The field of radiology technician is a constantly growing and expanding one because there is a huge demand for trained and knowledgeable healthcare individuals who are capable of operating radiology machines such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, etc. If the world of radiology excites you then you should consider the idea of receiving formal training and education from a radiology-technician school. This way you will be able to have a successful career as a radiology-technician.
The good news is that there are plenty of options for those looking to receive a degree in the radiology technology. In USA, there are more than seven hundred on-campus schools to choose from. If online courses are your cup of tea then you can take your pick from over eighty online radiology-technician schools. Of course having so many options to choose from doesn’t make it easier because individuals are often confused as to which school they should opt for. It is advisable to take a pick from amongst the top schools for radiology technician only because it is not just the degree that matters, the reputation of the school counts too!
Moreover, by enrolling for the radiology-technician course in a reputable school, students will be taught properly. They will become familiar with the use of different types of radiographic machines that would be used on the job. Some examples of these would be X-ray machines, digital mammography machines, CT scanners, and so on. For all those who plan to become a radiology-technician it is recommended to get at least a two year associate degree.
Some of the popular picks when it comes to the radiology technicians schools in the US are Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida, Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, Houston Community College in Houston, Texas. While some school may offer a two year course, others may have four years’ duration for their degree courses. Also, there are basic certificate programs available for those who do not wish to take up a complex course. It is advisable to choose your course wisely because it affects your career as a radiology-technician in the future.
If you plan to be a licensed radiology-technician in the future then it is necessary to choose a course which covers subjects such as radiobiology, anatomy, physiology, radiation safety, radiation physics, patient care, imaging, etc. By having these subjects in your course, you will be better prepared for your licensing on the road to become a professional radiographer. Simply enrolling in a reputable radiology-technician school offering the course that you need isn’t enough, you should also ensure that the course is accredited to the right governing body.
After completion of the course, it is necessary for the student to sit for a certification exam under the ARRT or American Registry of Radiologic Technologist. While having this kind of certification may not be mandatory, but it certainly helps because it gives you an advantage over the others. Moreover, a majority of the employers prefer to hire employees with certification.