Education

Learn what it takes to become a Radiology Technician. Explore detailed listings of online Radiology Technology schools to find the one that best meets your needs.

Careers

Interested in establishing a prosperous career in radiology technology? Discover the tools, skills, positions, and specializations available.

Jobs

Educate yourself about what a Radiology Technician actually does. Learn about the day to day life of a Radiology Technician and the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in the field of Radiology Technology.

Salary

Salary information and future outlook for radiology technician professionals may range by region and state by state. Find information on the highs, lows, and averages of radiology technician salaries.

Online Radiology Technician Schools

What is radiology?

Radiology is the science applied to the modern devices and methods of taking images that cannot be seen with the naked eye. In medicine, X-Rays, CAT scans, and ultrasounds are forms or radiology used in diagnosing patients.

What should I look for in an online radiology technician school?

The best online radiology technician schools should either possess regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online radiology technician schools based on:

  • The school’s name and status
  • The school’s history
  • Teacher credentials
  • Alumni network
In choosing the best online radiology technician school for you, you should consider the following factors:

  • Admission requirements
  • Residency requirements
  • Class and teaching style
  • Testing methods used
  • Course content and presentation
  • Program length
  • Class size
  • Student-teacher interaction
  • Technology use
  • Tuition and financial aid
  • Transferability of credits
  • Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online radiology technician programs are available?

The following levels of radiology technician degree online programs are available:

  • Online Radiology Technician Certificate Programs
  • Online Associates in Radiology Technician
  • Online Bachelor in Radiology Technician
  • Online Masters in Radiology Technician
  • Online PhD in Radiology Technician

How long does it take to get an online radiology technician degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online Radiology Technician degree depends on the level of Radiology Technician degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

  • Online Radiology Technician Certification Programs – 6 months to 1 year
  • Online Radiology Technician Associates Degree – 2 years
  • Online Radiology Technician Bachelor Degree – 4 years
  • Online Radiology Technician Masters – 2 years
  • Online Radiology Technician PhD – 2 to 5 years

What are some examples of online radiology technician courses?

Some of the best career-oriented courses you could take in an accredited online radiology technician program include:

  • Medical Terminology
    An introductory class for any medical field, this online radiology course provides medical terms, their meaning, pronunciation, and use, so that students and professors can communicate effectively in courses to follow.
  • Anatomy and Physiology
    An essential requirement in good online radiology programs, this course provides information about human anatomy and physiology involving skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, and nervous systems.
  • Principles of Radiographic Exposure
    This course is required by top online radiology programs to teach students about the production and exposure of x-radiation in producing quality images. Often this class will include a lab element or at least require students to follow interactive videos and lessons.
  • Mathematics in Radiography
    This online Radiology course walks students through grid procedures, methods of measuring not only length, width, and depth, but density with an understanding of the magnification, angle, and logarithmic analysis.
  • Pathology
    This general medical course is also an important component to students majoring in Radiology, acquainting them with pathological conditions that patients may suffer and this effect on the imaging process.

What specializations are available for radiology?

Radiology is already a specialized field of medicine, from which the specializations are the specific types of medical imaging, or radiation treatment practiced, or the device used. Though it is advisable for radiology technicians to be versed in more than one sub-category, radiology majors can focus on any of the following:

  • Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT Scan)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Mammography
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Ultrasound
  • X-Ray Technology

What can I do with a radiology technician degree?

Students graduating from accredited online radiology technician programs can look for work in several medical technology position. Some radiology technician jobs include:

  • Clinical Laboratory Technologist
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
  • Medical Assistant
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  • Radiologic Technologist/Radiology Technician
  • Veterinary Technologist
  • X-Ray Technician

What is a radiology technician?

Radiology technicians are medical professionals who use technology involving radiation and principles of radiology, both in medical imaging and nuclear therapy.

What does a radiology technician do?

Radiology technicians have two main duties: they perform medical imaging and examination like X-rays to aid physicians in diagnosing injury or illness; otherwise they use controlled doses of ionized radiation to eradicate cancer cells or other harmful elements in patients. Radiology technicians are responsible for controlling and measuring radiation output precisely, recording, charting, and graphing findings, and being able to interpret those findings to a physician. They usually perform under direction of physicians, and must be conscious of and strictly following all rules and regulations of work with radiation.

How much does a radiology technician earn?

Radiology technicians earn a mean annual wage of $54,180. The employment is expected to grow 0.8% in the coming year, but an estimated 17% in the next ten years. Though presently stagnant, the expected increase is due to a need to take medical images of older patients to monitor the status of bones, joints, and other organs.

How do I become a radiology technician?

After obtaining a degree at an accredited and often specialized school, radiology technicians are usually required to be licensed or certified by the state. Thereafter, radiology technicians most often find themselves working in hospitals. Advancement in radiology, and possibly relocation to the private sector, is based largely on a résumé that boasts experience in the hospital or other respectable medical environment.

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From the Blog

Advances in Radiology: Image Wisely
Posted on January 31, 2011

Through the combined efforts of the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the Joint Task Force on Adult Radiation Protection recently launched Image Wisely. Image Wisely is a campaign designed to proliferate a better understanding of the importance of adult radiation protection. Although this campaign will benefit patients [...]

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Additional Resources

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics

    For prospective students of radiology technology, or people considering becoming radiology technicians, the BLS is a useful resource that lists the job definitions, expectations, daily work, and training involved in a career as a radiology technician. Students may also be interested in the salary and job projection statistics the BLS provides.

  • O-Net Online: Summary Report

    Prospective employees and students of radiology technology will find the O-Net website’s detailed information on the skills and knowledge of a technician useful and informative. The website is very thorough and provides a good introduction to the field.

  • The American Registry of Radiologic Technicians

    The American Registry of Radiologic Technicians is an important organization in the radiology field. The website offers specific and helpful information on licensing, registration, certification, patients, educators, and research.

  • American Society of Radiologic Technologists

    The ASRT is an organization dedicated to offering current professionals in radiologic technology the resources that will most benefit them in their field. The website provides a marketplace and career center, as well as publications, studies, and surveys, and events and conference dates.