Perhaps the best advantage of being a radiologic technologist … They like helping or providing service to others. But it's also interesting and I enjoy it. She will place the films, help you move as necessary and develop the films for a physician to interpret. Exposure to radiation is one of the main hazards of the job. The BLS reports the average annual salary for RTs who worked in hospitals in 2013 was $57,530. Radiologists, for example, spend a minimum of 11 years in school. Sonographers help physicians diagnose serious health conditions, which is a benefit to society in many ways. What are the pros and cons of a career as a radiology technician for a 39yr. RTs also have the option to become certified, which can increase your employment opportunities and chances for advancement. Dealing with people who are badly injured or very ill can be stressful. We have to do things like barium enemas, and deal with traumas, smelly people, and screaming children. The Benefits of Radiology As a Career Choice – PRO #4: Good for Introverts One of the hardest parts of being a doctor is long hours dealing with patients and their relatives. In the beginning, it … In addition to the challenge of learning something new, an RT who moves into the MRI area can expect a significant salary increase. Although it's pretty good pay, x-ray is the lowest paying of the radiologic modalities. For starters, as a radiologist, you are able to work from nearly anywhere, so long as you have a … There are a lot of positions within the radiology department, one of them being the role of Radiologist. Some RTs choose to become certified in multiple specialties, which offers a constantly changing job environment and may increase employment opportunities. I mainly am drawn to the disease and diagnosis side of medicine, and the thought of being able to look inside of people to do that was cool. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described … I have 2 years experience in x-ray and about a year in CT. At the same time, the work can be hard … The responsibility for patients and adherence to regulated standards to prevent radiation exposure can become stressful for some people. Any techs on here with experience in being a traveling tech and any advice for how to take care of things outside of the job such as finding housing and a car for a 13 week contract? Pros & Cons of a Biomedical Technician. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.. It can be incredibly stressful one minute and boring the next. Explore Health Careers: Radiologic Technologist, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Radiologic and MRI Technologists, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2013 29-2034 Radiologic Technologists, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2013 29-2035 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists. pros & cons about being a radiologic technologist || Ask The Rad Tech Today I’m going to explain some of the pros and cons about being a radiologic technologist. The biggest benefit of being a radiology technician is knowing that you make a difference in the lives of others every day you show up for work. Concorde Career College’s radiologic technology program offers much-needed clarity regarding the responsibilities given to radiologic technicians. Unlike many other professionals, sonographers experience a lower level of job stress than average, according to “U.S. RTs who specialize in MRI procedures earned $65,300 in hospitals in 2013. Radiologists don’t have this as they will spend a lot of their time reading scans in a room on their own. google_ad_width = 728; I'm thirty nine years old and very introverted (let's say practically anitsocial!) Good luck! In every job there are advantages and disadvantages; the same holds good for the radiology technician profession. As a traveling radiologic technologist, you’ll need to be adaptable to new surroundings. Job opportunities should be good, as the U.S. Bureau of L… Ultrasound technologist enjoy extensive one-on-one contact with their patients. Increasing numbers of aging population in the country is spurring the demand for a greater number of radiology technicians. Although radiation hazards are minimized through shielding and other measures, there is still a slight risk of cumulative exposure for those who work in radiology. Hospitals also pay well. A lot of opportunity for growth and management experience. Pros and Cons of a Radiologic Technology Career Radiologic technologists or radiographers help physicians evaluate and diagnose a patient's condition in order to decide on appropriate treatment. Radiologists, for example, spend a minimum of 11 years in school. News Money.” Long work hours. MRI certification programs will provide the skills you need … google_color_text = "000000"; RTs are most likely to be employed in hospitals, a work setting which typically offers good employee benefits such as sick pay, paid vacation, holidays and retirement plans. Science Photo Library/Science Photo Library/GettyImages. However, he may perform other procedures with the assistance of radiographic equipmemt. RTs have multiple training options. Career advancement is limited though possible for radiology technicians with plenty of additional learning. An associate degree is most common, which means the educational period is relatively short compared to many health care occupations. Working as a lab technician can provide you with some benefits such as helping others and making a fair salary. old introvert career changer? It can be hard to keep up with at times. CT scans are a subspecialty of radiology, and an RT can specialize in that area. Competition is fierce; depending on the state the profession is practiced in, per diem jobs are also hard to come by. Radiography programs could lead to a certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree. The job of medical lab technician involves taking samples from patients and then testing them. You will have the same level of knowledge of the anatomy as a … Imaging technology includes more than plain X-rays. RTs also have the option to become certified, which can increase your employment opportunities and chances for advancement. So is all the technology used in radiology, which is improving all the time. Today I'm going to explain some of the pros and cons about being a radiologic technologist. Take a quiz and see if a Radiologic Technologist is the right career for you. There isn’t an awful lot of diversity in the job of the radiology technician. Radiology is a great field to get in. Routine. Their work also helps physicians and parents follow the development of an unborn child. Share on Facebook; Compensation may not always be good depending on the state in which the radiology technicians employed. Career advancement is limited though possible for radiology technicians with plenty of additional learning. It’s a career you can feel good about. When these devices fail to work properly, lives are at stake. A radiology technician receives superior health coverage including dental and vision, retirement benefits, life insurance, sick leave, paid vacation and possibly licensing assistance. Pros of a Career in Radiology The pros of a career in radiology are well documented. The material is not extremely difficult to learn, however there is there is a huge amount of it to get through. good experience for work in a civilian medical center. Another point to take into account when considering this career field is job … Mammography is yet another specialty. They may help locate tumors in the liver or kidneys, or track the progress of healing from injuries. November 27, 2009 By BioSpace.com Overview Health care professionals rely on medical equipment to diagnose, monitor, and treat their patients. Good luck! It is also the most physically demanding. Job Outlook & Security. Radiography programs could lead to a certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree. The occupation has both advantages and disadvantages. Most training programs take 2 years to complete and in return offer the benefits of job security and a good salary. "Radiology Tech" 4.0 ... Pros. The job market for radiology technicians is expected to grow at a faster rate than normal according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. google_color_bg = "ffffff"; Take a look at the table below to see a quick comparison between jobs as a radiologic technologist, diagnostic medical sonographer and radiation therapist: Benefits in the healthcare industry are generally some of the best on offer in the employment market. I am currently working as a CT tech during the week and in X-ray on the weekends. If you like to stick to a standard routine on the job, constantly switching to new hospitals may not be your cup of tea. google_ad_channel = "7242259421"; google_color_url = "000000"; google_ad_client = "pub-1346996460368386"; In radiology, the RTs spend much of the day on their feet, and might need to lift or turn patients, which can increase the risk of a back injury. google_ad_height = 15; Radiology is a rewarding, yet sometimes misunderstood medical field. Infectious diseases are another possible risk for an RT. If you don't take the proper precautions, you could expose your body to a large amount of radiation over the course of your career. PROS of a Career as a Mammogram Technician Radiography field is fast-growing (21% from 2012-2022)* Less than four years of postsecondary education is required* Salaries are good for this career (average of about $57,500 per year as of May 2014)* Additional duties add a little more stress to the workload. and work in Civil Service (N.Y. City municipal agency) as a Supervisor in the Records Management Unit. google_ad_format = "728x15_0ads_al_s"; Pay scales for the profession are good and depending on the organization with which the individual is employed, radiology technicians stand to earn a very decent compensation package. What are the pros and cons of a job in radiology - Answered by a verified Doctor We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Published: Nov 27, 2009. The downside to becoming a radiology technician may be attributed to the following negative aspects in the job: Competition is fierce; depending on the state the profession is practiced in, per diem jobs are also hard to come by. While many people enjoy traveling, some don’t enjoy changing up their working environment. You’ll Learn to Understand People Better. Beth Greenwood is an RN and has been a writer since 2010. pros & cons about being a radiologic technologist || Ask The Rad Tech Posted on February 8, 2021 by Today I’m going to explain some of the pros and cons about being a radiologic technologist. Radiologic technologists work with patients who are experiencing some type of health trouble in order to better understand and pinpoint the cause. In fact, you have to keep detailed records to determine how much radiation you have been exposed to in your life. As a radiology technician, you fill a critical role in healthcare environments by facilitating healing, identifying maladies and injuries, and helping to save lives as a result. Radiography Career Pros and Cons – Pro #5: You Will Have a High Level of Expertise A degree in Radiography can be quite intensive. A Radiologist is highly paid and does not perform surgeries. They use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.. A typical day for a Radiologic Technologist will also include: On a daily basis, Radiologic Technologists review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes. Greenwood holds an Associate of Science in nursing from Shasta College. Job opportunities should be good, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 21 percent growth through 2022, nearly twice the average for all occupations. //2007-02-02: FashionAd //-->. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is another field for RTs who have experience in radiography. An associate degree is most common, which means the educational period is relatively short compared to many health care occupations. For preference. Cons. One disadvantage of working in a hospital, however, is the need to work nights, weekends and holidays, or to take emergency calls. One of the radiography career pros and cons that's often discussed is the potential personal risk from working around radiation. Benefits are good. An X-ray technician -- more correctly called a radiologic technologist or RT -- is the person who takes your X-ray when you break a bone or develop pneumonia. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. A career as a radiology technician (radiology tech) may be a great way to become a part of today’s growing healthcare field. Although vaguely aware of the role radiologists and technologists play, many people fail to recognize just how quickly this field is growing. She specializes in medical and health topics, as well as career articles about health care professions. google_color_border = "ffffff"; The advantages of radiology education and training include: The downside to becoming a radiology technician may be attributed to the following negative aspects in the job: