what classes do i need to take become a x-ray tech?

Question

i want to become one but i don't exactly know what to take? or how long?

Answer 1

In order to be a radiologic technologist (the correct term for a x-ray tech), you must attend an accredit educational program. There are college level classes that you may need in order to be accepted into a RT program.

There are many schools in many states where you can get trained to be a radiologic technologist (the proper term for a x-ray tech). You can attend a hospital based program (and earn a certificate), a 2 year college program (AS degree), and even a 4 year college program (BS degree). The hospital based programs are the least expensive, and honestly, I think the education received there is superior. Once you graduate and take your registry exam, no future employer is going to care what type of educational program you went through. All they care about is your license. You can find an accredited RT program at this site. Just search "radiography" and your state...links are provided which will give you additional information on each program (cost, duration of program, contact person):

http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp

RTs do more than just x-rays of bones. We do fluoroscopy studies (involving the intestinal tract and barium), arthrograms (assisting the radiologist with injecting contrast or dye into joints for evaluation) and myelograms (assisting the radiologist with injecting contrast into the spinal canal). If you work in a hospital setting, you will do portable exams in ICU, CCU, the ER and even surgery.

Most RTs will also become proficient and licensed in other modalities, such as mammography, CT and/or MRI. The more licenses you have, the more money you can make, as you will be in higher demand. With additional schooling, you can also do ultrasound.

Well, I work in a free standing imaging center. My office is only open M-F, 8:00-5:00. No weekends, nights or call work. In a hospital, most imaging departments are staffed 24 hours a day. You could be scheduled to work nights, PM shifts, weekends, holidays....anytime really!

I highly recommend you do an observation in both a hospital imaging department and a free standing imaging facility. Until you see what RTs do, you won't know if it is the job for you! It would also give you a wonderful opportunity to talk to RTs in your area. Best wishes.....

Oh, another good resource....check out the student area of the ASRT website:

https://www.asrt.org/Content/educators/_educatorsstudents.aspx

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists just did a large salary survey. The salary varies, depending on your experience, specialties and geographical area. For example, the annual income of a RT in Alabama was $43,196. With additional training, and licensing in MRI scanning, the salary is $51,174. In California, the average RT salary is $71,063. With MRI licensing, it is $83,185. To view, the survey, and see the average salary in your state, you can go to this link:

https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/wss2007/wss07annualcompensation.pdf

Answer 2

So you want medical related fields? because a radiologist is not a doctor. To be honest, if you cant handle blood, guts, bones, vomit, pus, faeces and minor surgeory - then perhaps being a doctor is not for you. I have talked to alot of people who decide they want to do medicine, but do not fully think it through. In you second year of medschool you dissect cadava's - it is a requirement. I think that if you have a prblem with such things as blood and bones, then you would have even more problems with other aspects of being a doctor that are needed to fufil their role. Radiology on the other hand is quite distinct. You will be working with people who are scared and in pain, and providing x-rays to aid diagnosis and treatment, so will be helping people. On the other hand - radiology is the place you are most likely to see broken bones - so think about carefully. If you really want a good idea of what their roles entail - go an ask them at a hospital, they can tell you the reality of their role which will be more accurate then any article you read.

Answer 3

Becoming An Xray Tech

Answer 4

Prerequisites will vary by school, but they will generally be classes like:

Elementary Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
Human Anatomy/Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology for Health Care Professionals
English Composition I
English Composition II
Speech Communication
Introduction to Political Science
Principles of Sociology
Microcomputer Applications
Additional courses recommended: Geometry, Medical Terminology, Physics, Psychology

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Example of the types of classes taken in rad tech school:

Anatomy and Physiology: general anatomy and anatomical relationships, organ and system functions and relationships, and cross sectional anatomy in order to perform accurate radiographic examinations.

Medical Ethics: ethical and legal considerations which impact upon the practice.

Medical Terminology: an understanding of abbreviations, symbols, terms, and phrases necessary to communicate with other professionals involved in patient care.

Patient Care: attention to and concern for, the physical and psychological needs of the patient undergoing the radiographic examination.

Radiologic Positioning: proper beam-part-film alignment with respect to source of radiation and area to be examined.

Radiographic Exposure: appropriate selection of all technical factors to produce a diagnostic quality radiograph.

Radiographic Pathology: knowledge of disease, anomalies and abnormalities which influence performance of radiographic procedures.

Radiographic Physics: atomic structure, beam quality, radiation interactions, the function and operation of various generator components.

Radiation Protection: the use of beam restrictive devices, patient shielding techniques, proper screenfilm combinations, accurate assessment and implementation of appropriate exposure factors as well as a working understanding of governmental regulations.

Radiation Biology: understanding of beam formation and radiation interaction with matter as it relates to genetic and somatic effects.

You can find accredited radiologic technology schools here: http://arrt.org/index.html?content=http://www.arrt.org/nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes

Answer 5

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Answer 6

talk to the college that u were thinking of going to.
I know they have to have physics. Anatomy and Physiology. the basics, and then u get into the program after u get all the pre-requirments done.