If you are interested in a career that is both rewarding and has long-term earning potential, perhaps you should become a radiology technician. Radiology technicians take x-rays and administer non-radioactive materials into the bloodstreams of patients for diagnostic purposes. Some radiology technicians also specialize in diagnostic imaging technologies, such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Education and experience for this profession is offered in hospitals, colleges and universities, and vocational-technical institutes. Hospitals, which employ most radiology technicians, prefer to hire those with formal training from an accredited radiology program.

Courses to become a radiology technologist range from one to four years in length and can lead to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. Some one-year certificate programs are available for experienced radiographers or individuals from other medical professionals who want to change fields or specialize in CT or MRI. If you aspire to become a supervisor, administrator or teacher, a bachelor’s or master’s degree would be desirable. To enter a radiography technician programs you will need a high school diploma or the equivalent. A thorough understanding of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology is helpful.

Once in an accredited program, you will receive classroom and clinical instruction in anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, radiobiology, and pathology.

There are multiple paths to entry into this profession offered in hospitals or colleges and universities. Most States require licensure, and requirements vary.

Formal training programs in radiography lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree is the most prevalent form of educational attainment among radiologic technologists and technicians. Some may receive a certificate. Certificate programs typically last around 21-24 months.

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredits formal training programs in radiography. The committee accredited 213 programs resulting in a certificate, 397 programs resulting in an associate degree, and 35 resulting in a bachelor’s degree in 2009. The programs provide both classroom and clinical instruction in anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, radiobiology, and pathology.

Federal legislation protects the public from the hazards of unnecessary exposure to medical and dental radiation by ensuring that operators of radiologic equipment are properly trained. However, it is up to each State to require licensure of radiologic technologists. Most States require licensure for practicing radiologic technologists. Licensing requirements vary by State; for specific requirements contact your State’s health board.

With experience and additional training, staff technologists may become specialists, performing CT scanning, MR, mammography, or bone densitometry. Technologists also may advance, with additional education and certification, to become a radiologist assistant. The ARRT offers specialty certification in many radiologic specialties as well as a credentialing for radiologist assistants.

Experienced technologists also may be promoted to supervisor, chief radiologic technologist, and, ultimately, department administrator or director. Depending on the institution, courses or a master’s degree in business or health administration may be necessary for the director’s position.

Some technologists progress by specializing in the occupation to become instructors or directors in radiologic technology educational programs; others take jobs as sales representatives or instructors with equipment manufacturers.