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 | Radiologic Technologists, Radiology Technicians, and Xray Techs |
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The Radiologic technologist (also known as xray tech or radiologist technician) is an essential part of the radiology
team and is crucial for delivering high quality medical care to the patients undergoing xray exams.
The radiology tech interacts with the patient and is responsible for the patient's correct positioning for the various
x-ray studies. The xray tech must ensure that the xray study taken is of high quality and that all areas that need to
be imaged have been adequately covered by the radiologic exam taken.
Radiologic technologists take the x-ray exams and then run them by one of the diagnostic radiologists on site for
quality review. The radiology doctor must be satisfied that the exam is satisfactory and that no additional xray views
are required.
Xray technicians are also in charge of correctly operating the various radiology equipment and software. They undergo
essential training in that regard and initially are under supervision by more senior xray techs. Radiologic
technologists are also supposed to know how to manage radiographic films and to know how to develop radiographs
correctly, meaning producing high quality radiographic images that have good contrast, saturation, and exposure.
To become a diagnostic radiologist technologist, one must first attend a radiologic technology school and earn a
certificate, associate degree, or bachelor of science. That first and essential part of a radiologic tech education
takes 1-4 years to complete. In addition, many radiologic technologists choose to specialize in one
branch of radiology and become an ultrasound tech, an MRI technician, a CT technologist , a nuclear medicine tech or a
mammography technician. This requires additional training of 1-3 years.
Radiologist technicians make good salaries and becoming a radiology technologist may be a good option for those that
seek to have a radiology related career and good income in the relatively short duration of schooling. And those that
specialize are rewarded with higher salaries, sometimes significantly so. The average radiologic technologist makes
$50,000 per year with more income earned according to number of years worked. Specializations pay off so ultrasound ,
MRI, CT, or Nuclear Medicine technologists can expect to make $65k and above per year.
There is significant demand for radiologic technologists in all specialties and this is expected to continue for the
next 10 years. The radiology technologist job market is very healthy and this translates into extreme high likelihood
for an xray tech to find a really good paying job immediately after graduation. Some economist reports as a matter of
fact project that radiology technicians job growth will outpace all other jobs for years to come.
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Radiologic Technologists, Radiology Technicians, and Xray Techs