Radiology Technician Essay

In the modern world, radiology technologists are often described as "photographers of human anatomy." However, people regularly underestimate the importance of the men and women who work day in and day out to discover aliments, diagnose, and treat many diseases. Those men and women who studied and worked hard in order to gain the tittle “Radiology Technician” are the people who save our lives from behind closed doors and protective vests.

The ability to begin your career with just one to two years of education is an especially beneficial point of becoming a radiology technician. For many, college is far too expensive, which makes a four-year college seem impossible. Radiologic technologists typically need an associate’s degree. Many MRI technologists

start out as radiologic technologists and specialize later in their career. Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states. Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require it. Radiologic technologists spend their college time being educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care. Many radiologic technologists may also specialize in a particular area of medical imaging, such as mammography or computed tomography (CT scans). Preparation for this profession is offered in hospitals, colleges and universities, vocational-technical institutes and the U.S. Armed Forces. Many junior colleges offer the vocational route. Also, all registered technologists must meet the continuing education requirements of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals may also have these requirements based on their practice specialty or the state where they practice.
The list of tasks is a very crucial one. According to “Explore Health Careers.org”, “For the images to be interpreted correctly by the radiologist, a radiologic technologist must perform the imaging examination properly.” This means that the radiology technician is in charge of a very important task. These people are the photographers of human anatomy. With their special knowledge, they are able to help the radiologists find injuries invisible to the naked eye. These people also adjust and maintain imaging equipment and must precisely follow orders from physicians on what areas of the body to image. Also, a very important step is to protect the patient by shielding exposed areas that do not need to be imaged. They often work with physicians to evaluate the images and to determine whether additional images need to be taken.
Unlike many careers, a radiology technician is a very secure position.

. Furthermore, the stability of any job in the medical industry is secure. According to Danny Gonzales in “Careers and Colleges” on being a radiology technician, "There are always going to be sick people--so you're guaranteed a job, and salaries are increasing all the time." Despite the changes in technology, environment, or world leadership, there will always be sickness and disease. Job stability is an important variable in the twenty first century. Many men and women lose their jobs daily due to economic changes. Employment of radiologic and technologists is projected to grow nine percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. As the population grows older, there will be an increase in medical conditions that require imaging as a tool for making

diagnoses.
According to results from a 2001 survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, wages for entry-level radiographers averaged about $16 per hour, however, with experience, wages can average $20 to $25 per hour. The median pay for someone in the radiologic technician field is at $57,370 per year. However, the pay may change according to area.
Radiologic and technologists work in healthcare facilities, and more than half work in hospitals. The job typically comes with job benefits beyond salary that may include health, life and disability insurance. Another benefit of becoming a radiology technician is that radiation technicians are needed practically everywhere, therefore, you have the ability to travel. That includes the option of military service. They work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images to either diagnose or rule out disease or injury. Furthermore, according to a 2005 survey of radiologic technologists, the top reasons professionals entered this field were that they wanted an interesting career and they wanted to work in a profession that helps people. Most full-time radiologic technologists work about forty hours a week. There are also opportunities for part-time work.
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Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as x rays, on patients in order to diagnose the patients’ illnesses.

After attending classes on anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, and more these men and women are prepared to step up to the health care challenge and save lives. Also, these hard workers must learn how to position the patient properly to get the best picture with the proper exposure without exposing the patient to more radiation than necessary. It takes perseverance, dedication, intelligence and heart to become a successful radiology technician. However, most of all a person must be driven by personal care for others. According to “The Bureau of Labor Statistics”, “Radiologic and MRI technologists work closely with patients who may be in extreme pain or mentally stressed. Technologists must be able to put the patient at ease to get usable images.” Those men and women who studied and worked hard in order to become radiology technicians are the people who save our lives from behind closed doors, and they are modern heroes in

scrubs.