Medical radiation technologists take images of the body using MRI machines.
Training to become a medical radiation technologist can be completed in a certificate programs, two-year programs and four-year programs. There are nearly 1,000 accredited medical radiation technologist training programs in the United States according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Types of Training Programs
Medical radiation technologist certificate programs are generally offered by hospitals and community colleges. Certificate programs can take from 18 months to two years to complete.
Community colleges and technical schools offer associate degree programs in medical radiation technology. Students in a typical medical radiation technologist program must complete 22 credit hours of classroom training in their field and 28 credit hours of clinical work in addition to the requirements for the degree.
Some universities offer four-year degree programs in medical radiation technology. In addition to the basic requirements for a BA or BS degree, students in a typical medical radiation technologist four-year degree program must complete 71 credit hours of classroom courses and 60 hours of clinical work.
After 2015, the American Registry of Radiation Technologists certification will require at least an associate degree, although the degree does not have to be in medical radiation technology.
Features of Training
You'll receive a combination of classroom and clinical training in medical radiation technologist programs. Classroom courses include subjects such as anatomy and physiology, radiation protection, and image production.
In a clinical rotation you'll get hands-on experience working in radiology departments alongside doctors, nurses and experienced medical radiation technologists.
The setting for clinical rotations depends on the discipline being pursued. For example, radiation therapy clinical rotations often take place in cancer centers where radiation therapy is commonly used, whereas radiography clinical rotations may take place in a hospital or general medical center where X-ray imaging is common.
Disciplines
Medical radiation includes five disciplines: radiography, which uses X-rays to produce images; nuclear medicine technology, which covers the use of radioactive isotopes in treatment or imaging; radiation therapy, which includes treatment using radiation; sonography, which uses sound to acquire images; and magnetic resonance imaging, which uses radio waves to obtain images.
Accreditation
Attending an accredited training program can be critical to becoming a licensed radiation technologist in your state. States often require that medical radiation technologists be certified by the ARRT or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
Continuing Education
Medical radiation technologists certified by ARRT are expected to recertify every two years. Recertification includes 24 hours of continuing education.
Tags: medical radiation, medical radiation, radiation technologist, clinical rotations, credit hours, medical radiation technology, radiation technologist
