subject: What To Expect From A Radiography Program [print this page] Radiologic technologists, better known as radiographers, are the medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations, including X-rays. Radiographers who perform imaging examinations are responsible for accurately positioning patients and ensuring that a quality diagnostic image is produced.
Radiologic technologists work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images, such as x-rays, to either diagnose or rule out disease or injury. For the images to be interpreted correctly by the radiologist, the imaging examinations must be performed properly and competently by the imaging experts, the radiographer.
Radiography program graduates may specialize in specific imaging techniques such as bone densitometry, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, computed tomography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, quality management, sonography or general diagnostic radiography.
Hospitals are the primary employer of radiography program graduates, but a greater number of new jobs will be found in physicians' offices and diagnostic imaging centers.
As a student in a radiography program, you'll learn the necessary skills to accurately position patients, ensuring that a quality diagnostic image is produced. You will also be educated in anatomy, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care.
It takes students approximately two years to graduate from a radiography program. While in school, radiologic technologist students will take a variety of courses ranging from basic knowledge to more advanced skills and theories. Students can expect curriculum to include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, math, physics, medical law and ethics, pathology and more. Most programs require clinical externships to be completed, where students gain valuable hands-on experience at local medical facilities.
The field of radiology is growing and so, too, is the demand for radiologic technologists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics radiologic technologists held about 214,700 jobs in 2008 as stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Through 2018, the demand for and employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase by about 17 percent.
The majority of radiologic technologists are employed by hospitals - roughly 61 percent. Most of the other jobs were in physicians' offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories and outpatient care centers.
Radiologic technologists enjoy a stable, rewarding job that is fairly compensated and serve as an integral part of the health care team. For students, choosing to enter a radiography program is a great choice - the curriculum is rewarding, the field for radiologic technologists and radiology is growing and the industry is virtually resistant to a down economy.
