The position of a radiographer, or an x-ray technician, involves dealing one on one with patients who are ill or have potentially broken bones. Sometimes people in this professions are called x-ray techs or x-ray technologists. These people put a patient’s mind to ease by explaining the entire process before and during the procedure. They take pictures that are then sent to radiologists to examine and diagnose. Safety is important so that the proper precautions are taken to protect against radiation.
Requirements Needed
Before a potential student can apply for x-ray technician educational facilities they must have completed other courses. These consist of the basic healthcare diploma and may be an associate’s or bachelor’s level. One of these certifications can be obtained through a regular brick and mortar college or through any number of online degree programs. Some popular qualifications are Bachelor’s of Science in Health Care Management, a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Services Management as well as Associate’s levels in Allied Health Science or Healthcare Administration. All of these are available online at colleges such as South University, Penn Foster College and Jones International University.
Application and Schools
Once the basic heath care college degree is obtain then an application may be filled out for the x-ray tech school. Each application process is varied slightly and must be obtained from each individual school. Some of the top 10 ranked online classes are those such as: South University, American Intercontinental University, Virginia College, Rasmussen College, Ashford University, Penn Foster College, Herzing College, Baker College Online, Bryant and Straton College and Kaiser University. Several of these offer the Associate’s college degrees needed in order to apply for x-ray technician school. This allows for an easier transition from one form of study to another. Brick and mortar colleges that offer x-ray technician courses are: ECPI College of Technology with locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, Brown Mackie College with locations in Georgia, Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, California College San Diego, Kaplan College with locations throughout California to name a few. Other options for radiology courses are hospitals and vocational-technical educational facilities.
The Inner Workings of the Degree Program
The actual level is that of Radiography. An accredited course in this subject must be completed. The proper accredited Radiography program will enmesh students in clinical and classroom work that involves a variety of elements. A serious program will address patient care procedures, pathology, principles of imaging, anatomy and physiology, radiation physics, medical terminology, positioning of patients, radiation protection, radiobiology and medical ethics. The medical ethics comes into play because x-ray technicians are forbidden to discuss the results found upon an x-ray. Once classes have been completed there is still a matter of obtaining certification by ARRT, or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Types of Certifications
There are varying degree programs available for x-ray technicians. The range and length of the program depends upon what type of certification the student desires. A basic certification takes only one year. Others range from two to four years. These involve Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree programs and may help students obtain jobs at hospitals easier than basic certification. Most certificate programs of one year are generally open to those existing x-ray technicians that want to specialize in MRI or CT. The one-year program is open to other medical fields that are looking to change their careers and become x-ray technicians. Anyone looking to move up in this particular medical practice to a position of a teacher, administrator, or supervisor must have a Bachelor‘s gradation but preferably a Master‘s qualification.
Places to Seek employment
Actual trained x-ray technicians can go straight from school to work in any variety of medical facilities. These include hospitals, radiology clinics, convalescent homes and dental offices. These are just a few of the possibilities. Some doctor’s offices now have an x-ray room available and therefore must have an x-ray technician on staff. Potential students should keep in mind the number of hospitals, doctor’s offices and other medical facilities located all over the continental United States. The main reason so many students choose this field is often the a variety of jobs available at any given time. This is true regardless of what the economy is like.
Author Resource:
Linda Broke is a xray tech and has written various articles on topic of x ray technician schools and programs.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")