How to Become a Registered Radiographer
Radiographers are medical technicians responsible for taking X-rays. They operate the X-ray imaging tools and also administer CT-scans to help diagnose medical conditions. They usually work in hospitals or in private medical practices and, although they usually don't analyze the X-rays, they are responsible for safeguarding the patient during the process. Radiographers are also called X-ray technicians, radiographic technologists or radiological technicians.
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Instructions
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Graduate from high school. You will need a high school diploma or its equivalent before you can pursue a career as a certified radiographer. Try to choose classes in biology, chemistry and anatomy, if possible.
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Enroll in a two or four-year radiography program. Schools of health sciences, technical schools, community colleges and some online colleges offer programs that will qualify you to become a certified radiographer. During your course of study, you will work with radiographic equipment and complete part of your training in a hospital radiography department. At this stage, you may decide to learn therapeutic radiography, which will train you to administer radiography to cancer patients.
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Pass the licensing exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Application fees for the licensing exams range from $150 to $300.
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Apply for a state license. Most states require radiographers to be licensed, and in some states, such as California, you are required to show proof of continuing education before your license will be renewed.
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Apply for jobs as a certified radiographer. You can work in hospitals, nursing homes, medical centers and rehabilitation centers.
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Tips & Warnings
Radiographers must be prepared to work weekends and nights and to work under stressful conditions.
Be sure to check the school's accreditation before enrolling. The school should be accredited by the Joint Review Committee of Education in Radiologic Technology.
