Can anyone tell me more about an Xray technician carieer?

Question

I am about to leave my full time job which pays good ( retail management ), and go to school full time for 2 years to become an xray tech, while working around school to be able to pay my bills. I don't know if I should do it, what the earning potentials are, and opportunities to grow???????

Answer 1

It would definately be a good move for you to go to "xray school".

The career path of the radiologic technologist (the proper term for the "xray tech") is very rewarding and can go in many directions in specialties. With call and after-hours work, you have the potential to make a LOT of money. Starting salaries here in Southern California is >$20/hr. I make about $30/hr specializing in mammography, with 30 years of rad.tech experience.

To be a certified radiologic technologist is a job that uses your brain and your heart. You will learn to be technically creative and you will see how your work can become your passion.

I would be remiss to not comment on Marie's comments about her job as a department aide, where she is allowed to take xrays when the bosses are not around. She has made some irresponsible statements about how "easy" it is and how most of the stuff you do in school is never used. In actuality, you use your school learnings daily...they are just part of the job. It is imperative that the technologist never forgets that he/she is subjecting the patient to radiation which, if not checked, can lead to damage to the patient years, or even generations, later. The machines do not "do it all" for you. There must be a clear understanding in selecting technical factors, with all the variables in patient care/positioning, and the immediate imaging environment. I guess the techs who allow Marie to take xray images forgot that in school.

Answer 2

I want to go to school for this as well. I currently work as an x-ray tech assistant at a hospital and love it. All the techs love their job. The job can be as busy or mundane as you want, just depending on where you choose to work. At any hospital you will be busy, but choose a clinic or an outpatient facility and it can be pretty steady. You will start out making around $20/hour (in my area, at least) and you will make alot more with experience. You also have many ways to expand your career, going into CT, MRI, Ultrasound, etc. Those are all specialties that you can go to school for after you graduate x-ray school. As far as the actual job goes, its actually really easy. The techs I work with let me do x-rays at night when no bosses are around hehe. The machine pretty much does it all for you. The hardest part will be school. Thats where you learn all the technical stuff. After you graduate, most stuff you wont even use lol. Anyways good luck!!

To Jessiesgirl: Get a life its not like im there by myself doing it, someone is always behind my back explaining it to me. God I swear some people are just out to cause other people trouble.

Answer 3

The correct term is radiologic technologist. The average starting wage is around $18/hour, depending on where you are located and what type of facility you work for. It is a good job. School is very stressful, but you can do it, and you will have such a sense of accomplishment when you're done!

You can find information here: http://asrt.org/content/RecruitmentandRetention/RecruitmentTools/Career_Brochure.aspx

Marie has no business taking x-rays and the techs that allow her to do it should be reported.

Edit: Marie misunderstood my intentions. I was trying to prevent her from getting into trouble.