Radiography technicians, also known as radiologic technologists or radiographers, take x-rays of various body parts to aid in the diagnosis of various medical conditions. Many radiographers receive additional training to work in specialized fields like nuclear medicine or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To work as a radiography technician in the United States, you must first obtain certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Although performing x-rays is the primary responsibility of a radiography technician, they frequently perform a variety of other tasks. Technicians are expected to follow physicians’ orders to the letter, as well as follow the proper use of radiation equipment to avoid exposing patients, coworkers, and themselves to unnecessary radiation. A radiography technician prepares a patient for examination by explaining the medical procedure and positioning the patient in order to radiograph specific body parts. The radiography technician is also responsible for removing items from patients that prevent radiation from passing through, such as jewelry. Radiography technicians may adjust and maintain radiography equipment, organize patient records, and devise department work schedules in addition to performing scans and preparing patients.
More complex and intrusive radiologic procedures are frequently performed by experienced radiography technicians. Nuclear medicine technologists are radiographers who perform specialized diagnostic procedures that involve injecting non-radioactive substances into patients’ bloodstreams. Computed tomography (CT) technologists are radiography technicians who use computerized scanners to create cross-sectional patient images. MRI technicians operate machines that create images of the body using strong radio waves and magnets rather than radiation.
Radiography technology training is available at colleges, universities, hospitals, and, on rare occasions, technical institutions. Employers prefer to hire technologists who have completed formal training. Formal radiography training programs last one to four years and lead to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree for graduates. One-year certificate programs are designed for experienced radiography technicians or those who want to change careers in the medical field. In radiology, two-year degree programs are the most common.
The ARRT offers voluntary certification exams in the United States. Radiography technicians must typically complete an accredited radiology program and pass an examination in order to be certified. To be re-certified, radiography technicians must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years.
A full-time radiography technician works about 40 hours per week on average. On-call, evening, and weekend shifts are common. The majority of radiography technicians work in hospitals. More radiological procedures may be performed in other healthcare venues as physicians transition to outpatient-care and separate diagnostic facilities.