X-ray allows a physician to diagnose an ailment inside a human body.
An X-ray -- also called radiography or radiology -- is a type of high-energy radiation. It is used by an X-ray technician, or radiographer, in low dosage to examine a body for structural defects and disease processes. Radiologic training is commonly offered by colleges and vocational training schools at the certificate and associate levels. Some colleges offer a bachelor's degree to those seeking a management position in the field.
Four-Year Colleges
Of the 20 large X-ray technician colleges listed by the website Education Portal, only five of them offered four-year programs. In the field of radiology, an associate degree is considered a good qualification. Bachelor degree programs are designed for a professional seeking a management position. For instance, Colorado Technical University and Grand Canyon University both offer a B.S. degree in radiologic technology as a management qualification. Colorado Technical University offers two B.S. degree programs in radiology with concentrations in either advanced clinical modalities, or health care management. Grand Canyon offers a B.S. in medical imaging intended to teach students about health care trends and ethical management in medical imaging. An associate degree in radiology is a prerequisite for this bachelor's program.
Associate Allied of Science Degree Programs
An A.A.S. degree is the most common qualification for X-ray technicians. Community colleges usually offer two-year associate degrees in radiologic technology, mainly focusing on radiation therapy, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac and abdominal imaging. While colleges such as the Houston Community College System and City College of San Francisco offer the A.A.S. as a professional qualification, Northern Virginia Community College facilitates the transfer of the program to selected senior institutions to earn a bachelor's degree. City University of San Francisco divides its A.A.S. in radiology into two: diagnostic medical imaging and radiation therapy, which is the use of ionizing radiation for treatment of malignant diseases, one of the primary methods of treating cancer.
Vocational Training
Certificate programs are offered by schools of allied health and allied departments within a college, or vocational training institutions across the United States. The Lincoln Technical Institute, for example, which has campuses in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, offers basic X-ray technical and medical assistant with basic X-ray certificates. According to Education Portal, certificate courses are designed to prepare a student for a state licensing examination or certification. Coursework typically includes radiologic technology, positioning, medical ethics, physics of radiology, radiographic exposure and radiation safety.
Certification, Licensing and Accreditation
Licensing is required in most states for radiologic technologists. As of February 2011, 35 of the states that require licensing used the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) certification exam for licensing purposes. Choosing the right school is equally important if you want to succeed as an X-ray technician. A good X-ray college is accredited by a regional accreditation agency and by the Joint Review Committee in Education in Radiologic Technology.
Tags: medical imaging, X-ray technician, associate degree, basic X-ray, Colorado Technical, Colorado Technical University