career in radiologic technologists?

Question

1. after finishing a 2 yr degree in radiologic technologists, then what? if you want to get a bacholers, do you go for radiologic technologists still or do you have to specialize in a certian part of it?

2. after your degree, do you have to find yourself always studying on things like keeping up to date on MRI, CT scan etc.. technology's? like in the I.T. field you always have to read on new stuff coming out, is being a radiologic technologists the same thing?

3. is this only a full time program? or can i do it part time as well?

im still confussed.......after a 2 yr degree for a RT, then what? ...... if I want to continue what do i do? get a 4 yr degree in RT. or is it something else?

Answer 1

According to the US Dept of Labor:

*You can just get an associate degree and get your certification and get a job (certification isn't required, but employers often want you to have it)
*Otherwise, you can major in Radiologic Technology and get your Bachelor's degree
*Yes, after you get your certification, you have to take continuing education classes so every 2 years you can pass your recertification exam

Training/Education Details:
Preparation for this profession is offered in hospitals, colleges and universities, vocational-technical institutes, and the U.S. Armed Forces. Hospitals, which employ most radiologic technologists and technicians, prefer to hire those with formal training.

Formal training programs in radiography range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. *Two-year associate degree programs are most prevalent.*

Some 1-year certificate programs are available for experienced radiographers or individuals from other health occupations, such as medical technologists and registered nurses, who want to change fields or specialize in CT or MRI. Note: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of the radiologic technologies is desirable for supervisory, administrative, or teaching positions.

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredits most formal training programs for the field. The committee accredited 606 radiography programs in 2005. Radiography programs require, at a minimum, a high school diploma or the equivalent. High school courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology are helpful. The programs provide both classroom and clinical instruction in anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, radiobiology, and pathology.

In 2005, 38 States certified radiologic technologists and technicians. Certification, which is *voluntary*, is offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. **To be eligible for certification, technologists generally must graduate from an accredited program and pass an examination.** Many employers prefer to hire certified radiographers.

NOTE: Further Education required for certification renewal: To be recertified, radiographers must complete 24 hours of continuing education **every two years.**

Future Positions: With experience and additional training, staff technologists may become specialists, performing CT scanning, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Experienced technologists also may be promoted to supervisor, chief radiologic technologist, and, ultimately, department administrator or director. Depending on the institution, courses or a master’s degree in business or health administration may be necessary for the director’s position. Some technologists progress by leaving the occupation to become instructors or directors in radiologic technology programs; others take jobs as sales representatives or instructors with equipment manufacturers.

Job Demand:
Job opportunities are expected to be favorable. Some employers report difficulty hiring sufficient numbers of radiologic technologists and technicians. Imbalances between the demand for, and supply of, radiologic technologists and technicians should spur efforts to attract and retain qualified workers, such as improved compensation and working conditions. Radiologic technologists who also are experienced in more complex diagnostic imaging procedures, such as CT and MRI, will have better employment opportunities, brought about as employers seek to control costs by using multiskilled employees.

Wages:
Median annual earnings of radiologic technologists and technicians were $43,350 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,170 and $52,430. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,210. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of radiologic technologists and technicians in May 2004 were:

Medical and diagnostic laboratories $46,620
General medical and surgical hospitals 43,960
Offices of physicians 40,290

Good luck!

Answer 2

You can specialize in radiology tech--interventional, cardiac cath, CT, Ultrasound, MRI. Some of the programs are separate and some require a degree beyond the 2 year.
Yes, in any field in health care it is important to keep up with new technology and developments. In some professions it is a requirement for licensing.
You can get work in radiology with a two year degree in some cases. It depends on how ambitious you are and what you want out of life & our job.