What Kind of Careers Can a Radiology Tech Get Into?

With a degree to be a radiology tech, there are many career paths you can take. Although general radiology techs can work at thousands of locations across the country, by specializing, you have the chance to demand a higher salary and work in the medical area that you enjoy most. Here are some of your career options as a radiology tech:

Radiology Technician

As a technician in the radiology field, you’ll work with traditional x-ray machines to produce internal images (this is as opposed to technologists, who work with many different kinds of machines). Most people think of x-ray machines as machines used to check for fractures, but in actuality, they’re used for a number of different kinds of diagnosing.

CT Technologist

CT stands for “computerized tomography” and these scans have the ability to cross-section the patient using a special kind of x-ray machine. To qualify for this type of position, you’ll need a degree in a related radiology field, as well as registration with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Most facilities that hire CT technologists have training for radiologist techs who want to leaning CT scan technology.

MRI Technician

Another route to go is to specialize in magnetic resonance imaging, which is better known as MRI. This type of imaging uses magnets to create internal images, often of the brain and other very sensitive parts of the body. For this position, you’ll also need a radiology degree, along with ARRT registration, as well as advanced training in the MRI field. Specializing in this field means that you’ll make more money than you would as just a general radiology tech.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine is a relatively new field, and in working in this career, you’ll use Gamma Cameras to capture images. To become a nuclear medicine technologist, you’ll need a radiology degree, with additional training so that you can be certified by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. This is one of the highest-paying careers in the radiology field, with an average salary ranging from $54,000 to $59,000. The extra education is definitely worth the pay out!

Rather than specializing in one kind of technology, you can also work in a specific department. For example, you can choose to work in an emergency room, which requires face-paced work or you can work in an OB/GYN office to produce images for expecting parents. Often, you don’t even need additional training to specialize in these kinds of fields – you just need to learn the ropes and gain experience in your field.

No matter what career path you choose, working as a radiology tech starts with a degree in radiology. You can choose an associate’s degree in radiology, or continue with your schooling to get your bachelor’s degree, which means that you’ll be qualified for better, higher-paying jobs at more facilities. In addition, extra education is available both online and off for students who want to specialize or qualify for management positions in their departments. Start as a general radiology tech, and as you learn more about your own likes and dislikes in your field, you can choose a more specific career path that suites your tastes.

Top Online Radiology Technician Degree Programs

AAS in Health IT BBA in Health Services	DeVry University — DeVry University's B.B.A. in Health Services Management is an online bachelor's degree with courses that provides radiology tech students with the pre-requisites they need to enter a radiology clinical program upon graduation. DeVry also offers an associate's degree in health information technology. DeVry works with top business and health care industry leaders to design programs that produce graduates who meet their needs.
BS in Health Services AS in Medical Office Admin	Virginia College Online — Virginia College online offers a bachelor's degree in health services management for individuals looking either for entry-level positions within healthcare or a promotion within a current medical career. This program prepares students for management in hospitals, private practices, home health centers, and other types of healthcare organizations. VCO also offers an AS degree in medical office administration.
BA in Medical Technology BA in Health Studies	Ashford University — The BA in health care with a concentration in medical technology from Ashford is ideal for the working professional who wants to prepare for a career in radiology or other medtech field. Students in this program will learn the fundamentals of the different bacteriological, microscopic, and chemical procedures used in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ashford also offers a BA in health studies as well as several other health-related degrees.
BBA in Health Services	Strayer University — This particular Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Strayer University has a concentration in health services administration, which prepares individuals for managerial positions in radiology care facilities, hospitals, health clinics, physician's offices, and myriad other healthcare settings. Because this is primarily a business degree, graduates will have funadmental skills in business decision making.
BS in Health Services BS in Nursing	Baker College — Baker College Online offers a Bachelor of Health Services Administration degree program that helps develop administrative skills within students who are preparing for careers in healthcare. Baker also offers an online BS in nursing degree program. For individuals looking to become radiology techs or who eventually want to obtain higher level careers, the flexibility and affordability of Baker's online program is worth a look.
AS in Medical Assisting AA in Health Services	Keiser University — Keiser University's Associate of Science in Medical Assisting is an online degree that prepares students to perform medical assisting duties under direction of a physician/practitioner. Medical assistants also learn to function in an administrative capacity, which prepares radiographers for medical exams and for career advancement. For those seeking careers in administration, Keiser offers an AA in health services administration
AS in Allied Health Science	South University — The A.S. in Allied Health Science degree programs online are designed to expose students to a broad education in general studies combined with an emphasis on life science subjects such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, nutrition, and pathophysiology. These programs offers student a knowledge base from which they may pursue their professional goals as radiographers.
AS in Medical Assisting	Herzing College — The Associate of Science degree in medical assisting from Herzing provides students with an introduction to how a physician's office operates. Students of this program are trained to assist the doctor in the exam room, to perfom routine lab procedures such as radiological procedures, and to handle various administrative tasks. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be ready for entry-level employment as a medical assistant.
AABA in Health Administration	American InterContinental University — The AABA degree program in healthcare administration offered by American InterContinental University is designed to prepare students for organizational tasks and clerical work within a healthcare office. The program is taught entirely online, making it convenient for anyone who wants to study at his/her own pace or complete the degree as quickly as possible.
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