X Ray Technician Schools

Jenny answers:

There are many schools in many states where you can get x ray technician training to be a radiologic technologist (the proper term for a x-ray tech). You can attend a hospital based program (and earn a certificate), a 2 year college program (AS degree), and even a 4 year college program (BS degree). You will need some prerequisite college level courses, in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology for example, prior to applying to RT school. The hospital based programs are the least expensive, and honestly, I think the education received there is superior. Once you graduate and take your registry exam, no future employer is going to care what type of educational program you went through. All they care about is your license. You can find an accredited RT program at this site. Just search “radiography” and your state…links are provided which will give you additional information on each program (cost, duration of program, contact person):

http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp

There are 18 accredited RT programs in Indiana. I am unsure how close they may be to Noblesville…..

RTs do more than just x-rays of bones. We do fluoroscopy studies (involving the intestinal tract and barium), arthrograms (assisting the radiologist with injecting contrast or dye into joints for evaluation) and myelograms (assisting the radiologist with injecting contrast into the spinal canal). If you work in a hospital setting, you will do portable exams in ICU, CCU, the ER and even surgery. Some RTs take x-rays in the morgue.

Most RTs will also become proficient and licensed in other modalities, such as mammography, CT and/or MRI. This x ray technician training does not require any additional formal training, and is usually learned on the job. The more licenses you have, the more money you can make, as you will be in higher demand. With additional schooling, you can also do ultrasound.

Well, I work in a free standing imaging center. My office is only open M-F, 8:00-5:00. No weekends, nights or call work. In a hospital, most imaging departments are staffed 24 hours a day. You could be scheduled to work nights, PM shifts, weekends, holidays….anytime really!

I highly recommend you do an observation in both a hospital imaging department and a free standing imaging facility. Until you see what RTs do, you won’t know if it is the job for you! It would also give you a wonderful opportunity to talk to RTs in your area. Best wishes…..

Oh, another good resource….check out the student area of the ASRT website:

https://www.asrt.org/

And the ARRT:

http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=http://www.arrt.org/nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists just did a large salary survey, in 2007. The salary varies, depending on your experience, specialties and geographical area. To view, the survey, and see the average salary in your state, you can go to this link:

https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/wss2007/wss07annualcompensation.pdf

Jenny answers:

My school did not pay me during x ray technician training. I think it’s rare to be paid, and if they do, it wouldn’t be much. Save as much money as you can before you start x ray technician training, live on ramen noodles, get a loan, and live with your parents if you have to. After say the first 6 months when you have a better idea of what you’re capable of, maybe get a part-time job.

Jenny answers:

Ahhhh….. Don’t try to find the easiest/shortest way. Talk on the phone to a counselor at a college near you.

Jenny answers:

The correct title is Radiologic Technologist. “Technician” is demeaning.

SCHOOL OF RADIOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY CLG OF RHODE ISLAND
1762 LOUISQUISSET PIKE
LINCOLN, RI 02865-0000
Program Director: SHARON E PERKINS
Telephone: 401-333-7025

SCHOOL OF RADIOGRAPHY
RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
3 DAVOL SQUARE BLDG A 4TH FL
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903-0000
Program Director: ELLEN E ALEXANDRE
Telephone: 401-528-8531

Jenny answers:

You should brush up (review) some basic physics. The best way to grasp these ideas for X-Ray technicians is to memorize and look at lots of diagrams of what is actually happening. Words and explanations are nice too, but I find diagrams easier and faster to understand since it looks more organized than a bunch of paragraphs. Sadly I have to learn a little about these stuff too for analytical chemistry and diagrams are the best way to go. It’s very visual. Simple basic things you should remember by heart is that electrons flow from the anode to the cathode and if there is any electric current, a magnetic field is being made. You should also find out what happens to the field when a voltage is applied, etc.

Also, it depends on how your X-Ray machine works and what you are trying to analyze, so reading the manual for the machine also helps a lot. Of course, you should always read the manual of any machines you will use in your job. They are usually pretty specific.