Radiology is a pretty wide open field under the healthcare umbrella, consequently, it presents an array of possibilities. The Radiologic Technology Program happens to be one of the many areas that students can dive into and achieve greatness in their lives.
After graduating from this program, a student becomes prepared to begin a career as a radiographer or radiologic technologist.
For a better understanding what the program is all about, let’s understand what a radiographer does. A Radiologic Technologist (RT) or a Radiographer (R) is delegated with the role of administering small amounts of ionizing radiation to a patient.
For a radiographer to be successful in what they are doing, they will need to have attributes such as:
- Work Well Under Pressure
- Detail Oriented
- Make Precise Mathematical Calculations
- Understanding of Spatial Relationships
- Safety Conscious
- Business Training
- Technical Skills
- Computer Savvy
Indeed, a good radiographer must be an all rounded person in health, technical, and mathematics, at all times.
What Is The Radiologic Technology Program?
This is a program that enables a person to be well prepared with the vital knowledge concerning the human anatomy and physiology. The program is also designed to ensure that care and maximum safety is accorded the patients.
Furthermore, the student who undertakes this vocation is trained on equipment operation, radiographic production, radiation protection, and image production.
There several categories of radiology which a student can aspire to master. In the United States, the courses or the categories are mandated by the American Society of Radiology Technologists (ASRT).
The curriculum designed by the ASRT is such that graduates in any of the said categories can graduate into higher education institutions to further their knowledge in the field. The different categories in which students can further their studies after finishing their Radiologic Technology Program include:
- MRI
- Mammography
- Cat Scan
- Ultrasound
- Radiation Therapy
What Can Graduates Expect?
In the USA, a degree serves to provide graduates an entry into the field of radiography. Upon graduation, they can begin their medical careers, but remember, this is only an entry level status.
Hospitals, cancer treatment centers and the like, will not hire new graduates into demanding positions that require certification, licensing and experience. The stakes are too high and the risks are too dangerous.
What Are The Goals Of a Great Radiologic Technology Program?
As with every other course or program, you are supposed to be a different person once you are done. Here are some of the prescribed goals that you should achieve:
- Communicate effectively – This is an obvious requirement given that you will have to explain the procedures to the patients. Moreover, you will also be required to relay the findings to the patients besides being required to communicate effectively with doctors and other medical staff
- Be competent in providing patient care – Patients should be treated in a certain civil and tender way. A radiographer should be able to afford their patients such care
- Pass the ARRT National registry exam
- Application of critical thinking and the knack to solve problems even when under pressure
- Show expertise and competency in clinical matters
- The student should show true ability in effective measurements
The Future of Professional Radiologic Technologists
Once a graduate has passed the ARRT exam, they must remain registered for the rest of their active career. About 60% of Rad Techs, as they are sometimes referred to, have undertaken an associate degree.
It is only a matter of further training that the graduate Rad techs become Chief Radiologic Technologists, Administrators, Supervisors or even Directors.
However, most of the hospitals and institutions demand that a person obtain a master’s degree in health administration before they can be awarded any senior role. As for salaries, the range is between $35,000 and $50,000 for graduate techs.
Starting Your Career As a Radiographer
First of all, you need to pass well in high school. More importantly, you must have an interest in math and the sciences.
When picking the college to attend for your associate degree, bachelor’s degree or certificate, you must insist on only getting the one which has been duly accredited. The simplest way to finding your ideal school is by checking with Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
