Radiologic Technologist: What They Do, Why You’ll Love It

There’s no question about it: by becoming a radiologic technologist you’re joining a highly satisfying healthcare profession. Practitioners say the role has a “high tech” appeal and fits those who want to work one-on-one with patients.

Radiologic technologists (also known as radiographers or rad techs) love their wide variety of duties. A medical imaging environment offers new challenges nearly every day because each patient’s situation demands a different combination of their skills.

Here’s Why Radiologic Technologists Chose a Medical Imaging Career

1. They’re essential to the future of healthcare.
Imaging technology is advancing fast, which puts rad techs at the front and center of innovation. In a radiologic technology program, students learn to be part of a healthcare team that can discover an early diagnosis of dementia, cancer, and many other diseases and disorders.

2. They are needed everywhere.
Learn to become a radiologic technologist, and plenty of employers need your abilities. More than half of all rad techs work in hospitals and ERs, and other options include physician offices, medical or diagnostic labs, outpatient centers, and federal or state agencies. Nationwide, the demand is nearly twice the national average for all occupations.

3. They are professionals in just two years.
The majority of rad techs have earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Radiologic Technology. In as little as two years, rad tech grads are ready for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). ARRT certification announces your qualification for rad tech jobs anywhere in the U.S. (See #2, above.)

4. They’re paid for a top skill.
The median salary for a radiologic technologist with experience is more than $59,000 per year, and the national average for new grads is above $47,000, according to Salary.com.

5. They’re on track for a long-time career.
Some careers look promising but fade as new findings overtake them. Imaging is widely preferred over invasive surgical procedures, and advances in imaging are happening quickly. When ready, radiographers can add to their expertise with other certifications. (Go here for details about additional credentials.)

Here’s Why Rad Techs Love Their Profession

1. They have a role in patient satisfaction.
“We often are working with people who are scared, experiencing pain, and sometimes lacking support. Making sure they feel comfortable is essential to the patient experience,” said Myke Kudlas, chief academic officer of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), in the US News “Best Health Care Support Jobs” report.

2. They’re demonstrating empathy and expertise.
In an Indeed.com job review forum, a practicing radiologic technologist put her admiration for the profession this way: “What do I love? The part where I’ve done with the exam, I’ve taken the patient back to the room, and she tells me that I am the kindest X-ray technologist she’d ever met.”

3. They like how it uses diverse skills.
On the question-and-answer website quora.com, a radiologic technologist named Ashley acknowledges the creativity and insight needed in the profession: “This job is great for those who wish to be in the medical field, are creative, wish to help others, and have great attention to detail.”

4. They like the challenges.
On the career consulting website onlineradiologyschools, one mid-career professional noted how her career was energizing: “My favorite part of my job as a radiologic technologist is being in the operating room. I like working alongside surgeons, helping them obtain the optimal image so that he or she can perform the procedure.”

The Radiologic Technology Program at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas that offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology. You can complete the degree in as little as two years and be eligible to become a registered radiologic technologist.

The CUKC radiologic technology program combines classwork and lab time with clinical experiences in healthcare facilities within the greater Kansas City area and surrounding communities. Imaging center professionals guided the program design. Instructors have real-life experience doing the imaging work they’re teaching.

Other advantages of the radiologic technology program at CUKC:

• Modern, on-site radiologic technology equipment rooms, including two demonstration suites
• Class sizes are limited to ensure personalized instruction
• Patient care education begins as early as the third term
• Real-world clinical experiences in affiliated worksites
• Classes for the Radiologic Technology program at CUKC begin in the spring and fall.

Request more details here about our radiologic technology program, and download this free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist!