X-ray techs are trained to operate the equipment necessary for medical imaging
The medical field is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in the world. And because health care specialists of all kinds are in such high demand, there are countless programs set up to train people in this field. Depending on how much time you're willing to dedicate to training, you can choose to earn a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in radiology.
Educational Prerequisites
A high school diploma or GED is required for you to begin training as an X-ray technician. Most X-ray tech programs are offered through community colleges or universities, and even most vocational schools will require you to have a basic high school-level education before they'll admit you to a training program. In addition to your X-ray training, you will probably have to fulfill a core program of English, algebra, science and other electives as part of the degree requirements.
Proper Accreditation
Verify that the training institution you apply to is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. If you receive a diploma or certificate from a school that is not accredited by this committee, then you will not be a competitive job candidate.
Core Medical Technician Courses
You'll have to take a certain amount of courses focusing on medical imaging and patient care to earn your radiology degree. The specific courses you must take will be up to your college or training institution, but there are usually several mandatory classes and a selection of electives you can choose from. Mandatory courses will include anatomy and physiology, radiation physics and protective procedures, radiobiology, medical terminology and patient care. When you've been accepted to a school, it's a good idea to sit down with a guidance counselor and go over the best path for you to take to ensure you get all of your classes done on time. Also, there are certain classes you can't take out of order (for example, Biology II can't be taken before Biology I), and there may be some requirements your college mandates like global awareness classes. A guidance counselor can help you fulfill all these requirements without having to go back and take more classes later.
Advanced Education
As a practicing medical technician, you're going to need to take continuing education classes at least once every two years to maintain your certification. Depending on your state and the institution you work for, continuing education classes are available that will keep you up to date on new technologies and business practices in the medical field. Plan on taking at least 24 credits every 24 months to stay current, and don't wait until the last minute to sign up for classes. Beyond this remedial training, there are advanced degrees available for X-ray techs, including master's and doctoral degrees. You can also choose to branch out and get specialized training, which will enable you to work with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tomography and other imaging techniques.
Tags: continuing education, continuing education classes, education classes, guidance counselor, medical field
