Radiography Job Description
Radiographers, also known as radiologic technicians, perform diagnostic radiography exams, such as X-rays. Other radiologic technicians work in specialty fields such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, computed tomography (CT) scanning or mammography.
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Work Enviroment
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Radiographers spend their days working in hospitals or other clinical settings. Their work environments are clean and well lit. Radiographers must spend large amounts of time on their feet each day, and they must sometimes walk long distances in hospitals to transport patients to and from radiology exams. Physical stamina is an important qualification for radiographers because they often must lift or help to move patients who are sick, injured or otherwise disabled.
Radiation exposure is a threat to any employee working in or around areas in which radiation is being used. These dangers can be minimized by the use of lead gowns and other shielding devices. Additionally, most hospitals and clinics require radiographers to wear badges that measure levels of radiation an employee is exposed to. These radiation levels are closely monitored and recorded so an employee knows how much radiation she has been exposed to over her entire career in radiography.
Most radiographers work 40-hour work weeks, but they often work nights, evenings or weekends. Some radiographers are sometimes required to be on call.
Education Requirements
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Individuals interested in becoming a radiographer must pursue formal training to receive either a certificate, an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in radiologic technology. The most common of these is the associate's degree.
Many community colleges and vocational schools in the United States offer these programs. An associate's degree in radiologic technology usually takes about two years to complete. Students typically receive a wide range of instruction in areas such as radiation physics, patient care techniques, radiation safety and pathology.
After a certificate or degree is obtained most states require new graduates to pass an exam before becoming officially licensed as a radiographer. In most states, radiographers must complete continuing education classes every two years in order to maintain their licenses.
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Opportunities for Advancement
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Radiographers may complete additional training and become specialized technicians in areas such as MRI, CT or mammography. Additionally, experienced radiographers may be promoted to head technician or even department supervisors, especially if higher education in areas such as health administration is pursued.
Salary
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2008 the average salary of a radiographer in the United States was just over $52,000 a year. The bottom 10 percent of radiographers earned about $35,000 per year, while the top 10 percent made nearly $75,000 annually.
Job Outlook
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of radiographers will grow by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018. As the cost of imaging technology decreases, more and more clinics and smaller medical offices will be able to afford to offer their patients radiology services in their offices. As more offices offer these services, the need for qualified radiographers should remains high.
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References
- Photo Credit Fractura de Radio image by Cano from Fotolia.com
