Career: Radiologic Technologists
CDC/Dr. Thomas Hooten
Imagine how you’d handle someone whose routine x-ray shows a condition that requires emergency surgery. How would you deal with the responsibility of giving your opinion of a patient’s condition?
Radiologic technologists -- also known as x-ray techs -- do these things daily. Their fast-paced, technically demanding world provides a lot of variety because every patient is different.
X-ray techs explain procedures to patients, make images for physicians to interpret, and keep records of patients' treatments.
“You have to work at getting great pictures for the doctors, because poor ones can cause a misdiagnosis.”
Renée, Senior Cardiac Sonographer
Are You Ready To...?
- Use a computer to process testing and treatment data
- Provide critical information to patients and doctors
- Give doctors your feedback on the imaging studies you perform
- Protect yourself and others from radiation
- Spend long hours on your feet
It Helps to Be...
A good communicator who is compassionate, patient, and physically fit. You’ll also need to pay close attention to detail and carry out complex procedures.
Make High School Count
- Pay attention in math, chemistry, physics, and biology. You’ll need a good grasp of these subjects.
- Build strong computer skills. You’ll need them to keep track of data.
- Work hard in English. Good grades will show that you communicate well.
- Take several years of a foreign language used by people who live in the area where you want to work.
- Build teamwork skills by working on a school play or playing a team sport.
Did You Know?
- In most states, x-ray techs must complete twenty-four hours of radiation safety training every two years.
Outlook
Government economists expect job growth for x-ray techs to be faster than the average for all careers through 2016. Those with training in other imaging technologies should be in even greater demand as hospitals seek to cover more tests with fewer employees.
Compensation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that radiologic technologists and technicians earned an average yearly salary of $53,230 in 2008. With additional training, x-ray techs can work as nuclear medicine technologists and earn higher pay.
