X-ray technicians in California can expect great pay and plenty of work.
If you know you want to go into the medical field but cannot stand the sight of blood or do not want to spend eight to 12 years in school, consider becoming an X-ray technician. X-ray technicians in California must have a solid education and become licensed, but they can also expect a good salary --- above the national average for the profession --- and steady work in exchange.
Job Description
X-ray technicians, or radiologic technologists as they are now called in the medical community, spend their days following the exact directions of doctors to X-ray patients for diagnosis. Radiologic technologists remove any hindering accessories from the patient that can adversely affect producing a clear radiograph (X-ray film). They also place lead covers on the patient to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure, position the patient to get the clearest radiograph of the affected area and operates the X-ray machine. The X-ray technician also updates the patient's medical file as well as maintains the X-ray machine.
Qualifications
An X-ray technician must have a strong knowledge and understanding of human anatomy, medical terminology and procedure as well as a healthy respect and understanding of the effects of radiation exposure. An associate's degree is most common according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but both certification programs and bachelor's degrees in a medically relevant field result in employment as well. California requires X-ray technicians to be licensed as of 2000, according to the California Society of Radiologic Technologists, by passing a test administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Salary Range
The national median or 50th percentile salary for a radiologic technologist in May 2008 was $52,210 per year, according to the BLS. The middle 50 percent of X-ray technicians made between $42,710 and $63,010 that same year. The mean or average annual salary in May 2009 was $54,180 as listed by the BLS. In comparison, California X-ray technicians made an average or mean $62,590 a year. Three of California's metropolitan areas are among the the nation's top five highest paying: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, leads the country with an annual mean wage for X-ray technicians of $78,300; Oakland-Fremont-Hayward is second at $72,790, and Vallejo-Fairfield is fourth, at $70,030.
Considerations
According to the BLS, the health care industry is growing faster than the national average for all industries. Jobs are opening up in this field, especially for those who are willing to learn radiological imaging technology such as CT and MRI scanning as well as mammography. These technicians may also command a higher salary and discover it is easier to find work than those with limited technology experience.
Tags: X-ray technicians, X-ray technician, must have, national average, radiation exposure