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