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.