Medical imaging is so advantageous to physicians that graduates of a radiologic technology program – radiologic technologists – are key members of many healthcare teams. Of course, it’s physicians who make crucial decisions about patient care, yet it’s the radiologic technologist who figures out how to accurately position a patient for the “inside views” physicians want for the best possible outcomes. The pivotal role of radiologic technologists is in-demand across the country.
Medical imaging and noninvasive therapies administered by radiologic technologists (who are sometimes called rad techs) help patients avoid invasive procedures. The use of this technology is quickly making “exploratory surgery all but obsolete,” according to the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA).
Having a natural awareness of someone’s comfort level, showing empathy, understanding technology, and being attuned to what a physician needs in medical imaging take someone who’s uniquely talented.
In a radiologic technology program, you’ll learn how to
Recognition of these combined talents is one of the reasons a salary ranges from $43,827 to $59,901 per year according to Salary.com. Salaries trend even higher for states such as Nevada, Oregon, California, and Arizona. Even better, a rad tech’s salary potential increases via time in the field and additional certifications.
Just as graduates of a radiologic technology program have multiple areas of expertise, they are also at work in a multitude of places. Currently, the breakout by work setting looks like this:
In the radiologic technology program at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), students receive their Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology degree in as little as two years. CUKC’s degree program uses 8-week evening courses and an all-year schedule.
Students have access to full-functioning radiologic equipment rooms and the University’s demonstration suites. Clinical experience comes via partner clinics in the greater Kansas City region and surrounding communities.
The CUKC program prepares graduates to become certified and registered to perform diagnostic imaging as a radiographer. The program also meets the educational eligibility requirements to take the national exam to become a registered radiologic technologist.
CUKC is a nonprofit, private, university that’s focused on degrees in healthcare. Learn more about this profession by downloading the free eBook, Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist. Here’s a preview of what’s inside: