TIPS ON SELECTING THE BEST RADIOLOGY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS
Whatever the fluctuations in the state of the economy, if there is one area that is generally unaffected, it is the medical field. This fact aptly reflects in the increasing demand for skilled medical professionals at all levels right from radiology technicians and nursing aides to specialist doctors.
The rapid development of medical technology has ensured that doctors increasingly rely on diagnostic imaging procedures. As a result, there are several job opportunities available to those with the right qualifications obtained from reputed radiology technician schools.
What Radiology Technicians Do
Radiology technicians work in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers and handle the following responsibilities
• Explaining to the patient the procedure that is to be performed
• Instructing the patient regarding the removal of clothing, jewelry and other metal objects that may obstruct the x-rays
• Positioning the patient in the right manner for radiography
• Operating X-ray machines and ultrasound test equipment
• Capturing the radiographic images and store them appropriately
• Maintaining patient records and provide them to the treating doctor on request
• Performing regular maintenance of the radiography equipment
Radiology Technician Specializations
Depending on the type of course and training they acquire, radiology technicians may handle different diagnostic procedures.
• Radiographers work with equipment that uses x rays to create an image of the interior of specific body organs.
• CT Technologists work with computed tomography (CT) equipment that use cross-sectional x rays to produce a three-dimensional image of a particular region of the body.
• MR Technologists work with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment that uses radio waves to create a contrasted image of body parts.
• Mammographers are radiology technicians who specialize in mammography or breast imaging.
• Sonographers are technicians who work with ultrasound imaging equipment.
Radiology Technician Programs
Most radiology technician schools offer programs that lead to a certificate, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in radiology technology. The associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs are best for students who are new to the field whereas the certificate courses are more suitable for candidates who are already employed in healthcare.
An associate’s degree program at a radiology technician school is a two-year program whereas the bachelor’s degree program takes four years to complete. Most employers look for candidates with an associate’s degree at the very least. For supervisory level positions, they prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree in radiology technology. Higher the qualification, greater is the level of responsibility an employer allots to the radiology technician.
Subjects To Study in High School
Radiology technician schools require students to have a basic understanding of biology, human anatomy, physics, and mathematics and computer science. Therefore, if you are seeking a career as a radiology technician, you ought to take courses in these subjects at high school.
Additional Qualifications
Working as a radiology technician requires you to be good at empathizing and communicating with patients. These are skills you can pick up through volunteer work during your free time. Help out at your family physician’s office or at the local hospital to gain valuable experience that also adds value to the resume you submit with your application to radiology technician schools.
Choosing the Right Program
When you decide to enroll for a radiology technician program, it is important to consider a few critical factors:
• Accreditation: Is the school’s program accredited?
• Faculty: Does the school have adequately qualified faculty to teach the course?
• Infrastructure: Are the school’s facilities adequate to provide you with hands-on training and individual attention?
• Financial aid: Does the radiology technician school have financial aid plans to help you bear the course expenses?
• Flexibility: Does the school offer online courses or weekend classes that allow you to pursue your regular job even as you study?
• Job Opportunities: Is there a placement cell to facilitate employment of students who complete the program?
What Radiology Technician Courses Teach
Whether you pursue a certificate, associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiology technology, you will be studying a few common subjects such as
• diseases and disorders
• human anatomy and physiology
• basic concepts of x rays, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and
• imaging technology using ultrasound waves and radio waves.
You will also learn about
• the benefits and dangers of radiation
• the precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation.
• protective techniques to prevent harmful effects of radiation
• assessing radiation levels
• corrective measures to be adopted in case of an accidental exposure
Online Radiology Technician Courses
Several colleges and universities offer online courses for the benefit of working people who wish to train as radiology technicians. Most such courses use the Internet for imparting theoretical education to students and require the completion of certain fixed hours of hands-on training at approved hospitals or healthcare facilities. Before you decide on an online course, make sure you have a clear picture of the computer system and software you need to have to be able to access the online material. Also, verify if the radiology technician school will fix up the practical training sessions or if you have to make these arrangements on your own.
Candidates already in Healthcare
If you are already working as a healthcare professional such as a medical assistant, it is easier to do a course in radiology technology because you will have completed some of the courses during your previous education. Check with the radiology technician schools to see if they provide you with course waivers.
Obtaining a License
Most hospitals prefer hiring radiographers with a license from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). To obtain this license, you need to complete an associate’s degree program at the very least. On completion of the program at your radiology technician school, you will need to answer the AART’s certification test and clear it to obtain a radiology technician license. Following licensure, it is mandatory for radiology technicians to participate in continuing education programs at least once in every two years in order to renew the license.
Having the right information about radiology technician programs will enable you to make the right decision to shape your career. For greater and detailed information regarding the courses and a comparative study of what different radiology technician schools have to offer, subscribe to our newsletter.