X-ray Technician, X-ray Tech Schools, Training, Education, Jobs, and Careers

What is an X-ray Technician?
An x-ray technician is one who uses radiography in order to capture a certain image of a certain part of the patient's body so that the physician is able to diagnose as well as treat specific diseases, broken bones or other health problems. The x-ray tech also has the job of explaining what the process entails when the radiographic images are taken and then operates the machine.

There is a major need for x-ray technicians in hospitals, medical practices, dental offices and diagnostic imaging centers. The technician is very much needed by the diagnostic medical team. After all, it is the x-ray technician who works directly with the patient to take x-ray films.

This important job allows doctors and dentists to fulfill their jobs in order to diagnose specific health issues so that quality care may be provided.

He or she should also know a great deal about the safe use of radioactive materials because in order to capture the bodily image, radioactivity is used. He must follow strict safety guidelines so that protection will be provided not only to him, but the patient as well.

How to Become X-ray Technician:
If someone wants to become one, she must first make the decision of what kind of schooling she wants to pursue. She can seek out an x-ray technical school, attend a college or university, or go to a vocational-technical school. A license or certification is required by many states before employment can be accepted.

Some of the courses you will study are:

1. Anatomy
2. Patient Care Procedures
3. Radiation Protection
4. Radiobiology
5. Medical Ethics
6. Physiology
7. Radiation Physics
8. Medical Terminology
9. Pathology
10. How to properly position a patient
11. Principles of Imaging

The courses that the prospective x-ray tech’s take can be accomplished in as little as one or as many as four years to complete. It just depends upon which path you decide to follow.

There is a one-year accelerated course that is usually designed for those professionals who are already working in the healthcare field. These people want to either change careers or increase their medical knowledge. For those wanting to advance into administrative or supervisory positions, then they pursue the Bachelor-level programs.

The most common program today is the two-year associate program in radiologic technology. After the student earns his associate's degree, he will usually then go on and take the program in order to be able to take the certification examination. After passing this exam, then one becomes certified.

Even after certification, every two years the student must complete twenty-four continuing education credits in order to maintain their certification. If the student is interested in expanding his knowledge and finding out about how other diagnostic imaging techniques work in order to specialize, such as in angiography or CT scanning, then he must undergo additional training and education.

Usually, experienced x-ray technicians may want to go on to specialize in specific diagnostic imaging practices, which may include mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CAT) scan or fluoroscopic imaging. State laws have certain regulations about the kinds of diagnostic imaging techniques that may be performed.

X-ray Technician Salary:
X-ray tech’s make $38,000 per year on the average. Some make as much as $41,000 per year. This is not bad for a career training that only takes about 12 months to complete.

X-ray Technician School:
If you are looking for x-ray tech school, we have the school for you. Everest University offers a program that qualifies one to become one. You have nothing to lose if you check them out. You can do so by requesting for their free no obligation information through this link.

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