You know healthcare is changing, and one of the exciting ways it’s changing most dramatically is the emphasis on radiologic technology – the art and science of getting precise images of what’s going on inside the human body. That’s why there’s so much interest in a degree from a radiologic technology program.
Year after year, it’s a top-25 healthcare role, according to the latest U. S. News rankings.
Radiologic Technology Program = Fulfilling Career
The professional you’ll become by earning a radiologic technology degree is called a radiologic technologist. They’re also known as a radiographer, an X-ray technologist, or “rad tech,” once you’re in the profession.
It’s a unique position in healthcare because rad techs interact with patients much of the time, sometimes in traumatic injury situations. At the same time, rad techs operate some of the most advanced technology available. The New England Journal of Medicine calls medical imaging one of the best medical developments over the past 1,000 years.
What Radiologic Technologists Do
Radiologic technologists are at the center of improving patient care. That’s the truly exciting part of becoming a rad tech. So not only are you working directly with patients, you’re an active, contributing member of a medical team.
Here are some of the things a radiologic technology program teaches:
As a rad tech, physicians rely on you to get the images they need to make a more accurate diagnosis, which can result in more effective treatment. Here’s a bonus feature of graduating from a radiologic technology program: you’re also helping make healthcare less expensive. A Harvard Medical School report showed every $385 spent on imaging resources reduced hospital stays by one day — and the average cost per day is $2,488.
Medical Imaging: A History-Making Profession
As innovative as medical imaging was when X-rays were first used in 1895, scientific advances keep pushing out the boundaries of what’s possible. Here’s a short history lesson about the pace of change:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical imaging careers will grow at a 7% pace through at least 2029.
The 2-Year Radiologic Technology Program
Yes, you read the subhead correctly – more than 80% of radiologic technology program grads earn the two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in rad tech. These accelerated programs are specifically designed to prepare students for certification and registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
First, there’s the prerequisite (meaning preliminary) coursework: classes in English composition, psychology, anatomy/physiology, and algebra.
Then it’s on to professional radiologic technology classes and labs, such as imaging concepts, intermediate and advanced procedures, radiographic imaging/trauma, plus all aspects of patient care and clinical education.
Your rad tech degree opens the door to additional credentials beyond that of earning a radiologic technologist’s (R) designation after your name.
Career Outlook
Becoming a rad tech is a platform for earning other imaging credentials, including:
You can learn more about career options, registration/certification, and state licensing by going to the ARRT website.
The unique skills taught by radiologic technology programs come with excellent salary potential. The data site Salary.com shows a range of $46,976 to $55,960.
Not all radiologic technologists don’t all work in hospitals. Other employers include physician offices, medical labs, and outpatient care centers.
The Radiologic Technology Program at CUKC
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas, conveniently located within the Kansas City metro area.
CUKC offers an accelerated, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Radiologic Technology degree you can complete in as little as two years. Our A.A.S. degree program combines classwork, lab time, and clinical experiences to prepare you to become a registered radiologic technologist.
Imaging department professionals helped guide the radiologic technology program at CUKC, and instructors have real-life experience doing the imaging work they are teaching. The CUKC program puts an equal emphasis on patient interaction skills and technical competency. Classes for the radiologic technology program at CUKC begin in the spring and fall.
Other advantages of starting your radiography career with a degree from CUKC:
For more details on becoming a radiologic technologist, get the free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist now!
