Given America's aging population and high death rates from diseases that are diagnosed too late to offer patients an opportunity for treatment, few medical professions are as critical to the future of medicine as are those in the field of radiological medicine. In particular, a check of Illinois radiology techs in hospitals, clinics and private practices across the state found practitioners enjoying satisfying careers and competitive salaries. Whether you are already enjoying a career in this vital field or thinking about establishing one in the Land of Lincoln, review the following information before you make your move.
Function
The responsibilities of radiology technicians include shooting X-rays of patient's bodies to assist diagnosticians as they try to figure out why a patient is suffering from certain symptoms. They monitor and control the amount of radiation to which a patient is exposed. Radiology techs are on the front lines of the battle for early diagnoses and while they do not make treatment decisions, they are often the first health care professional to spot abnormalities. The radiological tech oversees a patient's care from start to finish, preparing them for exams, positioning them for images and answering questions about the process. Many attain certification in specialty areas and find work in a diverse number of settings from labs to hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices. The field is growing and employment opportunities are plentiful. In Illinois the job market is dynamic.
Features
The range of jobs covering the umbrella field of radiology technician is vast and growing. Sub-disciplines include bone densitometrists, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine techs, sonographers and MRI specialists. Some practitioners may prefer oversight-driven professions in quality control management rather than direct patient care. Salaries are closely tied to level of expertise, the area of Illinois in which the job is located and years in the profession.
Identification
Professional organizations serving U.S. radiology technicians conduct regular salary surveys to keep members abreast of contemporary wages. In general, the more exotic the radiological specialty, the higher the wage. On average a tech can expect to earn $48,682 in an entry-level position. Those specializing in mammography, cardiovascular and interventional radiology average $54,000. MRI technicians and nuclear medicine professionals can expect $67,000 per year. At the top of the food chain, radiation therapists command $73,000, while those certified to practice the most highly skilled work of all -- medical dosimetry -- could earn more than $95,000 per year. Given a range of from $35,000 to $86,000, an industry survey set the average wage for a radiological tech in the state of Illinois at $55,000. For purposes of comparison, average Illinois wages fall below those earned in California (nearly $76,000), Massachusetts (around $72,000) and Washington, D.C. ($69,000).
Benefits
Illinois' radiological technicians enjoy excellent benefits including life and dental insurance, retirement and/or pension plans and tuition reimbursement. Members of the profession encourage continuing education. Overtime in hospital settings is widely available and while shift work may play havoc with one's circadian rhythms, off-hour shifts can boost a tech's salary to $38 per hour.
Potential
While an Illinois radiology technician can count on an ongoing supply of job openings coming from employment standard-bearers like CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed and Hot Jobs, many professionals prefer to go directly to hospitals in their area to conduct their job search or they might prefer to deal with the Websites hosted specifically for jobs in the profession. Get in touch with the Radiological Society of North America and the American Society of Radiology Technicians, the field's two major professional membership organizations, for more information.
Tags: hospitals clinics, Illinois radiology, nuclear medicine, patient care, radiation therapists
