The job of an x-ray technician maintains and uses equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film for diagnosis purposes. This article deals with what this field is all about in more detail.
Becoming an x-ray technician is considered as one of the best career options these days primarily because of the employment opportunities the field presents for practitioners as well as those who intend to join the medical industry. Based on reports fielded by the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the next 5-6 years is the time when the demand for x-ray technicians will increase by 17% of its current population of about 215,000 practitioners.
Therefore, if you foresee yourself joining the radiology technician industry, as how technicians in this field are also called, then you must prepare yourself by following the tips below:
Understand what the field is about. As x-ray technician, you will be having lots of interaction with patients who need to undergo imaging tests such as x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound, among others. You will guide patients through each procedure as you follow radiology safety measures as well as maintain patient records. In addition, you are also expected to maintain and preserve the imaging equipment assigned to you.
If you think this is the kind of job for you, then your next step is to get an education related to the field.
Educational prerequisites. There are several ways on how you can get started with the x-ray technician program. You may choose to apply to the certificate program, acquire an associate's degree, or aim for a bachelor's degree.
A certificate course is your fastest route to begin your career as a medical technician. You may choose whether to get into the beginners program or the special programs certificate (especially if you already have a medical background and just need hours of learning to begin your radiologist career). The good thing about this course is that it can be completed in less than a year of study.
Your next option is the associate's degree, which is an in-depth study of the radiology program, consisted of a combination of lecture and laboratory hours. Completing this degree course sets you up to a fulfilling x-ray technician job, however, if you feel like pursuing higher education, then you may opt to continue with the bachelor's degree program. This could mean more job opportunities because aside from practicing as an x-ray tech, your career path may include management positions in the technician department, or even a post in your local college or university as a professor.
Do you think this is the right track for you? If so, then consider the training options available for you to get your education.
X-ray technician-training methods. Now that you have already established that you really intend to pursue this path, then you may choose whether to study on-campus or go for online education.
On-campus education means you will attend a regular school where you have face-to-face interaction with your instructor and classmates. This is the ideal scenario for fulltime students.
On the other hand, working students may choose to study online if they cannot commit to a fulltime schedule in school. The advantage of this set up is that you can study at your own pace and on your free time. However, there won't be much face-to-face contact with your professors and classmates since most communications are purely electronic in nature - that is, through chat, message boards, discussion threads, and emails, among others. Some clinical classes and lectures that require practicum, including exams, are done on-campus.
Check out your options and begin to start your career in x-ray technology.
Becoming an x-ray technician is considered as one of the best career options these days primarily because of the employment opportunities the field presents for practitioners as well as those who intend to join the medical industry. Based on reports fielded by the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the next 5-6 years is the time when the demand for x-ray technicians will increase by 17% of its current population of about 215,000 practitioners.
Therefore, if you foresee yourself joining the radiology technician industry, as how technicians in this field are also called, then you must prepare yourself by following the tips below:
Understand what the field is about. As x-ray technician, you will be having lots of interaction with patients who need to undergo imaging tests such as x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound, among others. You will guide patients through each procedure as you follow radiology safety measures as well as maintain patient records. In addition, you are also expected to maintain and preserve the imaging equipment assigned to you.
If you think this is the kind of job for you, then your next step is to get an education related to the field.
Educational prerequisites. There are several ways on how you can get started with the x-ray technician program. You may choose to apply to the certificate program, acquire an associate's degree, or aim for a bachelor's degree.
A certificate course is your fastest route to begin your career as a medical technician. You may choose whether to get into the beginners program or the special programs certificate (especially if you already have a medical background and just need hours of learning to begin your radiologist career). The good thing about this course is that it can be completed in less than a year of study.
Your next option is the associate's degree, which is an in-depth study of the radiology program, consisted of a combination of lecture and laboratory hours. Completing this degree course sets you up to a fulfilling x-ray technician job, however, if you feel like pursuing higher education, then you may opt to continue with the bachelor's degree program. This could mean more job opportunities because aside from practicing as an x-ray tech, your career path may include management positions in the technician department, or even a post in your local college or university as a professor.
Do you think this is the right track for you? If so, then consider the training options available for you to get your education.
X-ray technician-training methods. Now that you have already established that you really intend to pursue this path, then you may choose whether to study on-campus or go for online education.
On-campus education means you will attend a regular school where you have face-to-face interaction with your instructor and classmates. This is the ideal scenario for fulltime students.
On the other hand, working students may choose to study online if they cannot commit to a fulltime schedule in school. The advantage of this set up is that you can study at your own pace and on your free time. However, there won't be much face-to-face contact with your professors and classmates since most communications are purely electronic in nature - that is, through chat, message boards, discussion threads, and emails, among others. Some clinical classes and lectures that require practicum, including exams, are done on-campus.
Check out your options and begin to start your career in x-ray technology.
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