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A radiologic technologist or sometimes known as a radiographer, uses radiations to help reduce cancer and tumors in patients in order to increase the survival rate and overall quality of life. More often, they create radiographic images of a patients body to allow doctors and staff to get a better read of the situation and give a proper diagnosis. The radiologic technologist salary is one of the best in the medical sector. This short guide will give you some basic information on how to get into the field and what is expected.
Radiologic Technologist Salary Information:
The average radiologic technologist salary in the United States is just shy of $60,000 per year. When starting out you can expect to make a minimum of $45,000 a year. Depending on your specialization within the field, especially medical dosimetry, you can earn near $90,000 equipped with the right amount of experience.
Radiologic Technologist Education Requirments:
To become a radiologic technologist, you will need certification in a 2 year program from an accredited school. You can also go a step further and get a full 4 year bachelor degree in radiography. It is very important that your school is accredited by JRCERT, or Joint Review Committee on Education of Radiologic Technology. Without this accreditation, it will be near impossible to gain employment. Once you have completed school, you will be required to sit for the board exam.
Radiologic Technologist Work Environment:
Radiologic technologists can work in a variety of places but will most commonly end up in a hospital. At the hospital, you can choose to work in the operating room, trauma, critical care, CT scanning, MRI, fluoroscopy and angiography. The work itself, is not stressful but you may end up working long hours, especially if you are in trauma or the critical care. The good news is that there is a constant need for radiologic technologists so will have no problem finding employment.
Going down this career path can lead to a stable and rewarding career. Please remember to take advantage of government and state programs that give grants to students. Also, contact local schools about help with tuition as they will be more than accommodating. By doing a little groundwork and research, you should have no problem becoming a radiologic technologist.
Additional Resources:
Radiologic Technician
Radiologic Technologists
Radiologic Technology Salary |
