There are about 200,000 radiology technicians and technologists working in this country today, and it's a growth industry so if you are considering a career in the field you've made a good choice. There are three educational options for the radiology technologist profession. Most X-ray technologists work in hospitals or in clinics; a few are employed in large medical practices.

What Does a Radiology Technologist Do?

This job involves taking X-ray images of patients as requested by the prescribing doctor. An X-ray technologist is responsible...

There are about 200,000 radiology technicians and technologists working in this country today, and it's a growth industry so if you are considering a career in the field you've made a good choice. There are three educational options for the radiology technologist profession. Most X-ray technologists work in hospitals or in clinics; a few are employed in large medical practices.

What Does a Radiology Technologist Do?

This job involves taking X-ray images of patients as requested by the prescribing doctor. An X-ray technologist is responsible for positioning the patient either in a standing position or on a special moveable table so that the appropriate image will be captured. The X-ray film is in a cassette mounted behind or beneath the patient, while the "camera" device that directs ionized radiation at the patient is positioned so that the rays pass through the patient and impact the film.

There are a large number of X-ray examinations that range from simple chest films of three images to tomograms and fluoroscopes that require multiple images taken over a period of time. In some of these examinations, a contrast medium is given to the patient so that the X-rays can track it through the patient's blood stream, through kidney ducts, or through the gastrointestinal system.

There are many other procedures and the X-ray technologist must be familiar with the steps for each of them. Students learn these positioning requirements and practice them while still in radiology school. The job requires positioning patients for images and often may involve lifting them into position or assisting in some movement that is difficult for them. In that respect, the job can be physically challenging at times.

X-ray technologists also prepare any substances that will be given the patient during the exam. They keep records of their activities and work with the radiologist on any procedure that involves direct participation by the physician.

CT and MRI Specialists

Some radiographic technologists become specialists in CT (Computerized Tomography) scans, or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imagery) scans. This equipment produces images that are similar to X-ray films, but use different technology. Positioning the patient and the equipment requires the same skills and knowledge as working with X-rays, but the CT scanner will rotate around the patient. An MRI scanner uses radio waves to produce the image instead of radiation.

What are the Educational Requirements?

Students in radiology school study physiology, anatomy, radiation physics, patient care and medical terminology. The most common educational choice for radiology technologists is an associate’s degree in radiologic technology. There are certificate programs in radiologic technology for people with professional medical training in another field who want to change careers. In addition, some schools offer a bachelor's degree program that trains for all of the imaging technologies and usually touches on radiation therapy as well.

Are there Licensing Requirements?

At least forty states require that radiology technologists complete some sort of examination and obtain a license. In thirty five of those states, the exam is provided by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Even in states without formal licensing requirements employers prefer to hire certified personnel.