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