Do you like to know more about Radiology Technician Salary, Job Description, Education and Training. Radiology Technician also known as X-Ray Technician take x-rays and CAT scans, administer non-radioactive material into a patient’s blood stream, and interpret the images that are produced. Radiology technicians use the very best imaging methods to visualize the inside of the human body.
They are allied staff in the health sector, though they undergo some medical training that help them use the best techniques to generate results. Some of the courses they study include radiation safety, patient positioning, radiation protection, anatomy, radiation protection, basic examination and care.
It is interesting to know that radiologist technicians can also specialize in a particular field of radiology, this may be bone densitometry, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, or sonography.
Radiology Technician Job Description
- Identifies patient service requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients and other persons in a position to understand service requirements.
- Ensures operation of radiology equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
- Maintains radiology supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
- Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
- Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Gains patient cooperation by reducing anxieties; providing explanations of treatment; answering questions.
- Prepares patient for radiological procedure by positioning patient; adjusting immobilization devices; moving equipment into specified position; adjusting equipment controls to set exposure factors.
- Minimizes radiation to patient and staff by practicing radiation protection techniques, using beam restrictive devices, patient shielding, and knowledge of exposure factors.
- Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols; following drug protocols in case of reactions to drugs, such as contrast media, administering first aid, and using the emergency cart.
- Maintains production and quality of radiographs by following established standards and procedures; developing radiographs; observing radiographic results; making necessary adjustments.
- Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
The job descriptions are quite interesting and it definitely will help with career decisions. In addition to the above a radiology technician perform the following roles also:
- Explaining procedures to patients and answering questions.
- Preparing equipment for use as needed.
- Preparing examination rooms for patient exams.
- Positioning patients for imaging exams.
- Monitoring patients during exams.
- Documenting information with computers.
- Reporting important information to the physician.
- Ensuring safety of patients during exams.
- Producing diagnostic images of breast tissue.
- Using sound waves to obtain images of organs and tissues in the body.
- Administering targeted doses of radiation to the patient’s body to treat cancer or other diseases.
- Administering trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to a patient to obtain functional information about organs, tissues and bone.
- Measuring bone mineral density at a specific anatomical site.
Radiology Technician Salary
A radiologic technologist salary can vary from state to state. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average radiology tech salary in 2012 was $54,620 per year. The median salary was $55,910 in 2012 and the number of employed radiologic technicians totaled 229,300. In 2016 and beyond the salary is expected to raise above $70,000 per hour.
The earn between $13 to $28 per hour, this differs from state to state. Other factors affecting the salary include, skills, education, employer, reputation and location. However with career advancement and more training the salary increases, it better not to remain fixed to one certificate for a long time with this profession.
Radiology Technician Education
To be a radiology technician you will need a high school diploma or GED, then an associate degree which is usually for a two year period. To register with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) an associate degree or greater will be required. Training takes places in a school and the hospital, while the pass rate of students sitting for the certification exam is high.
The pictures created by the scans help physicians to diagnose and treat illnesses or injuries with great accuracy.