associate Degree Career You’re Looking For

UPDATED MAY 5, 2020

When working in the healthcare industry appeals to you, choosing to become a radiologic technologist should be high on your list of associate degree careers to investigate. If you’ve had an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, you already know what radiologic technologists do. Becoming a medical imaging specialist is one of the top associate degree careers available. You’ll also be encouraged to know you might already have what it takes to get started in this high-growth career.

The first thing to do is to see how the job of a radiologic technologist matches your talents, skills, and interests.

Who Becomes a Radiologic Technologist?

Many people who have chosen an associate degree career in radiologic technology have basic math and science skills and a deep desire to help people. They are people who are eager to enter the workforce with a college degree that will help them to be part of the health care community and provide them with an active role in saving and improving lives through diagnostic imaging.

Here’s what it takes to succeed:

• A natural ability to interact well with people of all ages
• A desire to deliver the best health care outcomes possible
• Personal qualities like compassion, integrity, adaptability to changes
• A willingness to study and learn various imaging technologies, systems, and procedures
• The physical ability to meet the technical standards required to deliver safe and effective diagnostic imaging with or without reasonable accommodations.

Is This the Kind of job I Like?

If you like variety, taking responsibility, and the thrill of being part of a team, a radiologic technologist may be the perfect job. In any single week – and sometimes in just one day – you might find yourself

• Helping patients feel comfortable with imaging equipment and procedures
• Operating X-ray, CT, and other equipment
• Properly positioning patients with precision and care
• Using your problem-solving skills to achieve image clarity
• Formulating a plan for the “scan” requests from physicians
• Assisting in evaluating image results.

How Quickly Can I Graduate?

Associate degree careers like the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology can be completed in as little as two years. The required general education courses come first, then the professional rad tech courses, which are integrated with hands-on practice in on-campus labs. Depending on the degree program, patient care experiences in area clinics and imaging centers can begin as early as the second semester.

Does This Associate Degree Career Have a Future?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the number of radiologic technologists needed will grow 13 percent through 2026. Even better, the high demand for radiologic technologists translates into a highly competitive first-year salary that often tops $45,000. Experienced rad techs have a median salary of $59,000.

Radiologic Technology: Getting Your Degree from CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of more than 190,000 residents within the Kansas City metro area. CUKC offers an accelerated, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Radiologic Technology degree you can complete in two years. This hands-on degree program prepares you to become a certified, registered radiologic technologist.

CUKC radiologic technology students start their patient care education as early as the second semester. The CUKC program puts an equal emphasis on patient interaction skills and technical competency. Your instructors will have the first-hand experience to get you ready for the workforce immediately after graduation.

Other advantages of becoming a radiologic technologist at CUKC:

• Instructors with real-life experience
• Modern, on-site radiologic equipment rooms
• Two demonstration suites
• Small class sizes
• Extensive clinical experiences in partner clinics throughout Kansas City and surrounding cities
• Two class starts per year: spring and fall.

For more details, go to the CUKC open house page or get the free ebook Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist right now.