When you’re that special type of person who wants to work directly with patients and be part of a medical team helping to make healthcare less expensive and more human…look into going to radiologic technology schools.
What’s Radiologic Technology Degree All About?
Attending a radiologic technology school to become a radiologic technologist – also known as a radiographer or an X-ray technologist – means becoming the “diagnostic imaging professional” on the patient’s healthcare team. Because of the sophistication of today’s imaging technologies, physicians can “see” what’s going on inside the human body without going inside the body.
Those who’ve earned their radiologic technology degree say they love that feeling of delivering a better patient care experience and contributing to more efficient healthcare outcomes.
You’re the Imaging Expert on the Team
Succeeding in radiologic technology school will take your best effort and require intensive study. Still, the idea of obtaining the skills and knowledge needed to be a healthcare support professional in as little as two years is quite attractive.
More than 84% of practicing radiologic technologists choose to earn the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology. This degree, typically completed in about two years, uses an accelerated, 8-week class format. After preliminary classes, you’ll have about 50 credit hours of classes and lab time learning how to become a diagnostic imaging expert.
Radiologic technologist responsibilities include:
Here’s what Abigal, a newly graduated radiologic technologist in Kansas City, says about her radiologic technology school experience: “I am a very driven individual who wants to make a difference in people’s lives. Now I get to take the diagnostic images that help diagnose an ill or injured patient.”
Are You a Match for a Career in Radiologic Technology?
Use this checklist to see how good a match you are for becoming a radiologic technologist. If you mark “yes” to 50% or more of these traits, a radiologic technology degree could make sense for you.
| YES? | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| Interested in establishing connecting with people | |
| Active listener who’s responsive to patient needs | |
| Takes responsibility, shows initiative | |
| Ability to show compassion | |
| Adaptable to constantly changing imaging scenarios | |
| Attention to detail | |
| Physical ability to gently and strategically position patients for imaging | |
| Technical aptitude to use and adjust imaging equipment | |
A Career With a Lifetime Impact
You’re not only working directly with patients and as part of a medical team; you’re also helping make healthcare less expensive. A research report from Harvard Medical School shows that every $385 spent on imaging resources reduced hospital stays by one day.
The national median salary for a radiologic technologist with experience is more than $59,000 per year, and a national average for new grads is above $47,000, according to Salary.com. Rad techs are needed everywhere, so you have a portable career.
Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) is a licensure component of many states. You must meet the expectations of any state in which you plan to work. You can find details about each state’s requirements here.
The A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology Degree at CUKC
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) offers an accelerated Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Radiologic Technology degree you can complete in as little as two years. Our accelerated A.A.S. degree program combines classwork, lab time, and clinical experiences to prepare you to become a registered radiologic technologist.
CUKC is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of more than 190,000 residents. Our 34-acre campus is within a short drive from most areas within the Kansas City metro area.
Distinctive benefits of the radiologic technology school at CUKC include a program design to meet employers’ needs and instructors who have real-life experience doing the imaging work they are teaching. The CUKC program emphasizes patient interaction skills and technical competency.
Other features of the A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology program from CUKC:
For more details on the radiologic technology degree, request information here, and get the free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist.
