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.
Think of a radiologic technologist – commonly referred to as a rad tech – as a vital link between a physician and a 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.
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:
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.
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.)
Becoming a radiologic technologist leads you into a growing career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sees the profession expanding by 6% through 2031, and the profession is in the top 25 of healthcare support jobs, according to the 2022 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 $44,827 – $48,775 range, based on the profession’s salary surveys.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, that offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree) in Radiologic Technology. You can complete CUKC “rad tech” degree in as little as two years and be eligible to become a registered radiologic technologist.
Since 1922, our mission has been educating and developing leaders promoting health through our degree offerings.
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 newly updated free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist!