| A Radiologic technologist performs all types of | | | | periods, lift and turn disabled patients, and move |
| imaging procedures, most commonly x-rays. They | | | | heavy equipment. Full time x-ray technologists are |
| also administer non-radioactive isotopes known as | | | | required to work for about 40+ hours a week, |
| contrast media for diagnostic purposes. Radiologic | | | | part time and shift work opportunities are also |
| technologists are also known as radiographers or | | | | available. Most of the employers prefer to hire |
| x-ray techs. They provide a high standard of | | | | technologists with formal training. It is mandatory |
| patient care, prepare patients for examinations, | | | | by law to be certified to work as radiologic |
| and explain procedures. Radiologic technologists | | | | technologist and in 2007, 40 states required |
| have a thorough understanding of anatomy, | | | | licensure for practicing. The ARRT (American |
| positioning, radiographic exposure, patient care and | | | | Registry of Radiologic Technologists) offers |
| radiation protection. | | | | voluntary certification. |
| Radiologic technologists follow physician’s | | | | Radiographers are primarily employed with |
| orders and conform to the regulations concerning | | | | hospitals, followed by physician offices, medical |
| the use of radiation to protect themselves, the | | | | laboratories, outpatient imaging centers and |
| patients and co workers. With experience | | | | government agencies. Radiologic technologists held |
| radiographers perform complex procedures such | | | | approximately 196,000 jobs in 2006 and their |
| as fluoroscopy, which is a real time x-ray | | | | employment rate is expected to grow by another |
| procedure used by physicians. Radiologic | | | | 15 to 20% by 2016. The average median annual |
| technologists can also specialize either in computed | | | | earnings for a radiologic technologist was $48,170 |
| tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging | | | | in 2006. |
| (MRI). CT scans use ionizing radiation, while MRI | | | | Radiographers with expertise in multiple diagnostic |
| scans use non-ionizing radio frequency to generate | | | | imaging modalities are likely to have better |
| images. Radiographers may also specialize in | | | | employment opportunities and with experience |
| mammography, angiography, surgery, trauma, | | | | the likelihood of being promoted to supervisor, |
| and bone density to name a few. | | | | chief technologist and finally the department |
| This profession requires good physical stamina, as | | | | director. |
| radiographers are required to stand for long | | | | |