Career Guide for the X Ray Tech

An x-ray technician is also known as a radiographer or radiologic technologist, and is the person who performs x-rays and at times injects patients with chemicals that are radioactive to obtain clear images. This person is also responsible to take care of the patients and guides them through the x-ray process. With the increase in demand for these technicians there are several colleges, x ray tech schools, community colleges, and universities that offer one-year, two-year, and four-year programs.

The field of work determines the job responsibilities though there are certain common features for all x-ray technicians. This person is expected to possess various skills, which include physiology, radiation physics, radiologic anatomy, image processing, and quality control along with patients’ management.

The intent of this write-up is to provide you a total clarity about the entirety of an x ray technician requirements.

X-Ray Technician Requirements

Every career involves in a certain set of qualification, training, skill set, and the real job in that perspective field. The x-ray technician career is no exception for this.

X-ray Technician Training Programs

The x-ray technician training has two main aspects: operation of the equipment and interaction with patients. Equipment training involves in handling various equipments, handling fluoroscopy machines, conducting MRI tests, and handling CT scanners. Whereas; training on patient-management involves in preparation of schedules, maintenance of patient’s records, doctors guidelines, etc.

There are several hands-on training programs leading to certification, bachelor’s degrees, and associate degrees.

Certificate Programs: This training program requires the minimum time of all other programs. There are around 200 programs in this category and it takes around 24 months for a person to complete this program. These programs are normally offered as part-time 2-year course in areas like physics, medical terminology, physiology and anatomy, diagnostic imaging, fluoroscopy, radiographic positioning, and radiologic technologies. To be eligible for the certification, these x-ray technicians have to graduate from an accredited institution and have to undergo a 24-hours continuing education program every two years and become recertified. These programs are offered by a x-ray technician school, several for-profit institutions, and vocational schools.

Associate Degree Program: This is another common form of training program that most of the x-ray technician schools offer and people opt for. Several universities comprising about 75 credit hours of the course work offer this program. The attendance is decided based on the credit hours completed by a student for each semester. These are mostly brought down to 2-year programs, with spring, summer, and fall attendance needs.

The areas of training covered in this program are same as that of certified program but with a much deeper context and increased exposure to each of the fields. This program prepares every candidate for licensure requirements of the x-ray technician or RTR (radio technologist radiography) exam. There are currently over 400 associate’s programs throughout.

Bachelor’s Program: This is a program with in-depth training and is not opted as much as the other two programs. There are only 40 bachelor’s programs that are offered. This is the longest of all the programs for an x-ray technician career and goes on up to 4 years. The areas of training involve extensive hands-on clinical experience, functioning and maintenance of radiological of radiology equipments, emergency techniques, etc. This is a great option for additional training for the x-ray technicians for career advancement.

License Requirements

Most of the states demand the x-ray technicians to possess a valid license. You are required to pass the ARRT exam that is administered by the state. This requires an accredited training program.

Physical Requirements

Since the x-ray technician career requirements demands involvement with the injured and sick, certain situations would demand their physical involvement in handling the uncooperative or old patients. This requires a good physical stamina and mental calmness while in action. At times the x-ray technicians have to travel with the equipments and these cases require physical handling of patients as well as the equipments.

Also, in general, the x-ray technicians are on feet most of the day. Hence, it is essential that a technician is healthy and fit with high stamina to handle such patients.

Skill and Knowledge Requirements

An x-ray technician is required to possess the knowledge of the most modern x-ray equipments used in the field. He must also have the ability to cooperate and work with others, ability to make intelligent and accurate observations, and ability to adjust quickly to the working environment.

Jobs of X-Ray Technicians

The overall job depends on the field a technician chooses to be in. The areas x-ray technician careers are more than just a dental clinic or hospital. There are several private practitioners who choose to have their own x-ray department with all required services. Even various convalescent homes, imaging companies, and outpatient clinics appoint x-ray technicians.

Job Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of an x-ray technician are:

• To load x-ray film cassettes
• Take radiographs
• Developing, washing, fixing, drying, and filing of x-ray films
• To prepare solutions
• Requisitions materials and supplies
• To assist in arranging and scheduling x-rays
• To maintain records of unit activities, x-ray films and other related records.
• To help in maintenance of the x-ray equipments and in general office work.
• X-Ray Technician Career

The x-ray technician career is on a boost in the current market and several government agencies; hospitals, imaging labs, and diagnostic centers demand x-ray technicians. Private centers are much better for high salary. One can opt for specialized fields of radiology such as mammography, sonography, etc. in this line.

The fastest growing fields of employment opportunities also include x-ray technicians. This can mean you have a great career prospect in this field. If you decide to specialize in MRI, CAT scans, or interventional radiology, you have a greater chance of being hired by various hospitals. An additional documentation and degree in different areas of radiology is the best way for a career growth in the near future.

X-Ray Technician Salary

X ray tech salary varies according to the geographical region and based on the employer. However, surveys do show that the starting salary of an x-ray technician is between $11 and $18 an hour or $22,200 and $37,000 a year. It is only after a year of experience the salary starts to increase.

There are employers who pay less for female technicians than the men, probably due to the physical job responsibilities. Senior technicians can expect a salary package up to $48000 based on the experience.

Summary

Based on various aspects such as the qualification, experience, location, and employer your x-ray technician career is determined and based on your skill sets and persuasion of higher education, your career path is determined.

The Knowledge and Ability Needed for an X-Ray Technician

Many people seek becoming an x-ray technician because they enjoy the type of setting these workers usually work in. This is usually in a hospital, medical facility, or even some doctor’s offices.

While the setting may be something you would enjoy, it’s important to consider the career as well. You must consider some of the knowledge and abilities you must possess to work in the field, because if you don’t have it, you may have a difficult time and that could make working in the best setting a miserable experience.

You most likely know of the general duties of an x-ray technician, such as setting up the equipment, taking the x-ray and the completing paperwork to send over to the doctor for examination. However, have you looked at the details of what you’ll need to do and know to do all of the duties and responsibilities of one?

As you can see here:

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Loads x-ray film cassettes.
Takes radiographs.
Develops, fixes, washes, dries, and files x-ray film.
Prepares solutions.
Requisitions supplies and materials.
Keeps records of x-ray film, unit activities, and related records. Assists in the care and maintenance of x-ray equipment.
Assists in scheduling and arranging for x-ray clinics.
Assists in general office work.

In general, you need to be able to understand how technology works, especially the x-ray machinery works. You will also perform office duties as needed such as filing, answering calls, etc.

Your training will help you with many of the operational duties you will have, but not with the ability to work with people. Being a people person is an important part of this job, as you will have to interact with them daily.

Consider all parts of a career when making a decision to pursue one. That way, you ensure you find one that will make you most happy in your life.

How Thoughts and Feelings Help You Decide on a Career as an X-Ray Technician

When trying to decide what you want to study to prepare you for a career, it’s important to find out what you’ll do in each career to get an idea of whether or not you will like it.

Many times, you can create an image in your mind when you read the duties and responsibilities for a career. This image can produce feelings. These feelings are what will help you decide if you want to look into pursuing that particular career.

When you read the duties and responsibilities of an x-ray technician, you may picture yourself loading film into the x-ray machine right before a patient enters the room. You may then picture yourself working with that person to get him or her positioned correctly so you can go behind the glass to take the x-ray. You may then see yourself doing the paperwork to send over to the doctor.

When you see yourself in these activities, you may start to get excited. It might even make you smile.

If this happens, you know you’ve found something you might really enjoy doing. This is when you can go on to finding out what you need to study.

Now, that you know how your thoughts and feelings help you make a decision on a career, let’s review the actual duties and responsibilities of an x-ray technician so you can see if it’s the right fit for you.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Loads x-ray film cassettes.
Takes radiographs.
Develops, fixes, washes, dries, and files x-ray film.
Prepares solutions.
Requisitions supplies and materials.
Keeps records of x-ray film, unit activities, and related records. Assists in the care and maintenance of x-ray equipment.
Assists in scheduling and arranging for x-ray clinics.
Assists in general office work.

Courses to Prepare to Be an X-Ray Technician

You’ve made the decision to pursue a career as an x-ray technician. Congratulations!

You’ll have to go through training before you head out and look for work. This training includes courses you’ll have to pass to become certified as an x-ray technician.

While the specific courses will vary for each training program, the lessons learned are the same. This provides a standard of knowledge and ability all x-ray technicians will have to be as proficient as possible no matter where they work.

The following are some courses with descriptions offered by a Florida training program:

HSC0003H Basic He alt hcare Worker

The course is designed as an introduction to healthcare

including communication, legal and ethical responsibilities,

safety, infection control, CPR, First Aid, and HIV/AIDS training.

RTE0070 X-Ray Tec hnician (1 of 3)

This course includes Fundamentals of Radiologic Technology,

Radiographic Procedures I and Image Production I as well as

Clinical Education I.

RTE0071 X-Ray Tec hnician (2 of 3)

This course includes Radiographic Procedures II, Image

Production II as well as Clinical Education II.

RTE0072 X-Ray Tec hnician (3 of 3)

This course includes Directed Research, Radiographic

Procedures III, and Clinical Education III.

RTE0073 Radiology Tec hnician (1 of 4)

This course includes Advanced Clinical Education IV and V.

RTE0074 Radiology Tec hnician (2 of 4)

This course includes Advanced Clinical Education VI,

Radiation Physics I, and Radiographic Pathology.

RTE0075 Radiology Tec hnician (3 of 4)

This course includes Radiation Physics II and Advanced

Clinical Education VII.

RTE0076 Radiologic Tec hnologist

This course includes Radiobiology, Radiography

As you can see, the program prepares you for each part of being an x-ray technician, from general medical knowledge to the specifics of radiology. This particular program takes approximately 90 weeks to complete, however each program is different and you can find some that are shorter or longer depending on how many courses you can take at a time.