X-ray techs develop film for diagnostic use.
An X-ray technician (aka radiologic technician or radiographer) specializes in diagnostic imaging, which may help stave off serious disease such as cancer, or in the event of disease, monitor its progress. To ensure adequate preparation for this responsibility, you may wish to attend a school in Wisconsin accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Additionally, you may wish to consider your starting degree level so it can coincide with your prospective career advancement goals, such as management or teaching.
Certificate
One-year certificate programs are available for new students or individuals from other health occupations, such as medical technologists and registered nurses, who may want to change fields or specialties. Your certificate demonstrates that you have completed an approved educational curriculum, and you may go to work in radiography after graduation.
You should note that your "certificate" from taking a radiologic technician program is not the same as having a "certification" from a professional organization or society. An organization that offers voluntary certification as an X-ray technician is the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). A number of states use the ARRT exams for licensing purposes, and many employers prefer candidates with the ARRT certification.
Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
Aurora Health Center-Airport
180 West Grange Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53207
414-747-4335
www.aurora.org/radtech
Columbia/St. Mary's Hospitals
2121 East Newport Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53211
414-961-3817
www.ccon.edu
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
9200 West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53226
414-805-4999
www.froedtert.com
Mercy Medical Center/Affinity Health System
500 South Oakwood Road
Oshkosh WI 54904
920-223-0136
www.affinityhealth.org
St. Joseph's Hospital
611 St. Joseph Avenue
Marshfield WI 54449
715-387-7189
www.stjosephs-marshfield.org
Theda Clark Medical Center
130 Second St. P.O. Box 2021
Neenah WI 54957-2021
920-729-2444
www.thedacare.org
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
2870 University Avenue, Suite 108
Madison WI 53705
608-263-9029
www.uwhealth.org/radtechschool
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph-Brown Deer Campus
9252 North Green Bay Road
Brown Deer WI 53209
414-527-5149
www.wfhc.org
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare/All Saints
3801 Spring Street
Racine WI 53405
262-687-5090
www.mywheaton.org
Associate Degree / Associate in Science Degree
An associate's degree, in general, is offered at two-year colleges, such as Blackhawk Technical College in Fon du Lac or Northcentral Technical College in Wassau. An associate's curriculum is very similar to the first two years of a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution, such as a state college or university. After completing courses and earning an associate's degree, you may begin working as an X-ray tech. Additionally, you may have an easier transition to a four-year college to continue your studies toward a bachelor's degree in radiography.
An associate's degree in science is also similar to the first two years of curriculum in a four-year bachelor degree program. However, this program may place extra emphasis on science courses.
Blackhawk Technical College
P.O. Box 5009
Janesville WI 53547
608-757-7703
www.blackhawk.edu
Moraine Park Technical College
235 North National Avenue
Fond du Lac WI 54936-1940
920-924-3243
www.morainepark.edu
Northcentral Technical College
1000 West Campus Drive
Wausau WI 54401-1899
715-675-3331 (Ext. 1326)
www.ntc.edu
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Applied science is one type of associate's degree, which is geared toward the completion of technological or vocational programs, preparing graduates to find jobs immediately. Applied science associate degree programs may require less credits in the arts and classical sciences, and focus more on subjects in radiography and patient care--skills that will be most "applied" in your line of work. An applied science degree may also be transferable to a four-year university program, but you may be required to fulfill prerequisite courses that were excluded from your curriculum.
Chippewa Valley Technical College
620 West Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54701-6162
715-831-7203
www.cvtc.edu
Lakeshore Technical College
1290 North Avenue
Cleveland WI 53015-1414
920-693-1840
www.gotoltc.com
Madison Area Technical College
211 N. Carroll Street
Madison WI 53703
608-259-2902
www.matcmadison.edu/radiography
Milwaukee Area Technical College
700 West State Street
Milwaukee WI 53233-1443
414-297-6679
www.matc.edu
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
2740 West Mason Street
Green Bay WI 54303
920-498-5470
www.nwtc.edu
Western Technical College
P.O. Box C-0908
LaCrosse WI 54602-0908
608-785-9255
learn.westerntc.edu/rad
Bachelor Degree
A bachelor's degree in radiography may be desired by students wishing to not only be a practitioner in diagnostic imaging, but to play a greater role as a supervisor, administrator or teacher/faculty member. Besides mastering the theoretical and classical science concepts in radiology (biology, chemistry, radiation physics), you might be introduced to courses that will help you shape the nature of patient diagnosis, management and care--critical thinking skills. For example, as a faculty member at a college holding a bachelor's degree, you may help to transition an X-ray tech training program to incorporate new technologies in the field, and maybe move away from outdated technologies.
Bellin College/Bellin Health Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 23400
Green Bay WI 54305-3400
920-433-6626
www.bellincollege.edu
Tags: Technical College, associate degree, bachelor degree, Avenue Milwaukee, Medical Center, Area Technical, Area Technical College
