Becoming a radiologic technologist may deserve to be on your career search list. Certainly, those who’ve already earned the right to be called a “rad tech” love the challenges and rewards of the medical radiologic technology field.
Not familiar with the role of radiologic technologists? Radiologic technologists – also known as radiographers – are healthcare support professionals who are certified and registered to perform diagnostic imaging examinations. Diagnostic imaging often takes the form of X-rays, although the number of imaging options available continues to expand.
Overall, imaging technology translates into better healthcare for people within a community. Doctors are quickly replacing exploratory surgeries and invasive procedures with affordable, more accurate medical imaging techniques and technologies.
Today’s rad techs find themselves at the forefront of the medical radiologic technology field. The unique knowledge and considerable skill of the rad tech deliver the images each physician needs for diagnosis and treatment.
Helping the doctor get the best use from available medical radiologic technology is a big part of a rad tech’s job. Working hard on a patient’s behalf makes radiologic technologists quite proud of what they do and the responsibilities they have.
Here’s a quote from Anne, a certified radiographer working in a hospital’s trauma department: “…you are required to be at many places at once. While you’re on the floors working to complete portable exams, you are watching the clock for your case in surgery that is to start in 10 minutes. Other times, two traumas roll in at once.”
Dawn, a long-time radiologic technologist, captures how she can use her rad tech knowledge in different ways for different people: “I was told I should do something highly technical and also artistic. Rad tech covers both.”
Being able to make good decisions and thinking through difficult imaging situations is what radiologic technologists do every day. And there is no ordinary day.
Ashley, a rad tech in New York, says, “Sometimes you have to think outside of the box and find creative ways to take the images. 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.”
Becoming a radiologic technologist is like having the best of both worlds: you’re highly involved with people, and you get recognition as a highly trained professional. In 2019, radiologic technologists are again on the U.S. News list of top healthcare support jobs.
More than half of all radiologic technologists earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Radiologic Technology. Most students complete this accelerated A.A.S. degree program in two years.
In a field referred to as medical radiologic technology and a title like radiologic technologist, the job may sound intimidating. However, the rad tech degree program is set up for classroom knowledge and hands-on skills training to fit together for easier learning.
What’s most important is a desire for success and doing the work in the classroom and practice sessions. What do rad tech grads say about ensuring success in a rad tech degree program? Check out the tips in this blog.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology degree. CUKC is a private, nonprofit, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kan.
The CUKC radiologic technology program offers two class starts each year: spring and fall. CUKC program graduates meet the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) educational requirements for certification in Radiography.
As a CUKC rad tech student, you will find:
Learn more about the role of radiologic technologists by downloading this new, free ebook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist.
