Yes, Becoming a Radiologic Technologist is a Great Opportunity

You appreciate working in a team, like working with technology, and love interacting with people daily. If that kind of job sounds like a good fit for you, you really should imagine yourself becoming a radiologic technologist – a diagnostic imaging professional.

Why Becoming a Radiologic Technologist is Vital to Healthcare

Think of a radiologic technologist – commonly referred to as a rad tech – as a vital link between a physician and patient.

On a healthcare team, rad techs perform various medical imaging procedures that allow doctors to see inside the body and make accurate faster diagnoses. In a trauma scenario, a physician might send a patient directly to an imaging facility. The insight provided by noninvasive imaging techniques and technologies results in safer, less costly hospital stays and emergency room visits.

The radiologic technologist often is the team member who can recognize that an ordered exam duplicates an exam already in a patient’s records, according to the research article Patient Safety and Quality in Medical Imaging: The Radiologic Technologist’s Role.

Is a Rad Tech Career Calling You?

As you might imagine, becoming a radiologic technologist requires a unique combination of skills and talents. It’s a good fit for those comfortable using technology and happy working with people.

You are one of these unique individuals if you have these personal attributes:

• You connect easily with people of all ages and backgrounds
• You’re a deep listener who’s responsive to patient needs
• You naturally take on responsibility and show initiative
• You know how to convey compassion and empathy
• You can adapt quickly to different imaging scenarios
• You‘re organized and detail-oriented
• You’re able to assist patients, so they’re in the correct positions for imaging
• You have a technical aptitude to use and adjust imaging equipment.

Imagine Becoming a Radiologic Technologist

There is no “typical” day for a rad tech, and, of course, that’s what attracted many to this role. Imagine having these responsibilities and duties during an imaging session.

• Ensure the equipment is operationally ready to care immediately for the patient’s service.
• Receive and review imaging orders and prioritize imaging studies to be performed according to department protocols.
• Acknowledge the patient when he or she arrives, introduce yourself, and assist the patient to the imaging suite.
• In a private setting, complete patient identification by first and last name, birth date, and identification on their wristband.
• Obtain a brief patient history, discuss the duration of the procedure, and explain what will be occurring. You’ll also provide patient education related to the procedure, such as addressing concerns of radiation exposure.
• Ensure the physical and radiation safety of the patient, as well as being responsible for the radiation safety of all healthcare personal or patient’s family in the immediate area. This includes following the department’s pregnancy precautions for the safety of the patient or family members assisting the patient.
• Obtain the high-quality images ordered by the provider while maintaining awareness of the patient’s ability to cooperate, level of pain and resulting limitations, and overall comfort with the procedure.
• Assess the diagnostic quality of the images obtained and determine if additional views are warranted. A view may need to be repeated if it does not meet diagnostic standards, and additional views may demonstrate structures otherwise not clearly seen.
• After completion of the imaging study, present the patient with post-imaging instructions. Examples include “increase water intake” and “results will be sent to your doctor within 24 hours.”
• Thank the patient for the opportunity to care for them.

Becoming a Radiologic Technologist in Two Years

The majority of rad techs earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Radiologic Technology. In as few as two years, rad tech grads are eligible for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). ARRT certification announces your qualification for rad tech jobs anywhere in the U.S.

When radiologic technologists want to expand their career, they often add other certifications such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), or Mammography (M). (Go here for details about additional credentials.)

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

Becoming a radiologic technologist leads you into a growing career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sees the profession expanding 7% through 2029, and the profession is in the top 15 of healthcare support jobs, according to the 2021 U.S. News annual rankings.

More than 50% of rad techs work in hospitals and imaging centers, and other options include physician offices, medical or diagnostic labs, outpatient centers, and federal or state agencies.

Newly certified radiologic technologists in the Midwest have salaries in the $43,827 – $48,175 range, based on the profession’s salary surveys. 

The Two-year Radiologic Technology Program at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas, that offers an  Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology degree. 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 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 becoming a radiologic technologist 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 second semester
• Emphasis on learning the soft skills desired by today’s employers
• A comprehensive education in stationary and portable X-ray, fluoroscopy, and C-arm technologies
• Real-world clinical experiences in partner clinics throughout the Kansas City area
• New classes start in the spring and fall of each year.

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