Should You Consider Becoming a Radiology Tech?
On December 03, 2009 in Education
All radiology techs need some sort of formal education, in order to be properly trained and equipped to do the job of a radiology tech. However, there are many different courses available today, and as a result, before you decide on the specific course of study to undertake, you will need to consider and decide on the specific area of radiology which you might be interested in. These job scopes often vary from being a radiology technician, radiology technologists to just being a radiologist in a medical institution. If you intend to be a radiologist, normally, you will first need to start as a radiology tech. One way to bypass this and become a radiologist immediately, is to go through at least 8 years of studying and training, which is something not many people will choose to do. Apart from this, to be a radiology technician, all you need is a one-year certificate program, which should easily get you a job as a qualified radiology technician. Another option you have is to complete a bachelor’s degree, which might give you more access to different types of radiology related jobs. Once you have some form of qualification or certification, it should be no problem for you to find a job in a hospital or a medical clinic. At times, you might even be offered a job in specialized radiology laboratories, where most research is mainly conducted. Once you have gained some experience as a radiology tech, and move on to become a radiologist, you will not only be expected to operate the equipment, but also participate in the final diagnosis and reading of the radiology scans. Regarding pay scales of radiology technicians, you should expect to get about $30,000 a year when you begin your career, and within a few years of working in the field, get about $100,000 a year. If you are still keen on getting involved in the field of radiology, you should do the adequate amount of research necessary, before making the final decision. Also, it would help if you could get some feedback from individuals who are working in this field.