There are options when looking into Radiology Technician Schools. Choosing the path of radiology technician is a great way to gain experience in the medical field and gain valuable knowledge for future promotions. While the average technical begins with an associates degree, techs that wish to earn higher salaries and promotions often continue their education or gain additional training in specialties.
Because of the hazards of radiation, the federal guidelines are rigorous about protecting the public, but it is up to the state to regulate licensing requirements for employees. Certification through the American Registry of Radiology Technologists (AART) is voluntary, though many states use their exams for licensing. In order to receive certification, AART must approve the program in which the candidate is enrolled and candidate must pass an exam. Every two years, certified technicians must participate in continuing education for renewal. It is nearly impossible to find employment without certification which in turn makes a radiology tech salary even better.
Despite the certification process, there are many available routes to obtain education, including technical schools, hospitals, or traditional universities. The length of time spent in a program can vary from one to four years, with a certificate, an associates, or bachelors degree, and will affect your level of pay after completion. One year programs start out at the bottom, with the average salary of twenty-three thousand dollars a year.
Important courses to consider in high school would include biology, physics, and public speaking. Each of the science classes will give you an understanding of how the body works, what it is made of, and how those parts interact with outside elements. Public speaking is a great course to take to become comfortable talking with strangers, presenting information, and being comfortable in stressful situations. Math courses are always beneficial with science courses, as they are intertwined. This education will lead to a variety of radiology tech jobs in the future.
Students seeking tech programs should be cautious of programs that offer degrees online, particularly from for-profit colleges. Often these programs are not accredited, much more expensive, and have few if any lab requirements. Due to the nature of the work, lab work takes up a good portion of classroom time, allowing hands on experience. Students who enroll in unaccredited programs enter a serious amount of debt and are not able to find employment due to their lack of experience and certification. For profit schools are sometimes fly-by-night, leaving without notice because of the lack of regulation. Students are left with debt and no degree. For protection, it is best to verify any program with AART or your state’s certification board before registering.